Page 47 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Nylon
Nylon, so called because it was a collaborative effort between teams in New York and London, is not a single product but a family of fabrics called polyamides (a chain of amides).
Each form of nylon is made by causing an
acid and another chemical called an amine to
join in chains of compounds called amides. (For
a representation of a typical reaction to create nylon, see page 14. For a laboratory demonstration showing nylon being made, see pages 32 and 33.)
To make nylon, the acid and the amine (a base) are reacted to produce a salt called nylon salt. It is dried and heated under vacuum to remove water. The polymer is turned into a filament by melting it and then forcing it through a spinneret.
Nylon is exceptionally strong, elastic, and resistant to wear – especially from scuffing by shoes. It has a sheen, is easy to wash, does not easily react with other chemicals, and is not easily damaged. It can also be dyed either in the melted state or when made into a filament. Nylon does not absorb water,
and it feels reasonably soft, warm, and lightweight.
(Above) The strength of nylon is demonstrated in its use for hook and loop fasteners.
(Right) Strong open-weave fabrics can be made of
nylon and are often used as scouring pads.
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