Nylon Spur Gears – PA, POM, PEEK, M1-M12, DIN 6-9, Custom

Nylon spur gears are the most widely specified plastic gear type in industrial and commercial machinery. Made from nylon (PA — polyamide), a strong and durable thermoplastic, they carry the same straight-toothed spur gear form that projects radially from a cylindrical gear body — transmitting power and motion between parallel shafts in a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, self-lubricating package. Korea Ever-Power supplies nylon spur gears across a broad material range (PA, POM, UHMWPE, ABS, PTFE, PPS, PEEK) and a wide module series (M1 through M12 and non-standard), to ISO, DIN, ANSI, JIS, BS, and non-standard specifications.

Nylon spur gears have a lower coefficient of friction than metal gears, generating less heat and noise during operation. They are less likely to damage mating components because they are softer than metal gears — a design property used intentionally when the nylon gear is the sacrificial wear partner in a mixed metal-plastic gear pair. Precision DIN 6–9 covers the full range from high-accuracy automation drives to standard-grade industrial equipment.

Lightweight

Nylon PA66 has a density of approximately 1.14 g/cm³ — about one-seventh of steel (7.85 g/cm³). A nylon spur gear is 85% lighter than an equivalent steel gear at the same module and tooth count. In battery-powered equipment, the weight saving reduces the total system weight and extends battery life. In high-speed drives, the reduced rotational inertia lowers energy consumption during each acceleration cycle.

Corrosion Resistant

Nylon does not rust, oxidise, or corrode in the presence of water, dilute acids, or most organic solvents. In outdoor machinery, coastal equipment, food processing environments, and washdown applications, nylon spur gears maintain surface quality and dimensional integrity without any protective coating — eliminating the coating maintenance cycle required by steel gears in these environments.

Low Coefficient of Friction

Nylon's friction coefficient against steel is approximately 0.2–0.4 — much lower than dry steel-on-steel (0.8) and comparable to lubricated metal gear pairs. This means nylon spur gears running against steel or nylon counter-gears generate less frictional heat, reducing power loss and extending gear life in moderate-speed, moderate-load applications. External lubrication can further reduce friction but is often unnecessary in light-duty drives.

Lower Operating Noise

Nylon's high internal damping coefficient absorbs vibration energy at the tooth contact and converts it to heat rather than airborne sound. The acoustic result is measurably lower gear noise compared with metal spur gears of the same module running at the same speed. In power tools, appliances, and small machinery where operational noise affects user perception of quality, nylon spur gears deliver a tangibly quieter product.

Protects Mating Components

Because nylon is softer than metal gears and mating housing structures, nylon spur gears wear preferentially rather than damaging harder mating parts. This sacrificial wear property is engineered into designs where the nylon gear is the cheapest and most accessible part to replace — allowing the more expensive metal components to remain in service for a longer life.

Limitations to Consider

Nylon spur gears have a lower maximum operating temperature than metal gears (PA6: 100–110°C) and may not be suitable for high-speed or high-torque applications. They may wear faster than metal gears under heavy loads or in abrasive environments. Moisture absorption in PA causes slight dimensional change — allow for this in bore fit design, or specify POM for moisture-critical bore dimensions. Korea Ever-Power can advise on the appropriate material for the specific duty cycle.

Automatic Controlling Machines

PA spur gears M2–M5 in PLC-controlled machinery and automated production equipment. Low friction reduces wear in the continuous duty cycle of industrial automation. DIN 7–8 accuracy ensures consistent indexing and position control.

Semiconductor Industry

POM or PEEK spur gears M1–M3 in wafer handling robots, semiconductor test equipment, and cleanroom automation. Non-outgassing materials (PEEK, PPS) required in vacuum or cleanroom environments. No metal particle contamination from gear mesh.

Medical Equipment

PEEK spur gears for sterilisable and implant-adjacent medical devices. PA or POM for general medical instrument drives where corrosion resistance, quiet operation, and self-lubrication are required. No metallic debris risk at the patient interface.

Solar Energy Equipment

PA spur gears in solar tracker drives — panel tilt and azimuth adjustment mechanisms. Corrosion resistance in outdoor UV and rain exposure. Low friction reduces tracking motor power demand. No lubrication maintenance required for the service life of the solar installation.

Parking Systems and Machine Tools

PA spur gears M3–M8 in automated parking system gate drives, barrier mechanisms, and machine tool index tables. Moderate load capacity at low to medium speed suits these applications where the gear operates in daily cycles but not continuous duty.

High-Speed Rail and Aviation

PEEK or PPS spur gears in auxiliary mechanism drives in high-speed rail vehicles and aircraft — specifically for passenger seat adjustment, galley equipment, and door actuators where the combination of low weight, high temperature tolerance, corrosion resistance, and non-magnetic properties is required.

