{"id":6787,"date":"2020-12-04T10:00:53","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T10:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.contrado.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6787"},"modified":"2022-03-03T09:19:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-03T09:19:28","slug":"what-is-a-polyamide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.contrado.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-a-polyamide\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Polyamide? Simplest Explanation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019ve come across the word \u2018polyamide\u2019 and felt it go in one ear and out the other, don\u2019t worry! It may sound like a complicated word, but in truth it can be simple. This article will explain the question: What is a polyamide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, let\u2019s define what a polymer is: A polymer is lots of molecules which have linked together (think of a string). One molecule is called a monomer (meaning one); when there\u2019s more than one molecule linked together they are called a polymer (meaning many). Therefore, polyamide is a monomer linked to an amide bond, for example, a man-made compound like nylon. In this case, the string of molecules is linked together with nylon. In the same way, polyester is a monomer linked to a compound bond called ester. Polyamide fabrics tend to be categorised into two teams \u2013 artificial and natural \u2013 and have a huge variety of uses. In this guide, you\u2019ll find out what is a polyamide, as well as where the popularity of polyamide fabrics started and what the future looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of Polyamide Fabrics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As we mentioned before, in chemistry there are both natural and synthetic polyamide materials. Natural examples are wool and silk, while the most popular artificial polyamide is nylon. In terms of industry, most people around the world see \u2018polyamide\u2019 as synonymous with nylon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Nylon Grew in Popularity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Originally, Nylon was created and marketed as a \u2018stronger than steel\u2019 fabric at the World\u2019s Fair in 1939. It was created by Du Point Corporation as a longer lasting alternative to silk stockings. At first, the corporation planned to call the new material No Run as they believed the fabric was not susceptible to runs. When it became clear that wasn\u2019t the case, the name quickly moved to nuron, nilon and lastly nylon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After World War II, where Nylon \u2013 a strong and durable fabric \u2013 was used to make soldier\u2019s parachutes, women began recycling the parachutes into stylish dresses. As a result, pure nylon apparel became the latest trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we now know, pure nylon isn\u2019t particularly perfect for women\u2019s apparel. It has a low breathability, spoils easily and can even melt in high temperatures… not ideal for a sunny day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But nylon still offered something that natural polyamides didn\u2019t: Elasticity. Unlike wool and silk, nylon provided a silkiness that also had stretch. And so, textile makers began to mix nylon with other fabrics such as cotton, wool and polyester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the 70s, an environmental movement had a serious impact on nylon\u2019s popularity. Originally made from crude oil, it became quite a taboo fabric and the Nylon industry dropped dramatically. For this reason, we at Contrado do not use nylon. Nowadays, polyamide fabric production makes up just 12% of the synthetics industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of nylon still don\u2019t go unignored however. And despite the drop in popularity, it\u2019s unlikely it will ever disappear. Nylon provides such a versatile range of uses \u2013 from swimsuits to sportswear and tights \u2013 and can be used in such thin sheets, it\u2019s ideal for shaping and softness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside of Fashion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Polyamide fabrics aren\u2019t just used for apparel either \u2013 their uses outside of the fashion industry might surprise you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polyamides have found a home in the automotive, household and even the food packaging industry. When nylon was first produced, it was seen as a great, flexible plastic for everything from kitchen utensils, fishing nets, and even toothbrush bristles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nylon is generally inexpensive too, which is why it\u2019s used so much in industries like automotive and household. In a similar way, nylon is still used in stockings as silk is typically quite expensive to produce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another type of polyamide that\u2019s worth mentioning is aramids which are used for military, flame retardant apparel such as bullet-proof vests. Aramid polyamides include Nomex and Kevlar \u2013 both of which are still exclusively made by Du Point Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within the environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
As with all synthetic materials, nylon isn\u2019t ideal for sustainability. It is made from the world\u2019s natural source of crude oil which makes it quite a concern for environmentalists. Nomex and Kevlar are still seen as essential, but the demand for nylon has been dwindling since the 70s. And it\u2019s not just the oil that makes production so damaging; nylon uses a huge amount of cooling water which isn\u2019t always disposed of in the correct way. Nylon\u2019s aren\u2019t bio-degradable either, which means the fight to create a more environmentally friendly way to produce it is on. Research and experiments are currently being done to try and use bacteria to synthesize a chemical which would remove the creation of nitrous oxide from the process. For these reasons, we do not use nylon at Contrado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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