Introduction
The fabrics, nylon, and polyester have an origin that dates back to the 30s and the 40s. Both the fabrics, nylon and polyester are very durable in nature. The light-weight synthetic fibres have properties that involve features like wrinkle resistance, stretch resistance, easy-care, along shrink resistance. These two are very sustainable solutions as well as alternatives to natural fibres. They have some unique characteristics which can, sometimes, make it harder to decide between nylon or polyester.
So, how did these fabrics come into existence? Wallace Carothers is the one who is credited as the discoverer of nylon fabric back in 1935. Until the Second World War, it was not even available for public use. But, it is a must know that the fabric was in extensive use for the military. They were used as tents and parachutes.
On the other hand, Polyester was discovered during the early 1940s. But it started gaining popularity amongst the masses only in the 1950s.
Being significant as synthetic fibres, nylon and polyester are available in a wide range and even used in our daily lives quite extensively. But, why is that? Well, to know that, you must keep reading on for further information.
Nylon
Let us first talk about nylon fabric in detail. Nylon belongs to a group of synthetic polymers termed aliphatic polyamides or thermoplastics that are petroleum derivatives. The discovery of nylon was driven by the necessity to replace weak natural fibres with something strong and durable like silk. Initially used for military purposes, the uses of nylon have diversified. Now it is the second most commonly used fabric after cotton.
Preparation of Nylon
Nylons are condensation copolymers and are prepared by reacting equal parts of a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine. Nylon 6, 6, made up of monomer units hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid is the most common variant of this synthetic fibre. Each monomer is present alternately in the copolymer forming the repeating unit and each contributing six carbon atoms to the polymer chain. The final nylon structure is the result of the following reaction:
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Properties of Nylon
There are many properties of the nylon fabric, which include the following:
They have a dense molecular structure
These are extremely elastic
They are very resilient and durable
Nylon is an abrasion-resistant fabric
The fabric is water-resistant in nature
Nylon fabric has resistance to stains, heat, UV rays, and chemicals
There is resistance to mould and mildew
The fabric is one that dries quickly
Uses of Nylon
Nylon is a fabric that has many applications in our daily lives. Some of them are:
The fabric is used for car components that are close to the engine
It is used for making toys and many other plastic utilities
The fabric is used for making swimwear as it is known for its waterproof nature
The resins of the Nylon fabric are used for perfect food packaging
This fabric is used for tents, ropes, tires and various other military supplies
Properties of Polyester Fibre
There are a few properties of the Polyester Fibre that one must know of:
The fibre is strong, resilient, and durable
It is very resistant to stretching and shrinking
The fibre has resistance to many chemicals
The fibre dries very quickly
One can expect it to be wrinkle-resistant
There is a good resistance to moulds, abrasions, and mildew from this fibre
The fibre is able to retain heat-set pleats
The fibre is recyclable
Uses of Polyester Fibre
There are a few applications of the Polyester fibre such as the following:
Polyesters are a popular choice to make several types of apparel. Examples of polyester clothing include shirts, pants, jackets, hats, and more.
Home furnishings such as bedsheets, bedspreads, curtains, pillows, carpets, and upholstered furniture are mostly made from polyester fibres.
The industrial uses of fibre like polyester include video and audiotapes, polyester films for food packaging, conveyor belts, electrical insulators, liquid crystal displays, among others.
Polyester also comes in handy for making products like PET bottles, pianos, guitars, threads, hoses, sails, and high-strength ropes.
Polyester
Now let's define polyester, discuss the source of polyester, and the polyester fabric uses. Like nylon, polyesters are a group of synthetic compounds that can be knitted or woven into a fabric. Polyester became a popular textile fabric in the 1950s and is now widely used for industrial and decorative purposes as well. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and PCDT are the two most commonly used polyesters today.
