"Synthetics" in outerwear. Nylon is a special material, and not a substitute for natural fabrics

Modern synthetic fabrics are solid competitors to natural materials. Synthetics are added to natural fibers to create new, sustainable types of fabric. One of the most popular representatives is nylon. IN pure form nylon is used to make outerwear and casual wear, hosiery, military goods, things for hiking and sports.

Nylon has a very interesting story creation, many positive properties and great practical possibilities. Easy care and low cost make the fabric invariably popular and affordable for any family. You can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of nylon from this article.

History of creation

American chemist Wallace Hume Carothers first discovered nylon in 1935 while working for the chemical company DuPont. Or rather, at first it was an experimental polymer that did not immediately go on sale. But after 3 years, the invention outgrew its development status, entered industry and won the hearts of consumers.

Initially, Carothers' research had no practical purpose; he was simply exploring a new area of chemistry. The company believed that new substances that could be obtained would certainly bring benefits. It was noted that some molten polymers stretch greatly and form thin threads. This phenomenon was studied in detail, and a method of making a material was soon discovered, which was called “nylon”.

As the project progressed, George Grace supplanted Carothers, and his team of engineers and chemists worked diligently to perfect the new material. As a result, women's stockings, toothbrushes with nylon bristles and strong fabric for parachutes were revealed to the world. The special properties of the material made it possible to make an American flag from nylon, which Neil Armstrong planted on the Moon. Nylon is considered one of the most sought after fabrics in the world.

The word "nylon" is considered artificially created. According to one version, the name is formed by the first letters in the names of the cities of London and New York. The idea goes like this: (N)ew-(Y)ork and (Lon)don form the word nylon. There is also an opinion that the name is an abbreviation of New York Lab of Organic Nitrocompounds or a copyright word created by DuPont.

Manufacturing technology

Nylon is made from polyamide - a synthetic plastic based on polymers. The basic raw materials are amides and acetic acids. After a difficult chemical reaction substances produce thin and strong fiber from which fabric is made.

The process of making nylon consists of the polymerization of raw material molecules (that is, the formation of a polymer) or in a chemical reaction between monomers (these substances form polymers). The resulting substance is stretched until a thin and strong fiber is obtained, which is then spun into threads.

The finished fibers are used to make both nylon fabric and an additive to other textile materials. The fabric is formed by perpendicularly interwoven fibers. Depending on the weave pattern, the properties of the fabric may vary slightly.

Pure nylon does not stretch, so Lycra (elastane) is added to make the fabric more elastic.

Also considered a type of nylon:

Ripstop is a tear-resistant fabric. The special cellular weave prevents the fabric from unraveling, even if it is pierced through.
Cordura differs from classic nylon in that the fiber is cut and twisted, rather than left whole. This procedure increases the strength of the material.
Coated nylon - the fabric is impregnated with silicone or polyurethane so that the fabric repels moisture. This material is ideal for the manufacture of tourist equipment - tents, backpacks, awnings.
Mixed fabrics with nylon - a natural back and nylon front side allow you to combine the best properties of synthetic and natural materials.

Is nylon safe?

Sometimes the word “synthetics” sounds like a death sentence. It seems like something hard sticks to the body under the influence of static electricity and irritates the skin. Nylon is 100% synthetic fabric. The only “fault” of this material is its chemical production. However, chemical origin does not mean that the material was created from toxic or poisonous materials, it’s just that science, not nature, worked to create the fibers.

In fact, synthetic additives increase the life of natural fabrics, retain their shape, prevent wrinkles and save time on using an iron. In order not to be afraid for the condition of your skin and not to think about allergies, synthetic items can be worn over natural fabrics to protect from wind and bad weather. For example, nylon jackets are suitable even for allergy sufferers, because all “side effects” can only occur with prolonged contact with bare skin.

Nylon fibers are added to natural fabrics to improve their performance. Don't be afraid of the word "synthetic". Nylon is a safe material, but you need to purchase and use it responsibly, read the composition on the label and check the skin reaction.

Before purchasing the item, be sure to try it on. It is necessary to “listen” to the sensations, check the quality of the fabric by touch, and study the composition on the label.

Material characteristics

Nylon is a smooth, lightweight fabric that is pleasant to the touch. Externally, the material resembles natural silk, but its cost is much lower. Among the advantages of the material are:

Affordable price - nylon is presented in sufficient quantities on the market so that it can be freely purchased for daily use. Making fabric does not require painstaking manual labor or collecting rare natural materials.
Wear resistance - the material retains its color and does not rub off during frequent use, and does not thin out in places where there are occasional creases.
Lightweight and durable - despite its delicate structure, nylon is difficult to tear.
Unpretentiousness - does not require special conditions of care and storage, dries quickly, does not need to be smoothed.
Shape stability - retains its shape, does not deform, stretches and fits the figure favorably.
Protection from cold and wind - this is not a warm material, but it does not allow cold air to pass through.
Variety of colors - the fabric is easily dyed, which allows you to sew products of the most varied designs from it.
Aesthetic appearance- thanks to the soft shine of the fabric, nylon products are attractive and modern.

