Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically

as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research

facility at the DuPont Experimental Station. Nylon is one of the most commonly used polymers.
ylon is a thermoplastic, silky material, first used commercially in a nylon-
bristled toothbrush (1938), followed more famously by women'sstockings ("nylons"; 1940). Nylon
is made of repeating units linked by amide bonds and is frequently referred to as polyamide (PA).
Nylon was the first commercially successful synthetic polymer. There are two common methods
of making nylon for fiber applications. In one approach, molecules with an acid (-COOH) group on
each end are reacted with molecules containing amine (-NH2) groups on each end. The resulting
nylon is named on the basis of the number of carbon atoms separating the two acid groups and
the two amines. These are formed into monomers of intermediatemolecular weight, which are
then reacted to form long polymer chains.
The first approach: combining molecules with an acid (COOH) group on each end are reacted
with two chemicals that contain amine (NH2) groups on each end. This process creates nylon 6,6,
made of hexamethylene diamine with six carbon atoms and adipic acid.

The second approach: a compound has an acid at one end and an amine at the other and is
polymerized to form a chain with repeating units of (-NH-[CH2]n-CO-)x. In other words, nylon 6 is
made from a single six-carbon substance called caprolactam. In this equation, if n = 5, then nylon
6 is the assigned name (may also be referred to as polymer).

The characteristic features of nylon 6,6 include:

 Pleats and creases can be heat-set at higher temperatures

 More compact molecular structure
 Better weathering properties; better sunlight resistance
 Softer "Hand"
 Higher melting point (256 °C/492.8 °F)
 Superior colorfastness
 Excellent abrasion resistance

On the other hand, nylon 6 is easy to dye, more readily fades; it has a higher impact resistance, a
more rapid moisture absorption, greater elasticity and elastic recovery.

Characteristics

Variation of luster: nylon has the ability to be very lustrous, semilustrous or dull.

Durability: its high tenacity fibers are used for seatbelts, tire cords, ballistic cloth and
other uses.

High elongation

Excellent abrasion resistance

Highly resilient (nylon fabrics are heat-set)

Paved the way for easy-care garments

High resistance to insects, fungi, animals, as well as molds, mildew, rot and many
chemicals

Used in carpets and nylon stockings

Melts instead of burning

Used in many military applications

Good specific strength

Transparent to infrared light (−12dB)[3]

Use in composites
Nylon can be used as the matrix material in composite materials, with reinforcing fibers like glass
or carbon fiber; such a composite has a higherdensity than pure nylon. Such thermoplastic
composites (25% glass fiber) are frequently used in car components next to the engine, such as
intake manifolds, where the good heat resistance of such materials makes them feasible
competitors to metals.