MEET NYLON
FROM:
Petrochemicals, specifically adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine. In simple terms chemicals made from oil.
IS IT SUSTAINABLE?
No, but it is a highly recyclable material.
IS IT DURABLE?
Yes.
IS IT BREATHABLE?
No.
IS IT WARM?
Not on its own.
HISTORY:
Nylon was invented by a team of scientists at the chemical company DuPont led by Wallace Carothers. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, they were researching synthetic fibers as alternatives to silk, which was in high demand but expensive and scarce. The first commercially successful fabric, known as nylon 6,6, was introduced by DuPont in 1938. It was named “nylon” as a combination of “New York” and “London,” representing the two locations where significant research and development took place.
It quickly gained popularity due to its exceptional properties. Initially used as a replacement for silk in various applications, such as women’s stockings (nylons), parachutes, and military gear during World War II. In the post-war era, nylon found applications in many consumer and industrial sectors. It was used in apparel, carpets, toothbrush bristles, fishing lines, tire cords, and more.
Over time, scientists made nylon even better by changing how it’s made, creating different kinds like nylon 6, nylon 4, and nylon 12, each with special uses. Nylon is made from petrochemicals, and its production requires non-renewable resources and energy-intensive processes. However, it is a highly recyclable material, and efforts have been made to increase its sustainability by promoting the recycling and reuse of products.
Nylon continues to evolve, with ongoing research and development to improve its performance and sustainability. This includes the development of bio-based or partially bio-based nylons made from renewable resources like castor oil. It has had a significant impact on many industries and everyday products since its introduction, and its applications continue to expand as new variations and technologies emerge.
PRODUCTION PROCESS:
The process starts by combining specific building blocks to create the material. These building blocks, known as monomers, are adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine. They are mixed together under controlled conditions and undergo a high-temperature process called condensation polymerization. This creates long chains of nylon, forming the basic structure.
Next, the material is melted and pushed through tiny holes in a metal plate called a spinneret. As it comes out of the spinneret, it forms continuous threads of nylon, known as filaments.
These nylon filaments are quickly cooled, either by using a cooling chamber or by direct exposure to air or water. This rapid cooling turns the threads into a solid state, giving them their final shape.
To make the threads even stronger and more durable, they go through a process called drawing or orientation. This involves stretching the threads under controlled tension, aligning the molecules to increase their strength.
After drawing, the threads are exposed to high temperatures while under tension, a process known as heat-setting. This helps the threads retain their stretched form and improves their stability.
The continuous threads can be cut into shorter fibers of the desired length, known as staple fibers. These staple fibers may undergo additional treatments, such as dyeing, printing, or adding coatings, to enhance their performance and appearance.
Finally, the nylon staple fibers or continuous filaments are spun into yarns using various spinning techniques, like ring spinning or open-end spinning. These yarns can then be further processed and woven or knitted into fabrics for various uses.