Unfortunately, polymer fabric has a number of disadvantages:

possible allergic reaction and itching upon contact with sensitive skin;
cannot withstand high temperatures (drying near heaters, washing in hot water prohibited);
does not absorb moisture and does not allow air to pass through well (in hot weather, wearing a nylon T-shirt will be uncomfortable and damp, but these properties are ideal for jackets);
deteriorates under the influence of chlorine;
is highly electrified (this problem can be solved with an antistatic spray).

Positive and negative qualities nylons balance each other. This fabric remains practical and in demand for almost a century.

What is nylon made from?

Due to its practicality and ease of care, a huge variety of useful things are made from nylon. There are two types of this material - household and industrial.

From household nylon they sew:

lingerie (slips, nightgowns, panties and bras);
socks, stockings, tights (despite their thinness and lightness, nylon products successfully protect the legs from the cold);
casual clothes (T-shirts, pants, dresses);
jackets and windbreakers;
backpacks;
tourist and sports equipment;
workwear (aprons, protective overalls);
home decor items (curtains, curtains, bedspreads);
various cases.

For industrial needs, nylon is rarely used in its pure form. It is reinforced with fiberglass or reinforced with graphite to increase strength. Industrial nylon is used for films, bushings, coatings, liners, and guitar strings.

During wartime in America, tents and body armor were made from nylon, cables and panels for parachutes were made.

Analogues and modifications

Nylon turned out to be such a successful invention that it soon acquired improved versions and various modifications. For example, polyamide 6, better known as polycaprolactam, was synthesized in 1938 by Paul Schlack, a chemist from Germany. This material had almost all the capabilities of nylon, but was made from phenol. The resulting fabric was called “perlon” - it was an analogue of silk.

In the middle of the 20th century, perlon appeared in Russia and began to be called “kapron”. It is currently believed that Polish silon, Japanese amylan, perlon and nylon are all different names for the same nylon.

Kevlar, a durable fabric that can stop bullets, differs from nylon by just one group of atoms in its composition.

Washing things in warm water(up to 30 °C) manually or in washing machine. If the temperature is higher, the fabric may shrink and become deformed.
Use gentle powders and avoid bleaches.
You can squeeze it manually or in a machine.
Dry products naturally, avoiding direct sunlight.
There is no need to iron the fabric, but in case of emergency, light ironing through a damp cloth at low temperatures is allowed.

White nylon items must be washed separately from dark and colored ones, otherwise they will instantly turn gray.

Thanks to the smoothness of nylon fibers, any dirt can be easily washed off the surface of the fabric. To refresh clothes after wearing, you can even rinse them in cold water with powder.

Thus, nylon is an amazing synthetic material that has firmly held its position in the textile market since the first half of the last century. Chemical research turned out to be so successful that it was possible to obtain a lightweight, durable, elastic, wear-resistant fabric that can be used in completely different areas.

Clothes are sewn from nylon, parts for industry and goods for musical instruments. Nylon fibers can strengthen natural fabrics, and also be woven into an independent durable fabric.

A huge list of advantages of the material outweighs the small number of disadvantages that can be dealt with at home. Clothing made from this fabric is available, sold in many stores, and has a pleasant appearance. The material is easy to dye, so nylon products come in a wide variety of colors.

Caring for the fabric is simple and does not require special skills, but before washing the item, it is still better to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are indicated on the label.

Content:

Polyester and nylon are the two most popular synthetic material. Despite all their external similarities, they also have significant differences.

Application, advantages and disadvantages of nylon

The raw material for the production of nylon is adipic acid mixed with hexamethylenediamine and solvent. This mixture is heated, resulting in the formation of plastic, and from it nylon threads are produced.

There are types of nylon used in manufacturing. ABOUT usually they come in like compound component in more complex materials, or supplemented with graphite or fiberglass. To the common consumer it is better known as a material suitable for sewing sportswear, roomy bags and stockings.
Nylon material is light, durable, elastic, does not lose its shape under the influence of moisture and many chemical substances. Smooth to the touch, shiny, when applied to the surface of another product, can seriously improve its attractiveness.

This material also has disadvantages:

is quite electrified;
poorly permeable to air;
wearing nylon items for a long time causes discomfort;
allergic

Many experts agree that polyester the most common synthetic material of our time. Insulation for winter outerwear, bed and underwear, fillers soft toys. This and much more can be found in stores labeled “polyester.”

