A polyamide manufactured from aliphatic monomers is commonly designated as nylon. The structural units of a polyamide are joined together by an amide, -NH-CO-, group. Nylon 6 is a synthetic polyamide fiber which is synthesizes from a monomer called caprolactam.
Physical Properties:
Chemical properties:
Effect of acids: It is damaged by strong acids.
Effect of bases: It is resistant to bases. Nylon 6 melts in boiling dimethyl formamide (DMF).
Ability towards microorganisms: It is resistant to microorganisms, moths.
Effect of organic acids: It is resistant to organic acids. It becomes soluble in any dense acid or phenol.
Effect of bleaching: Strong oxidizing agents damages the nylon 6.
Effect of inorganic acids: It is resistant to inorganic acids.
Dyes: it could be dyed with vat, acid and direct dyes.
Uses:
It is used in the applications of apparel of sportwear and blouses, dresses, raincoats, hosiery, lingerie, underwear.
It is used for making home furnishings like bedspreads, carpets, curtains and upholstery.
It is used in the industrial applications like tire cords, seat belts, hoses, conveyer belts, v belts, type writer ribbons, racket strings, sleeping bags, tarpaulins and tents.
It is used in for applications of agro textiles and marine textiles like sail cloth, ropes, fishing nets, plant nets and also used for making brushes.