WHAT IS NYLON? Fabric Guide & Uses

What is nylon? Nylon is a synthetic polymer that is usually used as a material for making various kinds of apparel and consumer products. Nylons are entirely synthetic, which means there are no traces of any organic material used to manufacture them.

What is Nylon

Nylon is a silky fiber-like material that is made by linking synthetic polymers with a compound called amide. This material is considered a thermo-softening plastic or thermoplastic, which means that with a certain height of temperature, the nylon fibers will be moldable or pliable and solidify once it cools back down.

History of Nylon

During World War II, parachutes were in demand and people were looking for alternatives to the fibers of hemp and silk. Nylon was first produced in the DuPont Experimental Station by Wallace Carothers on the 28^th of February in 1935. It was then patented within the same year. Carothers did not expect his product to actually have widespread use in various items like fishing lines, lingerie, and even toothbrushes.

The production of nylon was highly complicated, so much so that it required three of DuPont's research departments to manufacture the fiber successfully. These were the department in charge of researching and making rayon, the department in charge of ammonia, and the chemical research department. High-pressure chemistry was used as a means to produce the critical components of nylon.

What is Nylon Uses

What is nylon's purpose? The popularity of nylon quickly rose because of its numerous applications and the durability it possesses. After the end of the Second World War, there was a shortage of silk and cotton. To address this, someone made use of the parachutes made from nylon to repurpose them as dresses and other clothing apparel.

Nylon has a ton of different uses. It can be used as a clothing material, and it can also be used to make fishnets or machinery parts. It can even be used for industrial equipment. Here are some of the examples where nylon is being used.

Clothing - Different types of garments, raincoats, swimwear, underwear, cycling wear, and even some shirts are made up of nylon.
Machinery parts - It can be used for bushings, fittings, rivets, threaded components, and even washers.
Industrial equipment - It can also be used for parachutes, nets, ropes, thread, tarps, tents, conveyor belts, seat belts, windbreakers, and linings.

The main reason nylon is very sought after for various applications is its affordability, durability, and lightweight. Unlike regular plastic, nylon has a higher heat resistance and insulation. Thus, it won't melt or deform so quickly compared to plastic. Nylon is also considered to be very resistant to corrosion.

Is Nylon Eco-Friendly?

Despite the many advantages that nylon holds over other materials, it still doesn't take away the fact that it is not great for the environment. Since nylon is purely synthetic, it means that it definitely isn't biodegradable. It can persist in the environment for an indefinite amount of time.

Additionally, nylon is significantly affecting the marine environment. According to recent studies, nylon fishing nets are considered one of the top sources of microplastics in the ocean.

Aside from this, the production of nylon is as harmful as nylon itself. To be able to produce nylon, a by-product must be released onto the environment. What is nylon's by-product? Nitrous oxide is the by-product of producing nylon. It has been known that this chemical compound is one of the main reasons for the greenhouse effect that we are currently experiencing in our world.

What is Nylon - Pros vs. Cons

Just like anything on our planet, nylon also has its pros and cons. Despite the cons that nylon may have, the pros of using it still outweigh the other.

what is Nylon Pros

With that said, here are some reasons you may consider nylon to be the best fiber ever.

Nylon is very elastic - Nylon is considered to be one of the few textile materials that's very elastic. Due to the elastic nature of nylon, it is widely mixed with other types of fabric to produce stretch.
Nylon sheets' durability is superb - If you are looking for a durable bedsheet that won't get wrinkled quickly, you need to find sheets made entirely of nylon. What are nylon sheets? Nylon sheets are synthetic sheets made primarily out of nylon threads.
Nylon is a material that boasts versatility - What made nylon rise to fame is none other than its versatility. Since nylon is all-synthetic, manufacturers can add any features that are required. Applying dyes to nylon is also extremely easy to do. Most of our plastic materials and products nowadays have been possible thanks to nylon.
Nylon fabric has a high moisture absorption property - Due to the moisture absorption properties of nylon, it has been widely used for sports apparel. Nylon is said to be a lot breathable than its other counterparts.
Nylon bedding is light and soft - Due to nylon threads' softness, it has become an excellent material for bed sheets and the like. What is nylon bedding? This is a lightweight type of bedding with nylon as its primary material.
Nylon threads' durability is out of this world - What is nylon's best trait? It is none other than its durability. Even a single thread is durable enough to withstand loads of pressure. The threads made from nylon are the perfect material for making any gear that is fit for rugged adventures. What is nylon thread? Nylon thread is actually just thread made out of nylon. It is used mainly for sewing things that require high durability and elasticity.
Nylon has a resistance to static - If you love pets, this is the perfect material for your clothes because it doesn't produce any static. Humans aren't usually bothered by static electricity, but our pets may beg to differ.
Almost any nylon product is reliable - Since nylon is so durable, any type of clothes, equipment, or anything made up of nylon is pretty much reliable.
Nylon fabrics are resistant to any stains - Any liquid spills that may damage your standard fabric are not a problem with nylon fabric. Any stain is easily washable with this fabric type.

What is Nylon Cons

Although nylon is pretty useful, it is bound to have some cons as well. With that said, here are some of the problems you might encounter when using nylon.

Nylon is expensive compared to other synthetic fibers - Compared to the other synthetic product that you can find in the market, nylon is more expensive. This is because the manufacturing process and chemicals used in nylon are not easily attainable. However, nylon still proves to be cost-efficient because it has a longer lifespan than any other polymer product.
Nylon and the products of nylon are not good for the environment - Because of its synthetic properties, nylon won't degrade quickly. The way the product is manufactured is also a source of pollution.
Nylon is combustible - Due to the thermoplastic properties of nylon, it can quickly burn or melt. Most synthetic products like nylon also give off a toxic fume when burned. When cooking or conducting any activities involving high heat, it would be best to get any nylon products far away from the heat source.

What Is Nylon and Its Types

As nylon is a synthetic product, it has many types and purposes. Here are the kinds of nylon that are available today:

What is Nylon 1,6? -Nylon 1.6 is a type of nylon that is made up of water, adiponitrile, and formaldehyde.
What is Nylon 510? - This type of nylon is made up of sebacic acid and pentamethylene.
What is Nylon 6? - A type of nylon that was developed by Paul Schlack so that it won't violate the patent.
What is Nylon 66? - This type of nylon comprises two different kinds of monomers that both have six carbon atoms.
What is Nylon Monomer? - These are made by mixing hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid.

What is Nylon – In Conclusion

Nylon is a great durable material that has become a central element for many different kinds of products. The only thing that is bad about nylon is the amount of pollution it gives to our environment. If nylon is appropriately maintained and managed, the pollution might not be of a significant amount. Overall, if you want to have an affordable and durable material for your clothes or any product that requires plastic, nylon is the go-to material for you.