What Is Nylon?
Nylon is a plastic resin called polyamide synthesized from petroleum that is melted and processed into a fiber.
It was developed by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (duPont) of the United States in 1935 and has been used mainly as a material for women’s stockings since its industrial production.
Polyester is also well-known as a synthetic fiber resin and ranks first in terms of production volume, followed by nylon.
Nylon is the second most common synthetic fiber resin. It is easy to dye and is used in a wide variety of applications, mainly in clothing.
Uses of Nylon
Developed based on the concept of “thinner than spider silk and harder than steel,” nylon is used not only for general clothing but also for space suits, including the famous Apollo space suits.
Because of its high strength, it is also used in various places other than clothing.
It is used as a material for bags, fishing lines, ropes, and other products that will not break with the slightest pull, regardless of their thickness.
Characteristics of Nylon
There are various types of nylon synthesized from polyamide. Two of the most famous are nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.
Nylon 6 is made through a ring-opening reaction of ε-caprolactam, while nylon 6,6 is made through the polymerization reaction of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.
Both nylons are durable, lightweight, stretchable, and moisture-absorbent. However, nylon 6 is often used for daily necessities such as clothing due to its excellent dyeability.
Nylon 6,6, on the other hand, has superior mechanical strength and heat resistance compared to nylon 6. Therefore, it is used for industrial products that require greater strength.
Nylon is as strong as polyester in terms of heat resistance, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance.
However, nylon is superior in moisture absorption and dyeability.
Both characteristics are essential for clothing.
The disadvantage is that they are susceptible to ultraviolet rays, which may cause discoloration if left in sunlight for long periods of time.