Which is better for spur gears: Nylon (PA) or POM?

The better choice depends on the specific operating conditions. POM is superior where dimensional stability in varying humidity is essential — it absorbs only 0.2% moisture vs PA6's 1.5–3%. POM also has higher surface hardness and lower friction. Nylon (PA) is superior where impact resistance is the priority — it absorbs shock without cracking under sudden load, while POM can fracture. PA also has a slightly higher continuous temperature rating. For dry environments where dimensional precision matters most (printers, cameras, instruments), choose POM. For environments with impact loads, power tools, and conveyor systems where humidity is less critical, Nylon PA is the standard choice.

Can nylon spur gears mesh with steel gears?

Yes — a nylon spur gear can mesh with a steel spur gear of the same module and pressure angle. The mixed pair is common in drives where the steel gear is the driver (e.g. motor pinion) and the nylon gear is the driven wheel — the nylon gear absorbs impact at engagement and wears preferentially, protecting the steel pinion. Running a nylon gear against a steel gear with a smooth, hardened surface (Ra ≤ 0.8 μm) reduces the nylon wear rate significantly compared with a rough machined steel surface. In food processing applications, a nylon wheel running on a stainless steel pinion is a hygienic and maintenance-free combination.

What DIN accuracy grade do nylon spur gears achieve?

Korea Ever-Power produces nylon spur gears to DIN 6, 7, 8, and 9. DIN 9 is the standard accuracy for general-purpose nylon gears produced by milling or hobbing from plastic stock — adequate for most industrial and commercial applications. DIN 7–8 is achievable by CNC hobbing with controlled cutting parameters — suitable for automation and positioning applications. DIN 6 is achievable by post-machining grinding of the tooth flanks on harder plastic grades (POM, PEEK) — specified for servo drives and precision equipment where transmission error must be minimised.

Are non-standard module nylon spur gears available?

Yes — Korea Ever-Power produces non-standard module nylon spur gears to customer drawings. Non-standard modules are common in replacement gear applications (where the original gear was manufactured to a non-metric or proprietary standard) and in new designs where the required centre distance and gear ratio combination cannot be achieved with a standard module series. Send the drawing with the module, tooth count, bore, and face width, and we will confirm production feasibility and lead time.

What is the sample cost and who pays for express shipping?

Sample price ranges from USD 2 to USD 100 depending on the configuration complexity, material, and quantity. The express shipping cost for samples is paid by the customer — the cost is typically reimbursable once the customer places the production order. Korea Ever-Power can advise on the most economical express shipping route from China for the sample delivery. Contact our team with the drawing and required material to receive the sample quotation.

"We manufacture automated conveyor systems and switched from metal to PA Nylon spur gears M3 from Korea Ever-Power. Operating noise dropped by approximately 4 dB at 1,000 rpm. We run the PA gear against a smooth hardened steel pinion — the nylon wheel shows consistent wear at our 6-month inspection and is replaced as the planned service part, while the steel pinion remains unchanged."

Kim Dong-su  |  Conveyor Systems Engineer, Incheon Packaging Automation  ·  Q1 2026

"We source PEEK spur gears M2 DIN 7 from Korea Ever-Power for semiconductor wafer handling robots. Zero metallic particle generation confirmed at our cleanroom particle count test. The PEEK gears pass our 200°C thermal cycling test (50 cycles) with no measurable dimensional change. Sample lead time 20 days as quoted."

"We supply solar panel tracker drives and use PA nylon spur gears M4 from Korea Ever-Power. Three years of outdoor operation in coastal UV and salt spray — no corrosion, no dimensional change measurable at our annual inspection. No lubrication required throughout the installation service life. DIN 8 accuracy specified; confirmed on gear measurement report."

Park Seon-woo  |  Solar Tracker Drive Engineer, Busan Renewable Energy Systems  ·  Q2 2026

"We design aircraft seat adjustment mechanisms and specified PEEK spur gears M1.5 DIN 7. Korea Ever-Power confirmed PEEK was within their production capability at M1.5 and produced samples within 20 business days. The PEEK gears pass our 260°C short-duration temperature test (simulating extreme cabin fire proximity) with no deformation. Non-magnetic confirmed by Feritscope measurement."

Choi Ji-won  |  Aircraft Interior Mechanism Engineer, Daejeon Aerospace Components  ·  Q3 2025

"We import nylon spur gears M1–M5 across multiple materials (PA, POM, ABS) for distribution to machine builders in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Korea Ever-Power supplies from a single order across all modules and materials with consistent packing (plastic bag + carton). L/C payment accepted — essential for our cross-border procurement process. Bulk order fulfilled within 25 business days as quoted."

Yoon Sang-min  |  Import Manager, Seoul Industrial Parts Distribution  ·  Q1 2025