We explain what nylon is, how it was discovered and what are the different uses for which this polymer can be used.
What is Nylon?
It is known as nylon, nylon or nylon (the latter is the name of a registered trademark) to a type of polymer synthetic discovered in 1933 and used mainly as a textile fiber.
Nylon is a polyamide, that is, a polymer that contains amide chemical functional groups (RCONR'R '') and that has very particular physical properties, especially in terms of endurance, elasticity and transparency.
When subjected to high temperatures, it melts, greatly reducing its viscosity. Its melting point is approximately 263ºC and it is soluble in phenol and formic acid.
It emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as a war material to make parachutes and ropes, but it soon proved to be a viable substitute for rayon or silk, since it is immune to moths and does not require ironing, which is why it revolutionized the textile market feminine.
Nylon was also useful for making hard materials (brushes, combs, etc.) or for fishing lines, bristles, nets, etc., and today it is a highly demanded material, which is obtained industrially through the polycondensation of a diacid and an amine.
Name's origin
The commercial name of this product emerged during the WWII, and there are several possible explanations regarding its origin. One says it is a acronym between New York (acronym NY) and London (Lon), since its creative researchers came from one of each town.
Another explanation suggests that they used the initial of the name of each wife of the technical team that produced the material for the first time: Natalia, Yolanda, Laura, Olaya and Norma.
And another legend explains that Nylon comes from American nationalist exclamations against the Japanese, such as Now You Lousy Old Nipponese (which would be something like "There you go, lousy old Japanese") or Now You Lose Old Nippon ("Now you lose, old Japanese").
Uses of nylon
Nylon is currently used to make the following products:
- Fishing lines and nets.
- Zippers for textiles.
- Synthetic strings for guitar, piano and other instruments.
- Fan blades.
- Gears, screws and bearings for machinery.
- Automobile gasoline tanks.
- Stockings (the famous pantyhose, pantyhose or nylon stockings).