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Nylon and Polyester are two synthetic fibres that have been around for a long time. Ever since they were discovered in the earlier half of the 20th century, these fibres have made their way into our daily lives in numerous forms. Both fibres are versatile in nature and have various useful properties such as strength, durability and water resistance, which make them ideal substitutes for natural fibres. From their applications in many different industries, like the textile industry, to an array of household items, nylon and polyester are used everywhere, and they provide a significant advantage over other types of fibres.
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Key terms: Nylon, Polyester, synthetic, fibre, textile, properties, preparation, uses.
Nylon
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Nylon is the first fibre that was completely synthetic. It was made years ago, back in the 1930s, by Wallace Carothers. Prior to the discovery of nylon, plant and animal fibres were used to make clothes, but they lacked strength and were prone to rotting. Due to this, the introduction of nylon came of great use to people. Initially, nylon was made of water, coal and air, and no natural raw materials were used.
Preparation of Nylon
Nylon is also known as a polyamide; it is a product of a reaction between amines and diacids. When adipic acid, a six-carbon diacid, is made to react with hexamethylene diamine, which is a six-carbon diamine, we get a nylon salt. When this is heated at a temperature as high as 250 degrees Celsius, a molten form of nylon is obtained, which can be made into the shape which is required. Nylon 6, 6, which is the most common polyamide, is formed by this process, as shown in the reaction below.
Properties of nylon
- Highly elastic in nature
- Extremely durable and strong
- Its molecular structure is dense and compact
- Highly resistant to abrasion
- It resists being damaged by any external factor such as plants, animals, fungi, heat, chemicals, UV, rays, and stains.
- It is water-resistant and also dries rapidly.
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Applications and uses of nylon
Nylon have a wide range of applications, ranging from household items to components used in various industries. It is especially popular in the textile industry. Listed below are just a few of the major uses of nylon.
- Articles such as combs, toys, and toothbrushes, that are used in our day to day lives, are made of nylon.
- Nylon resin is used in automobile manufacturing to make many components in engines.
- These resins are also used in food packaging as they create a protective barrier against oxygen, which keeps the food safe from spoilage.
- It is used to make ropes, tents, parachutes, sleeping bags, and many other such outdoor supplies.
- As it is very easy to wash, nylon fabric is used to make clothes, socks and household items like curtains as well.
- Due to its waterproof nature, it is also used to make swimwear.
Polyester
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Despite being discovered as early as the 1940s, polyester became popular among people only in the 1950s. It is a very durable fibre and can be woven into all kinds of pieces of fabric. It is widely used to make many of the clothing items we use today.
Preparation of polyester
It is formed by a reaction that involves the condensation of diols and dicarboxylic acids. When mono ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate undergo a reaction, they form a compound known as bis terephthalate. This, on heating, forms PET, or Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET, which is a commonly used polyester.
PET is especially useful due to its mailability, and how it can be made into long, thin fibres. Similarly, when terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are heated along with a catalyst such as zinc acetate-antimony trioxide, terylene is formed, which is another kind of popular polyester. Terylene can be made into very thin fibres, which can then be woven like yarn.
Properties of polyester
- Due to its hydrophobic nature, it dries very quickly, which is a very useful property due to which it is used to make waterproof items.
- It is resistant to wrinkling, shrinking and stretching.
- It is also resistant to many chemicals, and it can also be recycled.
- Polyester is very strong and durable in nature.
- It offers a good amount of resistance to mildew, mould and abrasion.
- It can be heat set to make pleats, and it is a very crisp fabric.
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Applications and uses of polyester
Polyester is a very popular fabric and has a lot of applications in many industries. Some of its major applications are mentioned below –
- It has the most use in the textile industry. It is used to make pants, shirts, jackets, dresses and many more clothing items.
- In the industry, it is used to make conveyor belts, videotapes, food packaging films, as an insulator in electrical appliances, hoses, rope, tents, etc.
- It is also used in our homes in the form of bed sheets, curtains, pillowcases, spreadsheets, and liners.
- PET is used to make PET bottles.
Things to remember
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- We have discussed the various properties and uses of these two synthetic fibres, nylon and polyester. Both these fibres are strong, durable and versatile in nature.
