Nylon is a fabric commonly used in the garment industry. It was originally introduced as an alternative to silk due to its durability and low price. Nowadays, it is popular among manufacturers of sportswear, socks, and other form-fitting wearables due to its lightweight and elastic nature. In this article, we will discuss Nylon’s properties, which are helpful for lab researchers or textile designers, before choosing it for mass production.
What is Nylon Fiber?
Nylon is a synthetic polyamide fiber produced through Petrochemical extractions. These extractions are combined with amide linkages, resulting in a thermoplastic polymer. This polymer is melted and extracted via spinneret in a spinning process to form a fiber.
Fiber Analysis in Textile Lab
Nylon fabric is soft, silky, and smooth, with a relatively lustrous and bright appearance. In textile labs, fibers are properly identified and analyzed for authenticity. For this purpose, a fiber burn test and chemical analysis are performed. These tests help identify blended fiber ratios with other natural or synthetic fibers.
Fiber Burn Test
This is a simple and time-saving method with quick results. For this test, follow the following steps:
- Take a square fabric swatch of 1 inch and remove loose or hanging threads.
- With the help of tweezers, ignite the sample.
- Observe the sample’s burning behavior. Pure Nylon produces a blue flame and moves away from it. It melts and has a strong burning smell, similar to plastic. It keeps burning even if the ignition is stopped.
- Observe the residue. Nylon forms a hard, bead-shaped ash with a white or grey color.
- Take fabric samples from different areas and repeat the process for identification.
The burn test is helpful for fiber identification if the fabric is composed of 100% of nylon. Normally, nylon is blended with other fibers in different proportions, making it difficult to recognize.
If a fabric is blended with other fibers, chemical analysis is the best way to identify it.
Fiber Chemical Analysis
For this analysis, AATCC 20 is followed. This test method describes chemical, physical, and microscopic techniques for identifying textile fibers, both natural and synthetic. In this qualitative method, a fabric sample is placed in a specific solvent for a particular time at a specific temperature and observed for its solubility. Fiber is identified by its dissolving behavior.
For the chemical analysis test, follow the following steps:
- Take a small fabric swatch and completely unravel it. Unraveling is not necessary, but it helps the solvent to be completely absorbed into the sample.
- Weight the sample and record it.
- Prepare a solution of formic acid with 85% concentration. You can also use a hydrochloric acid (HCL) solution with a 20% concentration. For 10 mg of sample fiber, prepare 1 ml of solution.
- Place the sample in a beaker and pour the solvent over it.
- Conduct the test at 20⁰C. For the HCL solution, keep the sample for about 20 minutes, and for the formic acid solution, keep the sample for about 5 minutes.
- Examine the sample. If it dissolves in a solvent, it will be nylon. If it partially dissolves, weigh the remaining sample after drying and calculate the nylon ratio.
- If a fabric consists of a blend of 2 or more fibers, use AATCC 20 for different solvent formations, which helps in finding the fiber ratio.
Nylon Vs Polyester
Nylon is considered a synthetic polymer, designed to be a synthetic substitute for silk, generally known for its high strength and better elasticity. On the other hand, polyester is just another form of synthetic polymer known for its longevity and low level of stretching or shrinking. Both polyester and nylon are synthetic fibers with different chemical compositions. Both fibers are widely accepted in sportswear. Nylon has more elasticity (can stretch up to 33%), strength, and stretch than polyester. It is used widely for women’s stockings, swimwear, tracksuits, and sportswear. On the other hand, it has poor abrasion properties and pills easily.
Both have distinctive advantages and disadvantages. Nylon is exceptionally stronger than polyester, which makes it more applicable to industrial use, such as tire cords, hoses, and conveyor belts. In contrast, polyester is utilized for industrial purposes, such as power belting. Because of its durability and water-resistant characteristics, nylon is mostly used for outdoor gear and outwear.
In moisture handling capability, polyester holds more power than nylon as it is hydrophobic. A material that repels water and dries quickly. This hydrophobic nature of polyester makes a great choice for outdoor wears. In the case of the softness of fabric, nylon is way better softer than polyester, which offers a stretch and smoother feel. In comparison to the breathiness of both fabrics, nylon shows less breathability than polyester, which causes discomfort in hot-weather environments. Polyester is breathable, which makes the wearer dry and comfortable even during intense physical activity.
When exposed to heat, nylon is less resistant than polyester, which is considered to be more suitable for cold weather. The production of nylon requires more energy and intensive heat with a significant amount of water than that of polyester, but both fabrics are non-biodegradable and contribute to increasing microplastic pollution.
FAQs
How to differentiate nylon from polyester?
The best way to identify is by chemical analysis. Nylon dissolves in formic acid, while polyester remains insoluble in it.
How to dye nylon?
Nylon is dyed using acid dyes. Due to its uneven molecular structure, it can have uneven dyeing problems. Nylon needs a low dyeing temperature (90-105⁰C) compared to polyester, which needs a high temperature (115-135⁰C). This makes their dyeing cost-effective and time-efficient.
Can nylon withstand high temperatures?
Yes, they can withstand temperatures of nearly 200⁰C without melting. But for ironing nylon fabric, the ideal temperature ranges from 80 to 130⁰C.
Which should be preferred; Nylon or Polyester?
In terms of cost perspective, breathability, and blend, polyester is a favorite choice among manufacturers. Nylon is preferred due to its stretchiness, strength, and durability.
What are the disadvantages of Nylon?
Due to their synthetic origin, nylon and polyester are harmful to nature and are not biodegradable or sustainable. As plastic polymers, they release microplastics and persist in the environment indefinitely.
Related Resource
Nylon VS Polyester: Features and Differences