Its main properties of polyester:

weakly susceptible to physical influences;
easy to wash;
dries quickly;
quite light, relative to natural materials, but loses to nylon in this regard;
mold and insects are not a threat to the material;
does not retain odors

Cons of polyester

Chemical bleaches are contraindicated; May be an allergy trigger. Perhaps to the same extent as nylon. Electrification. Synthetic fibers accumulate static electricity. Easily removed with an antistatic agent.

Polyester and nylon, difference and general properties

To briefly summarize, both materials are durable, cheap, easy to wash, and do not interest insects. Unfortunately, both can provoke an allergic reaction.

Now about the differences

	Polyester
Made from adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine	Made from polystyrene, a petroleum byproduct
Exposure to ultraviolet light	Ultraviolet exposure has no effect
Lighter	Heavier
Does not absorb liquid	Material absorbs liquid
Smoother	Rougher

Nylon

Nylon structure

Nylon(nylon-66, polyamide 66 - nylon, English. nylon; nylon-6, polyamide 6 - nylon) is a synthetic polyamide used primarily in the production of fibers.

There are two isomeric types of nylon: polyhexamethylene adipinamide (anide, nylon-66) and poly-ε-caproamide (nylon, nylon-6).

Synthesis and production

Also used to make guitar strings.

Story

The synthesis of 66-monopolymer (nylon) was first carried out on February 28, 1935 by W. Carothers, chief chemist at the research laboratory of the American company DuPont. This was announced to the general public on October 27, 1938.

There is a version that the word “nylon” comes from the names of the cities of New York and London (NYLON = N ew Y ork + Long don).
There is also an opinion that this word is an abbreviation for New York Lab of Organic Nitrocompounds, however, there is no reliable information about this. Webster's Dictionary says it is a made-up word. Douglas Harper's Etymological Dictionary states that the name was created by DuPont from a randomly selected generic syllable nyl- and ending -on, often used in fiber names (for example, nylon), originally taken from English word“cotton” (“cotton”).

Fibers

Natural (natural)

Animals

Modern synthetic fabrics are solid competitors to natural materials. Synthetics are added to natural fibers to create new, sustainable types of fabric. One of the most popular representatives is nylon. In its pure form, nylon is used for the manufacture of outerwear and casual clothing, hosiery, military goods, items for hiking and sports.

Nylon has a very interesting history of creation, many positive properties and great practical possibilities. Easy care and low cost make the fabric invariably popular and affordable for any family. You can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of nylon from this article.

History of creation

Nylon fabric and threads

Manufacturing technology

This is what polyamide looks like

Nylon is made from polyamide, a polymer-based synthetic plastic. The basic raw materials are amides and acetic acids. After a complex chemical reaction, the substances produce a thin and strong fiber from which fabric is made.

Pure nylon does not stretch, so elastane is added to make the fabric more elastic.

Also considered a type of nylon:

Ripstop is a tear-resistant fabric. The special cellular weave prevents the fabric from unraveling, even if it is pierced through.
Cordura differs from classic nylon in that the fiber is cut and twisted rather than left whole. This procedure increases the strength of the material.
Coated nylon - the fabric is impregnated with silicone or polyurethane so that the fabric repels moisture. This material is ideal for the manufacture of tourist equipment - tents, backpacks, awnings.
with nylon - a natural back and nylon front side allow you to combine the best properties of synthetic and natural materials.

Is nylon safe?

Nylon is synthetic

Attention! Nylon should not be worn in summer because it does not allow air to pass through and does not protect against overheating.

Nylon fibers are added to natural fabrics to improve their performance. Don't be afraid of the word "synthetic". Nylon is a safe material, but you need to purchase and use it responsibly, read the ingredients on the label and check your skin’s reaction.

Before purchasing the item, be sure to try it on. It is necessary to “listen” to the sensations, check the quality of the fabric by touch, and study the composition on the label.

Material characteristics

Nylon is a smooth, lightweight fabric that is pleasant to the touch. Externally, the material resembles, but its cost is much lower. Among the advantages of the material are:

Affordable price - nylon is presented in sufficient quantities on the market so that it can be freely purchased for daily use. Making fabric does not require painstaking manual labor or collecting rare natural materials.
Wear resistance - the material retains its color and does not rub off during frequent use, and does not thin out in places where there are occasional creases.
Lightweight and durable - despite its delicate structure, nylon is difficult to tear.
Unpretentiousness - does not require special conditions of care and storage, dries quickly, does not need to be smoothed.
Shape stability - retains its shape, does not deform, stretches and fits the figure favorably.
Protection from cold and wind - this is not a warm material, but it does not allow cold air to pass through.
Variety of colors - the fabric is easily dyed, which allows you to sew products of the most varied designs from it.
Aesthetic appearance - thanks to the soft shine of the fabric, nylon products are attractive and modern.

