Nylon 6,6
Description
A Thermoplastic polymer formed by reacting a diamine with a diacid, often Hexamethylenediamine with Adipic acid. Nylon 6,6 was first developed in 1935 by W.H. Carothers at DuPont and patented in 1938 for use as a textile fiber. It was originally given the name Fiber #66. The fibers are known to be strong, tough, and elastic. Importantly, as opposed to traditional fibers such as cotton, wool, and rayon, nylon fibers are glossy. They are extruded through a spinneret with a circular or trilobal cross section shape. Nylon 6,6 fibers can be used individually, i.e., as monofilaments, for brushes, surgical sutures, tennis strings, and fishing lines. Nylon 6,6 fibers are used for clothing, carpets, tire cords, conveyor belts, and brushes. Nylon 6,6 exhibits excellent dyeability and are twice as durable as Cotton. Nylon is sometimes coated with plastic, such as vinyl, to produce thin, lightweight waterproof fabrics.
The properties of nylon 6,6 are very similar to nylon 6, however the chemistry to synthesize these two polymers is different. See Nylon fiber.
Synonyms and Related Terms
polyamide 6,6; poly(hexamethylneadipamide); adipic nylon; Fiber #66;
Examples: Antron® [DuPont]; Cantrece® [DuPont]; Durasoft [Solutia]; Stainmaster [DuPont]; Wear-Dated [Solutia]; Brulon 240 [ICI]; Brulon 244 [ICI]; Perlon T [made in Germany]
Applications
Personal Risks
Nylon 6,6 is generally a safe material to handle.
Collection Risks
Can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Typically pretty stable although it was proposed to be a material ill-suited for use in conservation.
Environmental Risks
Nylon 6,6 is not biodegradable. Manufacturing process releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Resistant to alkalis and most organic solvents. Degraded by acids and phenol. Burns with yellow-orange flame and blue smoke; smells of burnt horn. Fibers are smooth with no striations.
- Cross section is circular or trilobal.
- Tenacity = 4.6-9.0 g/denier (dry); 4.0-7.7 (wet);
- Elongation = 19-40% (dry); 32-46% (wet);
- Moisture regain = 3.8-4.5% (dry)
- Melting Point = 250
- Density = 1.14
- Refractive Index = 1.521; 1.547
Comparisons
Properties of Synthetic Fibers
Additional Images
Nylon 6,6
Nylon 6,6
Nylon 6,6
Resources and Citations
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 553
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Marjory L. Joseph, Introductory Textile Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Fort Worth, TX, 1986, p. 135.
- J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:II Man-made Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England
- F. Kidd, Brushmaking Materials, Bristish Brush Manufacturers, London, 1957
- Meredith Montague, contributed information, 1998
- History of Plastics: www.nswpmith.com.au/historyofplastics.html