Nylon Synthesis

Nylon is produced by melt spinning and is available in many different forms. The fiber has outstanding durability and excellent physical properties. Nylons are semi-crystalline polymers. The amide group -(-CO-NH-)- provides hydrogen bonding between polyamide chains, giving nylon high strength at elevated temperatures, toughness at low temperatures, combined with its other properties, such as stiffness, wear and abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient and good chemical resistance. 

Nylon is a polymer that you can make in the lab. A strand of nylon rope is pulled from the interface between two liquids. 

H2N(CH2)6NH2 + ClCO(CH2)8COCl → —[HN(CH2)6NH-CO(CH2)8CO)]n— + nHCl

1.Use equal volumes of the two solutions. Tilt the beaker containing the 1,6-diaminohexane solution and slowly pour the sebacoyl chloride solution down the side of the beaker so that it forms the top layer.

2.Dip tweezers into the interface of the liquids and pull them up to form a strand of nylon. Continue to pull the tweezers away from the beaker to lengthen the strand. You might wish to wrap the nylon rope around a glass rod.

3.Rinse the nylon with water, ethanol, or methanol to remove the acid from the nylon. Be sure to rinse the nylon before handling it or storing it.

Nylon's outstanding characteristic in the textile industry is its versatility. It can be made strong enough to stand up under the punishment tire cords must endure, fine enough for sheer, high fashion hosiery, and light enough for parachute cloth and backpacker's tents.