What is Polyamide (Nylon)?

Polyamide is a synthetic fiber with repeating amide bonds in its chain; in trade and everyday speech it is called nylon. The Turkish regulation on fiber names and labeling (Annex 1, no. 30; “the Turkish regulation” below) and the EU's Regulation 1007/2011 (Annex I, no. 30) reserve the name “polyamide or nylon” for fibers in which at least 85% of the amide bonds are attached to aliphatic or cycloaliphatic units. So polyamide and nylon are two names for the same fiber. DuPont publicly introduced nylon on October 27, 1938 with nylon stockings, and the Science History Institute describes it as the first commercially viable synthetic fiber. Today it is found in hosiery, underwear, swimwear, sportswear and carpets.

Nylon or polyamide?

The EU fiber-name list says “polyamide or nylon”, while the US rules use “nylon” (16 CFR 303.7). In Turkish the picture is similar: the TDK dictionary gives naylon as a general material word, a “durable and flexible casting material” (our translation), and has no result for poliamid, while the fiber list says poliamid veya naylon. So in a specification and a quote, write the full name and the type of the fiber, for example “polyamide (nylon 6.6)”.

Nylon 6 and nylon 6.6

Both types are polyamides; the numbers in their names refer to the carbon count of the monomer. Nylon 6.6 is made by condensation of hexamethylenediamine with adipic acid, nylon 6 from caprolactam (NPTEL; INFLIBNET). Both are spun from the melt. According to the NPTEL lecture notes, the melting point of nylon 6.6 is 40–45 °C higher than that of nylon 6, and the notes also describe nylon 6.6 as stiffer. Because the types differ, do not stop at “nylon” in a quote; ask which type it is.

Properties

• Mechanical behavior: A textbook describes nylon by its high elongation at break, high strength-to-weight ratio, very good recovery from deformation and good flex and abrasion resistance (INFLIBNET). The Science History Institute also mentions its strength, elasticity and resistance to mold.
• Form: It is spun as filament or staple fiber; the spun filament is drawn to about four times its original length so that it gains textile properties (NPTEL).
• Moisture: Annex 9 of the Turkish regulation accepts moisture allowances of 6.25% for staple nylon and 5.75% for filament when calculating fiber content; for polyester the value is 1.50% and for cotton 8.50%. These are commercial calculation values, not measurement results, but they show that nylon is a fiber with more moisture allowance than polyester and less than cotton.
• Static: Low moisture regain causes static electricity in synthetic fibers. A textbook lists, among permanent antistatic options, synthetic fibers (generally polyamide) with additives that increase hydrophilicity, and fibers with a carbon core or a metal-salt coating (INFLIBNET). FabricLink recommends a dryer sheet when drying nylon to reduce static.
• Dyeing and printing: Acid dyes color wool, silk and nylon; disperse dyes also color nylon (INFLIBNET). Settle the dyeing temperature with the dye house according to the dye and the fiber type. For printing methods suitable for nylon and nylon-specific film requirements, see the textile printing methods guide.

Where is polyamide used?

The INFLIBNET textbook lists nylon's uses in clothing as underwear, swimwear, sportswear, hosiery and gloves, and its home and industrial uses as carpets, upholstery, tire cord, hoses, conveyor belts, fishing nets, rope and tents. The Science History Institute writes that in November 1941 DuPont diverted nylon production to the military as a substitute for Japanese silk, and that in 1942 almost all nylon went into parachutes and tire cord. Fabric names do not tell you the fiber: chiffon can be woven from silk, nylon or viscose, an oxford bag fabric from polyester or nylon, and the teeth of a coil zipper are made of polyester or nylon monofilament (see the zipper types guide). You can find sock makers in the Socks and Hosiery category, swimwear makers in Swimwear and Beachwear and polyamide fiber suppliers in Textile Fibers.

Polyamide, polyester and aramid

Aramid is also a polyamide, but it is not counted as nylon: the US rules (16 CFR 303.7) say that in nylon fewer than 85% of the amide bonds, and in aramid at least 85%, are attached directly to two aromatic rings; the Turkish regulation lists aramid as a separate fiber name (no. 31). Elastane is also a separate fiber (segmented polyurethane); blends with polyamide exist, and the elastane entry has the details.

What to specify in a quote

1. Write the fiber name, type and form: for example “polyamide (nylon 6.6), filament”. Article 10 of the Turkish regulation requires the fiber names and weight percentages to be given in descending order. Regulation references rest on the 2015 text and an October 11, 2026 reading; verify the provision now in force in your target market with a regulatory specialist.
2. Write the filament yarn count: denier and dtex are used for synthetic and man-made yarns; do not confuse total denier with denier per filament. To convert, use the yarn count converter and the yarn count conversion guide.
3. Match the dyeing and printing method to the fiber: verify on a sample print whether options such as acid or disperse dyes, flexible film or sublimation are valid on nylon.
4. Tie care to the label. FabricLink lists machine washing in warm water, fabric softener in the final rinse, drying at low heat and removal as soon as it dries for nylon; for ironing temperature, follow the symbol on the label (see the care symbols guide).

Frequently asked questions

Is nylon fabric breathable?

Polyamide fabric cannot prevent sweating; the body cools by sweating and no fabric stops that. Nylon is a fiber with more moisture allowance than polyester and less than cotton (Annex 9 of the Turkish regulation: 5.75–6.25%, against 8.50% for cotton and 1.50% for polyester). This calculation value is not a measurement; comfort is determined by yarn, structure, weight and finish as well as the fiber. Ask for air permeability (EN ISO 9237) and water-vapor resistance (EN ISO 11092) values. More in breathable fabrics for summer.

Is nylon polyester?

No. Both are synthetic fibers, but they are different polymers: polyamide is defined by amide bonds and polyester by ester bonds (Turkish regulation Annex 1, nos. 30 and 35). Moisture allowances and dye classes also differ. Nylon and polyamide, on the other hand, are the same fiber; Annex 1 no. 30 says “polyamide or nylon”.

Does nylon fabric build up static?

Low moisture regain causes static electricity in synthetic fibers (INFLIBNET), and FabricLink recommends a dryer sheet when drying nylon. Polyamide fibers with additives that increase hydrophilicity are one of the permanent antistatic solutions (INFLIBNET); if your product has an antistatic requirement, ask for it with a test report.