Nylon: everything you need to know about this textile fiber
Discovered by Wallace Carothers of the American firm DuPont, nylon is a synthetic fiber that, since 1935, has revolutionized the history of fabrics. Obtained from polyamides, this fiber is now used above all in the clothing sector, in particular sports and socks, due to its elasticity and resistance. All of us at home certainly have at least one garment made of nylon and we can confirm these characteristics that contribute to making it such a popular and widespread fabric. If you want to find out more about the history of this textile fiber, the origin of its name, its qualities and maintenance, you are in the right place. In fact, in this article we will provide you with all the information you need about nylon.
And speaking of fabrics, do you know how to dye them? Watch this video and find out!
What is nylon?
Nylon is a fabric, or rather a textile fiber, which is part of synthetic polyamides. During an advertising campaign dating back to 1940, nylon was described as a fiber "as strong as steel, thin as a spider's web, yet more elastic than all common natural fibers". It was obviously a commercial operation aimed at sponsoring this new fabric.
There are two types of nylon on the market, distinguished on the basis of the polymer used during production: nylon 6,6, which is obtained from the adipate of hexamethylenediamine and nylon 6, the result of cuprolactam. To these is also added nylon 11, obtained from castor oil. The number next to the name refers to the number of carbon atoms present within the molecule.
The history of nylon
This synthetic fiber was created in 1935 by the chemist Wallace Carothers, an employee of the American company DuPont de Nemours®. The latter, first, is able to synthesize the polyamides in order to obtain what we now know as nylon 6.6, obtained more precisely from adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine. It took two years before the DuPont project was patented and finally commercialized in 1939.
At first it was used in the production of a toothbrush with nylon bristles and, later, it was gradually adopted by the textile industry which, as early as 1939, used it for the manufacture of women's stockings. Thanks to this product, stockings become an accessory within everyone's reach and, twenty years later, it is even possible to manufacture seamless patterns. Today, nylon is mainly used in the manufacturing process of shirts, raincoats, underwear, swimwear, socks and sportswear. Since then, polyester, lycra and many other synthetic fibers have been added to nylon that have revolutionized the world of the textile industry.
The origins of the name
To date, there are several theories regarding the origin of the name nylon. Initially and more precisely in 1940, John W. Eckelberry, also employed at DuPont, declares that the letters "nyl" were the result of a random choice, while the suffix "-on" was selected to create continuity with the names of other fibers, such as "rayon" and "cotton" (cotton). However, later, DuPont makes a clarification and explains that initially this fiber should have been called "no-run", from "no" + "unravel", which means "unravel", to emphasize the resistance of the fabric. However, a more concise and harmonious name was eventually opted for.
Still regarding the history of the name nylon, there is a legend that this word would be the acronym of "Now You Lose Old Nippon", literally "Now you will lose, old Japan". The origin of this expression dates back to the Second World War and, in particular, to the conflict between the United States and Japan. The latter, in fact, had prohibited China from exporting silk to the United States, thus blocking the production of military parachutes, woven precisely with this material. As is well known, however, Americans are not the type to sit idle and immediately set about finding an alternative to silk, thus obtaining nylon.
The pros of nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fiber with multiple qualities. It is no wonder that its use is so widespread in the clothing sector and in other sectors. Let's find out together what are the advantages of nylon:
- Nylon fabrics dry quickly as nylon is a synthetic fiber that absorbs little liquids.
- It is soft, elastic and durable
- Absorbs and resists moisture
- It has an affordable price and for this reason, in the past, it has revolutionized the production and trade of women's stockings, guaranteeing an elegant and feminine accessory even to those women whose finances did not allow it.
The cons
However, all that glitters is not gold. Nylon isn't perfect either and has some flaws. Here are the cons of this fabric:
- It does not withstand high temperatures
- It is sensitive to light
- It spoils in contact with mineral acids
Nylon maintenance
And after discovering everything there is to know about this synthetic fiber, let's find out how to take care of it. Below, we offer you several tips on the maintenance of nylon garments:
- Nylon garments can be washed in the washing machine, with a low temperature program (to avoid making mistakes, always read the label carefully). When the cycle is done, take them out of the washing machine straight away.
- We advise you to wash the nylon garments together with those of black color, or in any case dark, and avoid mixing them with the colored or white ones, otherwise they could see their color changed.
- In most cases, nylon garments do not need to be ironed. If it were really necessary, the iron must not be too hot, otherwise the fabric risks melting: all nylon garments, in fact, are very sensitive to heat.
- To prevent nylon stockings from coming off in the washing machine, we suggest you wash them closed in a net so that they do not come into contact with other clothing.
- When drying nylon garments, do not expose them to direct sunlight. Being very sensitive, nylon could turn yellow.
