Nylon and Polyester are fibres manmade in the laboratory via different chemical reactions. They both are synthetic fibres. In this article, you will learn about Nylon vs. polyester, what fibre is nylon made from, what fibre is polyester made from, their composition, structure, dyeing techniques, usage and advantages and disadvantages of nylon and polyester.
Nylon Knitted Fabric
Polyester Knitted FabricComposition and structure of Nylon fibres
Nylon is a manmade fibre made from petrochemicals. The common type of nylon 6,6, is composed of adipic acid & hexamethylene diamine. The monomers make a huge molecule called polymer and the process is called polymerization and form a long chain polyamide. The strong hydrogen bond between the amide group gives high strength and elasticity to nylon.
Advantage of Nylon
- Nylon is a very elastic fibre and has exceptional strength which makes it more suitable for usage which requires more durability and flexibility.
- Nylon has the best abrasion resistance which makes it suitable for those items used in sportswear and industrial usage.
- Nylon absorbs more moisture than polyester which makes it more comfortable to wear in any condition.
Disadvantage of Nylon
- Not suitable for outdoor applications because it degrades when exposed to ultraviolet light.
- Nylon is more expensive than polyester.
- Requires a longer drying time than polyester because it absorbs moisture.
Nylon Dyeing Techniques
Acid dyes can make ionic bonds with the amide groups of polymer chains so nylon fibres are usually dyed with acid dyes. The following dyes steps are involved in nylon dyeing.
- Preparation of nylon fibre for dyeing or pretreatment of nylon fabric:
The fabric which is made from nylon is cleaned and its impurities to make it fit for the dyeing process.
- Preparation of dye bath
First of all, you will have to make a solution of acid dyes in water and have to adjust the required pH of the dyes.
- Dyeing step
You will have to submerge the nylon fabric in the dye bath and start heating at the required temperature. The dye molecule will penetrate and make an ionic bond with amide groups of the nylon fabric.
- Rinsing after dyeing and finishing
After completing the required time of dyeing, you will have to rinse the fabric to remove excess dyes and then apply the finishing chemical to improve its performance and overall appearance.
Usage of Nylon Fabric
There is a wide range of usage of nylon fabric due to its strength, elasticity and abrasion and pilling resistance. Some usage is below:
- Wear: Nylon is used in the preparation of different types of articles used to wear during sports, swimming and outdoor uses.
- Articles for different uses: Nylon is also used in conveyor belts, fishing nets, and ropes due to its high strength.
- Carpets and Rugs: It’s the best choice for rugs and carpets due to its durability and resistance to tear.
Composition and structure of polyester
Polyester is a polymer made synthetically from polyethene ( PET ). When the monomers of glycol and terephthalic acid are react with each other, it makes a huge polymer chain composed of an ester functional group the process is called polymerization and that ester functional group gives it polyester characteristic properties. Polyester has a crystalline structure which takes parts in their strength and durability.
Polyester Structural FormulaAdvantages of Polyester
- Polyester is strong and durable so you can use it in a wide range including clothing, industrial fabrics and home textiles.
- It is ideal for outdoor applications such as outdoor awnings because it can resist ultraviolet radiation.
- 3) It is less expensive than nylon which makes it a cost-effective option.
Disadvantages of Polyester
- It absorbs less moisture than nylon which makes it less comfortable to wear in summer and humid conditions.
- Environmental significant impact due to the use of petrochemicals.
- Polyester is subject to static electricity buildup.
Polyester Dyeing Techniques
Polyester is always dyed by using disperse dyes which are nonionic and can penetrate to the hydrophobic fibres of the polyester. Below are the polyester dyeing steps.
- Polyester preparation or pretreatment:
In this step, the impurities attached to the surface of polyester fabric are removed and clean the surface which make it ready for dyeing.
- Dye bath preparation
Disperse dyes are not completely soluble in water so make a solution of disperse dyes in water and add a dispersing agent to ensure the even distribution of dyes on the surface of fabric and decrease the chances of dye patches.
- Dyeing: Heat the dye bath solution at about 130 degrees centigrade to penetrate the dye molecule on the fabric and hold it in place by a kind of force called the van der Walls force.
- Rinsing and finishing: Rinse the dyed fabric to remove extra dyes from the dyed fabric which will decrease the colorfastness issue and apply finishing agents to improve performance and the overall appearance of the fabric.
Usage of Polyester
Due to strength, cost-effectiveness and durability, polyester fabric is used in a wide range of applications in textile industries such as:
- Home textiles: Use in different articles of home textiles such as bed linens, curtains, and upholstery.
- Apparel: Polyester is used in clothing such as casual wear, formal wear, and active wear due to resistance to shrinking and wrinkles.
- Industrial use: Polyester is used in seat belts, tarps, and geotextiles due to its resistance to ultraviolet rays and extraordinary strength.
Nylon vs Polyester
Skin similarity: Nylon absorbs more moisture than polyester which makes it more comfortable to wear in certain conditions. Polyester causes skin irritation compared to nylon.
Breathability: Nylon is more breathable and comfortable to wear than polyester because nylon can retain moisture while polyester can’t.
Warmth: Polyester can retain warmth during wet conditions too but nylon can’t.
Environmental protection: Polyester is easily recyclable than nylon which helps to decrease environmental pollution.
Conclusion
Nylon and polyester are synthetic fibers having different qualities which make both for different kinds of usage. You should prefer nylon over polyester when strength, elasticity and abrasion resistance are required. If you want to decrease the cost of the material, you should choose polyester. Both polyester and nylon have their advantages and disadvantages and you should choose between both as per your requirements.
FAQs
What is polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fibre of manmade fibre which is not found naturally.
What is nylon fiber?
Nylon is a synthetic composed of polyamide made by a polymerization reaction.
What is the difference between nylon and polyester?
As per the chemistry of both polyester and nylon, polyester contains carbon-hydrogen rings while nylon is a longer polymeric chain. Physically nylon is stronger than polyester.
Which one is eco-friendly, polyester or nylon?
Polyester is more eco-friendly than nylon because polyester requires less energy than nylon during preparation.
Which one you should choose for everyday use between polyester and nylon?
Due to cost-effectiveness and moisture-wicking properties, you should prefer polyester over nylon.