Preparation of Polyester
So how is polyester made? The formation of polyester involves a chemical chain reaction. In the first step, purified terephthalic acid (PTA), monoethylene glycol, and dimethyl terephthalate react to form bis terephthalate. Finally, PET is formed on heating the bis terephthalate. Being exceptionally malleable, PET can be combined into thin, long, and unbroken fibres. There are two types of manufactured polyester – filament yarn and staple fibre. The following polymerization reaction obtains the final polyester structure:
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Properties of Polyester Fibre
Now let's talk about some characteristics of polyester fibres:
Strong, resilient, and durable
Resistant to shrinking and stretching
Resistant to several chemicals
Dries quickly
Wrinkle-resistant
Resistant to abrasions, moulds, and mildew
Can retain heat-set pleats
Can be recycled
Uses of Polyester Fibre
Some applications of polyester include:
Polyesters are a popular choice to make several types of apparel. Examples of polyester clothing include shirts, pants, jackets, hats, and more.
Home furnishings such as bedsheets, bedspreads, curtains, pillows, carpets, and upholstered furniture are mostly made from polyester fibres.
Industrial uses include polyester films for food packaging, video and audiotapes, electrical insulators, liquid crystal displays, capacitors, conveyor belts, etc.
Polyester also comes in handy for making products like PET bottles, pianos, guitars, threads, hoses, sails, and high-strength ropes.
FAQs on Nylon and Polyester
1. How do Natural Fibres Differ from Synthetic Fibres?
The differences between natural and synthetic fibres are:
Source: All types of natural fibres are procured from natural sources, but synthetic fibres are entirely human-made.
Form: The length of natural fibres cannot be manipulated, and they come in filament or staple form. Synthetic fibres are found in filament form, can be converted to staple, and spun into the desired length.
Spinning: Natural fibres do not require spinning for filament production. But spinning is needed for filament production in synthetic fibres.
Yarn production: While yarn production of natural fibres does not require chemical solutions, synthetic yarns are produced by using solutions of chemicals.
Purity: Natural fibres may harbour dust and impurities. Synthetic fibres are free from impurities.
Durability: Natural fibres are not as durable as synthetic fibres.
Dyeing: Natural fibres can be conveniently dyed, but synthetic ones do not take up colour easily.
2. What is the Difference Between Nylon and Polyester?
The following are the bases of differences between nylon and polyester:
Chemical nature: While nylon is a polyamide, polyester is a polyethene naphthalate.
Manufacture: Nylon is prepared as a liquid followed by mechanical spinning and drying into individual fibres. Polyester is made into threads from chemical solutions.
Wearability: Nylon has low moisture absorbency, and polyesters are wrinkle-resistant.
Durability: Nylon fabrics are unusually durable, abrasion-resistant, as well as resistant to many chemicals and oils.
Flammability: While nylon first melts followed by rapid burning, polyesters melt and burn simultaneously.
Environmental impact: Most nylons are made from the byproducts of oil refineries hence contributing to efficient waste management. While polyesters are non-biodegradable and recyclable but not really obtained out of commercial waste management programs.
Appearance: Nylons have a lustrous appearance, and polyester fabric is slightly slick.
Effect of sunlight: Nylon fades quickly on exposure to the sun. Polyesters bind dyes strongly and remain unaffected by the sun's radiations.
3. Is nylon stronger than polyester?
Nylon and Polyester, as you may or may not know, are synthetic fibres. Although the two materials have many attributes in common including the one where they share the same physical properties, there are a few differences that separate them. One such property is the strength of both the fibres. It is much known that Nylon is considered to be a much stronger fibre than Polyester. Other than this, the former is also one that is slightly softer in feel than the latter.
4. Are the nylon and polyester fibres breathable?
Yes, breathability is definitely the case with the two fibres - Nylon and Polyester. Both the fabrics are known for their light weightedness as well as how they can be used for athleisure. There is a lot of demand for synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which are widely used for activewear. The reason for this is that they both are able to absorb moisture like sweat and are good at drying really quickly. This makes them highly breathable, no matter if you are going to a gym or casually hanging out.
5. Is nylon a good fabric for summertime?
Yes, when it comes to wearing a comfortable fabric during the summertime, Nylon is always the best option. Being a synthetic material, fibre is known for its coolness, especially in the summers. Its features involve its design that is particularly done in order to repel water. The fabric is the ultimate one when it comes to wearing it as part of one’s athleisure, all thanks to its ability to absorb sweat and keep one fresh throughout the day.