Unfortunately, even the amazing polymer fabric created by the genius of chemists has a number of disadvantages:

possible allergic reaction and itching upon contact with sensitive skin;
cannot withstand high temperatures (drying near heaters, washing in hot water is prohibited);
does not absorb moisture and does not allow air to pass through well (in hot weather, wearing a nylon T-shirt will be uncomfortable and damp, but these properties are ideal for jackets);
deteriorates under the influence of chlorine;
is highly electrified (this problem can be solved with an antistatic spray).

The positive and negative qualities of nylon balance each other. This fabric remains practical and in demand for almost a century.

What is nylon made from?

Due to its practicality and ease of care, a huge variety of useful things are made from nylon. There are two types of this material - household and industrial.

Outerwear is made from nylon: jackets

From household nylon they sew:

lingerie (slips, nightgowns, panties and bras);
socks, stockings, tights (despite their thinness and lightness, nylon products successfully protect the legs from the cold);
casual clothes (T-shirts, pants, dresses);
jackets and windbreakers;
backpacks;
tourist and sports equipment;
workwear (aprons, protective overalls);
(curtains, curtains, bedspreads);
various cases.

During wartime in America, tents and body armor were made from nylon, cables and panels for parachutes were made.

Analogues and modifications

Nylon guitar strings

Nylon turned out to be such a successful invention that it soon acquired improved versions and various modifications. For example, 6, better known as polycaprolactam, was synthesized in 1938 by Paul Schlack, a chemist from Germany. This material had almost all the capabilities of nylon, but was made from phenol. The resulting fabric was called “perlon” - it was an analogue of silk.

Kevlar, a durable fabric that can stop bullets, differs from nylon by just one group of atoms in its composition.

Care

Wash items in warm water (up to 30 °C) manually or in a washing machine. If the temperature is higher, the fabric may shrink and become deformed.
Use gentle powders and avoid bleaches.
You can squeeze it manually or in a machine.
Dry products naturally, avoiding direct sunlight.
There is no need to iron the fabric, but in case of emergency, light ironing through a damp cloth at low temperatures is allowed.

White nylon items must be washed separately from dark and colored ones, otherwise they will instantly turn gray.

Thanks to the smoothness of nylon fibers, any dirt can be easily washed off the surface of the fabric. To refresh clothes after wearing, you can even rinse them in cold water with powder.

Nylon is used to make clothes, parts for industry, and products for musical instruments. Nylon fibers can strengthen natural fabrics and also be woven into an independent durable fabric.

Caring for the fabric is simple and does not require special skills, but before washing the item, it is still better to read the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are indicated on the label.

Release of the program “About”:

Many people do not know what nylon fabric is and what is made from it. No wonder. Nylon production technology long years was classified. This material was first synthesized on February 28, 1935 in a secret laboratory of the American company Du Pont. Work on obtaining an artificial high-molecular compound, innovative for that time, continued for several more years, and the world learned about it only on October 27, 1938.

Today, nylon is used in a wide variety of manufacturing industries. But it is most widely used in light industry.

Externally, nylon fabric resembles natural silk. It is just as shiny, smooth and pleasant to the touch.

Bright shiny nylon

Despite its artificial origin, this material has many advantages:

Wear resistance. Even with long-term use and after repeated washings, nylon fabrics and curtains made from them look completely new, do not wear out or fade.
Ease. Nylon fabric is approximately 20% lighter than its natural counterpart - silk. So, for example, 7 l.m. nylon 1.6 m wide and 90 g/sq.m. weigh only 1 kg.
Strength. Nylon is almost twice as strong as silk and is resistant to tearing. Thanks to its unique combination of lightness and strength, during the Second World War all production of this material was aimed at the needs of the military industry.
Unpretentiousness. Nylon curtains wash well even in cold water, dry very quickly and do not require ironing.
Affordable price. Nylon looks like natural silk, but is much cheaper.

Unfortunately, the characteristics of nylon are not ideal. It also has disadvantages, mainly due to its artificial origin. The most significant of them are:

Low breathability. Synthetics “do not breathe” and do not absorb moisture well. Therefore, under clothing made from nylon fabric, it creates Greenhouse effect, and in a room with closed nylon curtains there is almost no air circulation.
Electrification. Like any synthetic material, nylon becomes quite noticeably electrified, and this is harmful to health.
Allergenicity. For people with particularly sensitive skin, nylon may cause an allergic reaction.

What is nylon fabric made of and where is it used?

The starting materials for the production of nylon are adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine. By reacting with each other, they form an AG salt, which is subsequently mixed with a solvent and heated. As a result we get special kind plastics - polyamide. It is the raw material for the production of the finest and very durable fiber.

Such fibers are used not only for the production of nylon, but are also actively added to various natural materials, thereby improving their performance properties. One of the most popular flock fabrics, consisting of 65% nylon and 35% cotton, its characteristics far exceed its 100% natural counterparts.