1. What’s Nylon fabric
Nylon is a synthetic fiber, derived from coal, water and oil. Nylon fabrics are considered one of the most useful synthetic fibers in the world. Travelers often use nylon as a fabric because it is smooth, lightweight and very durable.
Nylon is a man-made fiber that is durable, strong and hard-wearing. The market demand is so great that the United States alone produces about 8 billion pounds of nylon each year, and other countries such as China and Japan are also major producers of nylon. We can no longer live without nylon fabric. It is in great demand worldwide.
Being a flexible fiber, it can be modified into any shape during the melt phase of manufacture.
2. Varieties of Nylon
There are several types of nylon. The different types have different numerical suffixes to indicate the amount of carbon.
Nylon 6 and 66 are the two most common types used in the textile industry because of their high strength and durability.
Nylon 6 is made from a monomer called caprolactam. It has high impact resistance and quick-drying properties and is therefore also easy to dye.
Nylon 66 consists of hexamethylenediamine, six carbon atoms and adipic acid. It is characterized by its resistance to sunlight, good coloring strength and high abrasion resistance.
To sum up, Nylon 66 is more suitable for industrial products, while Nylon 6 is the textile industry’s first choice.
3. What are the properties of Nylon as a textile?
- Strong and resilient
- Good color retention
- It dries quickly and retains its shape as the fiber is non-absorbent and smooth
- Low breathability
- Elastic, abrasion-resistant
- Resists dirt very well, is relatively heat and UV and chemical resistant
- High temperatures can melt nylon. Care is needed when ironing
- With proper care, nylon fabrics can retain their whiteness without the need for any bleaching
- Easy to wash and wear
- Resistant to mold, mildew, insects, and fungi
The interesting part:
- Nylon fabrics do not absorb water, but they do absorb oil and grease
- It resists soiling, but once an oily stain has penetrated, it can be difficult to clean
- Nylon surfaces can be waterproof and made water-resistant by coating
- Nylon is low cost but more expensive than polyester
- Nylon fibers can be spun as fine as silk
4. Pros and cons
4.1 Pros
Nylon is a great choice as a backpacking material for a number of reasons.
Elasticity
Compared to other materials, nylon is very elastic, so it can hold large amounts of luggage without breaking. It can also regain its original shape after stretching without any wrinkles or creases. Normally, when this material is stretched, the fibers become thin and soft but still retain their strength.
Low water absorption
Nylon is essentially impervious to water, so if water or any other liquid falls on it, it will quickly roll off the surface, so the nylon material will stay dry. For trips to tropical areas, nylon backpacks are ideal, as other backpacks made from water-absorbent materials can easily get soaked and can damage the items stored in them.
Easy to clean
One aspect of nylon that stands out is its ease of cleaning and resistance to washing. Dirt does not adhere to the smooth surface of the fabric, so it can be washed off quickly with water or wiped with a damp cloth. Nylon retains its original shape and appearance after washing, but care should be taken to avoid using hot water during the cleaning process, as high temperatures can cause the nylon fabric to wrinkle.
Anti-mold
Unlike other materials, nylon is 100% resistant to mildew and fungus. It is also resistant to insects as well as to alkalis in the environment.
Durable
Nylon is a strong material that does not lose its durability over time; it is one of the lightest and strongest textiles at the same time. This fabric has excellent abrasion resistance. It retains its smooth appearance for a long time.
4.2 Cons
Lack of breathability
Nylon is water-resistant, so it will be poorly ventilated. If you want good breathability, cotton is the best.
Environmental concerns
As nylon fibers are not biodegradable, they pose a threat to the environment. Any product made from fossils is bad for the environment. Statistics show that nylon fibers do not degrade naturally in a short time and take at least 50 years.
Not suitable for summer
Because of the impermeability of nylon, heat and moisture are difficult to disperse into the environment. It may be that nylon is perfect for winter, but they are not suitable for summer environments. If you store certain items in your nylon backpack during the hot season, such as perishable food, they can easily be damaged by overheating.
Easily damaged by bleach
Nylon will melt when exposed to bleach. Nylon is less resistant to acid reactions, which can damage the delicate fibers. You should therefore avoid washing your nylon rucksack with any bleach as it can quickly damage the fabric.
Stains easily
Nylon is extremely susceptible to staining if it is mixed with other fabrics during the washing process. In addition, they should therefore be washed separately from other fabrics. They also quickly absorb color and dirt from the water used for washing and can be difficult to remove.
5. Conclusion
Nylon fiber is very strong and flexible. It is even stronger than polyester fabric. Nylon fiber is very tough and easy to clean. The manufacturer can dye it in an impressive variety of colors. But it is less breathable and not biodegradable. No fabric is perfect, only the one that suits you is the best, so have you decided which fabric to use for your backpack? The question of what is nylon fabric should not be a problem for you now, right?
