Jin Hong Chemical Fiber

　　Nylon fabric is a common material in everyday life, often used for clothing, bed sheets, and other items. Yet, many people don't fully understand what nylon fabric is. So let’s take a closer look with me at the advantages and disadvantages of nylon fabric, and also discuss its breathability as well as the differences between nylon and polyester. Only by gaining a clear understanding of the specifics of nylon fabric can we make better use of it.

　　I. What is nylon fabric? Its advantages and disadvantages

　　1. What is nylon fabric?

　　Nylon, commonly referred to as "jinlun," is scientifically known as polyamide fiber and is a general term for polyamide fibers produced in China. It features high strength, excellent abrasion resistance, and good elasticity, making it suitable for both pure spinning and blending with other fibers to produce a wide variety of garments and knitted products. There are many varieties of nylon, including nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, and nylon 610; among these, nylon 66 and nylon 6 are the most important.

　　2. Advantages of nylon fabric

　　(1) Nylon fabric has many times greater abrasion resistance than other fiber fabrics of similar types, making it exceptionally durable.

　　(2) Nylon fabric has good moisture-absorbing properties, so clothing made from nylon is more comfortable to wear than clothing made from polyester.

　　(3) Nylon fabric is a lightweight textile suitable for making mountaineering clothing, winter apparel, and the like.

　　(4) Nylon fabrics have excellent elasticity and elastic recovery.

　　3. Disadvantages of nylon fabric

　　(1) Nylon fabric is prone to deformation under external forces, and therefore tends to wrinkle easily during wear.

　　(2) Nylon fabrics have poor heat and light resistance. During wear and use, pay attention to the washing and care instructions to avoid damaging the fabric.

　　II. How is the breathability of nylon?

　　How is the breathability of nylon? In fact, nylon fabric doesn't have great breathability, but it boasts excellent elasticity, high strength, good abrasion resistance, and moisture absorption. It's particularly well-suited for making windbreakers, down jackets, or mountaineering clothing. Adding natural fibers can improve its breathability—for instance, in fabrics made from nylon-cotton blends.

　　Clothes made from nylon have superior abrasion resistance compared to all other fibers—10 times better than cotton and 20 times better than wool. Even a small addition of polyamide fiber to blended fabrics can significantly enhance their abrasion resistance. When stretched by 3-6%, these fabrics can achieve an elastic recovery rate of up to 100% and can withstand tens of thousands of flexing cycles without breaking.

　　Nylon is the world’s first synthetic fiber, and “nylon” is another term for polyamide fiber (nylon). The emergence of nylon completely transformed the appearance of textiles. Its synthesis marked a major breakthrough in the synthetic fiber industry and also represented a highly significant milestone in polymer chemistry.

　　III. The Difference Between Nylon and Polyester

　　1. Stability

　　Polyester fabrics are wrinkle-resistant, crisp, dimensionally stable, and maintain their shape well. Nylon, on the other hand, lacks good shape retention and is not as crisp as polyester; it tends to deform easily.

　　2. Heat resistance

　　Polyester has a melting point of 260℃, and its ironing temperature can be as high as 180℃. Nylon has insufficient heat resistance; therefore, its ironing temperature should be kept below 140℃, but it exhibits good low-temperature resistance.

　　3. In terms of feel

　　Nylon fabrics have a smoother hand feel and higher surface luster. They are commonly used for sportswear, swimwear, fitness apparel, and socks.

　　4. In terms of performance

　　Nylon has high strength, excellent elastic recovery, exceptional abrasion resistance, and better moisture absorption and dyeability than polyester.

　　5. Chemical

　　Polyester is resistant to sunlight and acids but not to alkalis. Nylon is resistant to alkalis but not to acids; it has poor lightfastness, and prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause a decrease in fiber strength and yellowing of the color.