Polyamide (PA): Is it the same as nylon?

When polyamide (PA) — known as nylon — was
commercially introduced at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, it was billed as
“Thinner than spider silk, stronger than steel.” While it was a revolutionary
claim at the time, in the decades since its release, nylon has proven itself
indispensable and withstood the most demanding tests.  

Where did
polyamide come from?

Valued for their strength and lightweight,
natural fibers like silk were used extensively in textiles during the early
20th century. However, the onset of World War II caused a significant
disruption in the silk supply and highlighted the critical need for alternative
materials. Led by chemist
Wallace Carothers, DuPont had already been researching synthetic fibers.
In 1935, Carothers discovered PA66, which was commercially introduced in 1939.
By 1942, IG of Germany began producing PA6. Both were initially used as
synthetic fibers for textiles, but in the early 1950s, they found their way
into plastics.

What is polyamide? 

Polyamide resins
are linear polymers in which monomers are linked by polymerizing ε-caprolactam,
amide molecules derived from petroleum. The most used PAs are PA6 and PA66, but
many others have been developed. Each polyamide is named PA XX, with the XX
indicating the chemical raw material used.

PA material is
classified into three types:

What are PA
polyamide properties?

What’s
great about nylon is that it has excellent mechanical properties and is
easy to process, making it popular in a variety of fields beyond synthetic
fibers. Popular features include (but are not limited to):  

·        
Tensile
strength: Though it’s lightweight, some PA (aramid) has five times the strength
of steel

·        
Impact
resistance: The hard surface makes it less prone to wear and has ten times the
abrasion resistance of cotton

·        
Thermal
stability: Withstands very high temperatures without breaking down

·        
Versatility:
Can be processed into fibers, films and shapes using injection or extrusion
molding  

What is PA plastic
used for?

When nylon
was introduced in 1939, people saw it as a replacement for women’s stockings
and military parachutes. Thanks to continuing research and the properties
mentioned above, today nylon is popular across industries worldwide. You’ll
find nylon PA in things like: 

·        
Consumer
Goods: kitchen utensils, sporting goods, guitar
strings and food film

·        
Safety: Firefighting gear,
space suits, helmets, bulletproof vests

·        
Automotive:
Fuel lines, seat belts, accelerator pedals

·        
Military: Fiber
optic cables, parachutes, tactical gear, field tents

·        
Textiles:
Carpet, rugs, clothing

·        
Electronics:
Cable ties, insulation

·        
Medical:
Sutures, surgical instruments

·        
Construction: replacement for
asbestos and steel wires 

Polyamide FAQs

Q: What is
polyamide material? 

A: It is a
synthetic polymer used in plastics and textiles.

Q: Is
polyamide stretchy 

A: Yes, PA
is stretchy to a certain point.

Q: Does
polyamide shrink?

A:  It will shrink under some conditions.

Q: Is
polyamide toxic?

A: Under
normal conditions and in its final form, nylon PA is not toxic. However,
exposure to high temperatures or during manufacturing may emit harmful fumes if
not appropriately handled.

Q: Explain
the difference in polyamide vs polyester

A: Both are
made up of repeating units, but polyamide (nylon) uses amide bonds while
polyester uses ester bonds. Nylon is generally stronger than polyester and
absorbs more moisture, however polyester is more heat and chemical resistant. 

Q: Is nylon
a plastic?

A: Yes,
nylon is a thermoplastic because it can be molded into countless shapes.