GARCIA, KRIZZI EVE D.

#15 – GROUP 5 – 2CHEM1

Virtual Lab 2: Polyamide (Nylon)

Assignment:

1. Draw schematic diagram on the synthesis of the polyamide, Nylon just as you would write an
entry in your logbook.
Nylon is one of many man-made called plastics. Chemically, plastics are composed of chain-like
molecules of higher molecular weight, called polymers, which usually have been built up from
simpler chemicals called monomers. A different monomer or combination of monomers is used
to manufacture each different type or family of polymers. In this experiment, synthesis of nylon
using condensation reactions between a diamine and diacid. The mechanism involved the two
monomers that are both bifunctional. The first step in the reaction begins with the hydrogen
atom of the amine group belonging to hexamethylenediamine which is the the diamine forms a
hydrochloric acid molecule with the chloride from the acid functional group. The remaining
adipoyl chloride molecule and the hexamethylenediamine molecule will join together to form a
larger molecule polymer. The molecule formed has an acid group at one end and an amine
group at the other is the newly formed nylon unit.
 Schematic Diagram of the Procedure

2. What are the differences in the chemical structures for different kinds of Nylon? Show the
structures and starting materials of Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6 and Nylon 10.
Nylon 6 has only one kind of carbon chain which is six atoms long. It's made by a ring opening

polymerization from the monomer caprolactam.

For Nylon 6,6, it is made from the monomers adipoyl chloride and hexamethylene diamine. The strong
chemical bond between the two forces gives Nylon 6,6 a more crystalline structure, making it slightly
stiffer and better equipped to handle more heat than Nylon 6. Both polyamide 6.6 and polyamide 6 have
a high tensile strength but polyamide 6.6 is able to absorb water and whereas polyamide 6 has

enhanced elasticity. Both are tough and have resistance to abrasion.

While Nylon 10, has ten carbons connected in a straight chain. It is an AA-BB polyamide that is made in a
polycondensation process of sebacic acid and decamethylene diamine.

Sebacic Acid Nylon 10

Decamethylene diamine

3. What are the practical applications of polyamides?

Polyamides are used by various industries like transportation, electronics & electrical, consumer
goods, building & construction and packaging. The two most widely used polyamide are by far
PA66 and PA6. They are often extruded to manufacture fibers (textile industry) or films
(packaging), or injected. The Polyamides with the highest performances are PPA and PA46,
which are good candidates for metal replacement developments or very specific applications
exposed to extreme conditions. Bio-based polyamides are also available. For instance, PA11 is
based on castor-oil chemistry. While nylon fibers which account for more than half of the
polyamides manufactured, are produced in a variety of forms, as textile filament (for clothing),
as carpet filament and as industrial filament (for example, for ropes).
4. Give commercial examples of nylon.
Common products we use today such as sleeping bags, rope, seat belts in cars, parachuting
material, tubing hose, tarpaulin and dental floss may be made of Nylon. The polyamides
(nylons), in particular 6 and 6,6 are used in engineering plastics. Nylon is arguably the most
versatile material available for applications.

References:
Polyamide (PA) or Nylon: Complete
Guide (PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12...) $neo(document).ready($neo(function ()
{ $neo('.starAvg').rating(); $neo('.starAvg').rating('select', "4.5");
$neo('.starAvg').rating('readOnly', true); })); (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2020, from
https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection- guide/polyamide-pa-nylon
Staff, C. M. (n.d.). Everything You Need To Know About Nylon (PA). Retrieved May 6, 2020, from
https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/3d-printing-injection-molding-cnc-nylon-
plastic-pa