- After being discovered years ago in the 1930s-1950s, they have continued to serve many purposes ranging from daily use items to industry applications.
- Nylon, the first completely synthetic fibre, is used to make military-grade items such as ropes and tents
- It is also used to make many household articles like toys, clothes, and automobile parts.
- Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is widely used in the textile industry as well as to make household items like bedsheets and curtains.
- Nylon and polyester are both water-resistant fabrics and are strong and durable in nature.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Which was the first completely synthetic fibre and how was it discovered? (2 marks)
Ans. Nylon was discovered in the 1930s by Wallace Carothers. Prior to his discovery, plant and animal fibres were used which lacked sufficient strength and durability. Nylon was the first fibre to be made free of natural materials; instead, it was made from coal, air and water. Due to this, it was the first synthetic fibre.
Ques. What are some common properties between nylon and polyester? (2 marks)
Ans. Nylon and polyester are both synthetic fibres. They are both strong, resilient and durable in nature. Both fibres are also water-resistant. They have a wide range of applications in the textile industry, and items made from these fabrics are used in our day-to-day life.
Ques. Why is polyester so popularly used to make clothes? (3 marks)
Ans. Polyester possesses many properties that make it useful in the manufacturing of textiles. It is resistant to stretching and shrinking, which makes it an ideal choice for making apparel. It also remains wrinkle-free and can be heat pressed to make pleats. These are some of the properties that make it a great choice to make clothing items.
Ques. Explain the preparation of Terylene? (2 marks)
Ans. Terylene is a popular form of polyester which is commonly used. When terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are heated along with a catalyst such as zinc acetate-antimony trioxide, the product formed is terylene.
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Ques. List some of the major properties of Nylon that make it particularly useful. What are some of its uses? (5 marks)
Ans. Nylon is a synthetic fabric that is elastic, strong and durable in nature. It is capable of resisting damage from many external factors such as chemicals, heat, UV rays, staining, and also from natural elements such as plants, animals or fungi. It is also water-resistant. Nylon has many uses. For many years, it is widely used to make ropes, tents, sleeping bags and parachutes, and is widely used in the military. It is used in the automobile industry to make engine components. It is also used in food packaging. In our houses, combs, toys and curtains are made of nylon. Lastly, it is also used to make clothes and swimwear.
Ques. Explain the preparation of nylon? (3 marks)
Ans. When adipic acid, a six-carbon diacid, is made to react with hexamethylene diamine, which is a six-carbon diamine, we get a nylon salt. When this is heated at a temperature as high as 250 degrees Celcius, a molten form of nylon is obtained, which can be made into the shape which is required. This nylon formed, is nylon 6, 6, which is a very commonly used form of nylon.
Ques. How is PET prepared, and what is it used for? (3 marks)
Ans. – When mono ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate undergo a reaction, they form a compound known as bis terephthalate. This, on heating, forms PET, or Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET, which is a commonly used polyester. PET is especially useful due to its mailability, and how it can be made into long, thin fibres. PET is commonly used to make water bottles.
Ques. What are some uses of polyester in the textile industry? (3 marks)
Ans. Due to its resistance to wrinkling and stretching and also its durable nature, polyester has numerous uses in the textile industry. It is used to make clothes like shirts, trousers, jackets, coats, and dresses. It is also used to make household items like curtains, bedsheets, and pillow covers.
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Ques. Why is it unsafe to work near the fire while wearing synthetic fabrics? (5 marks)
Ans. Synthetic fabrics are made of synthetic or manmade fibres, due to which they are flammable and can catch fire more easily. Wearing such fabrics near the fire can result in severe burns and injury to the person wearing them. These fabrics can also melt and stick to the body resulting in serious burns. Further, the burning of synthetic fibres can produce harmful gases that may be toxic to humans. Due to these reasons, it is advisable to refrain from wearing synthetic clothes where there is a risk of fire.
Ques. Are nylon and polyester good fabrics to wear during the summer season? (3 marks)
Ans. Both nylon and polyester and lightweight fabrics. They have the tendency to repel water, which makes them beneficial in the summer as they absorb sweat and help maintain freshness in the clothes. They also have the ability to dry very easily, which is another useful property. Clothes made of nylon or polyester are thus ideal for the summer season as they help keep the body cool.
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