Overview of Synthetic Fabrics
Artificial fabrics have revolutionised textiles as alternatives to natural fibres that are tough, versatile and inexpensive. The two most well-known synthetic fibres are nylon and polyester, two fibres that now make up most of fashion, outdoor clothing and industrial products. Nylon, invented in the 1930s, was the first synthetic fibre ever to be mass-produced; polyester, invented in the 1940s, was immediately one of the most widely used synthetic fibres in the world.
Purpose of the Article
Both nylon and polyester are synthetic fabrics, but very different in their content, properties and use. In this blog post, we break down the main differences between nylon and polyester so consumers and manufacturers can choose which one is best suited to their requirements from clothing to industrial and ecological usage.
1. Composition and Manufacturing
Nylon
Origin:
It was Wallace Carothers and his DuPont colleagues who invented nylon in 1935. Originally created as a silk substitute, it was a military hit during the Second World War in parachutes, ropes and other military materials.
Made From:
Nylon is an oil-based polyamide. They are made by polymerisation – the chemical action of bonding monomers (chemical units) into polymers on a long chain.
Key Characteristics:
- High strength and elasticity.
- Resistant to abrasion and chemicals.
Polyester
Origin:
Polyester was invented in the 1940s by the British chemists John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson. Production started in the United States and was marketed as Dacron.
Made From:
Polyester is made by the polymerization of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, two petroleum chemicals. It turns out to be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a very durable and flexible polymer.
Key Characteristics:
Resistant to shrinking and wrinkles.
Excellent moisture-wicking properties.
2. Key Differences in Properties
a. Strength and Durability
Nylon:
- It has incredible tensile strength, making it perfect for applications like parachutes, rope and belts.
- And because it is not abrasive, it is even more durable for high friction environments.
Polyester:
- A little weaker than nylon, polyester is really strong and tear resistant.
- It shrinks less, and it stays bigger and shaper longer than nylon.
b. Elasticity
Nylon:
- Nylon is also a bit stretchier than polyester, and is a great fabric for stretchy clothing such as activewear and socks.
- It’s more regenerating, reshaping after stretching.
Polyester:
Polyester is not as elastic but that can be a plus in places where shape-holding is needed, like suits or upholstery.
c. Moisture Resistance
Nylon:
- Water-repellent than polyester so slower to dry.
- This can be a downside for some purposes, but nylon is also water-absorbing and thus can soften the surface.
Polyester:
- Relentless in its ability to absorb moisture and is therefore a great moisture wicking fabric.
- This attribute makes polyester the ideal material for clothing and outdoor accessories that must be fast drying.
d. UV/Heat Resistance:- UV and Heat Resistant Material:
Nylon:
- Better at resisting UV rays that will tear its fibers over time.
- Lower melting point and cannot be used in extremely hot conditions.
Polyester:
- Better UV-resistive so perfect for outdoor awnings and tarps.
- Tempts better than nylon, but should not be exposed to excessive heat for too long.
e. Texture and Feel
Nylon:
- Generally soft and silky to use in lingerie and hosiery.
- Feels lightweight but static-clings on skin.
Polyester:
- A little stiffer and coarser feel but textile technology has created more soft polyester fabrics.
- No more static than nylon.
3. Applications of Nylon vs. Polyester
Nylon and polyester both permeate industry as they’re distinctively versatile. : Know their function and choose fabric for specific purposes. These are not identical materials but each is ideally used for specific scenarios. We’ll look at the fashion and apparel, outdoor and sports gear, and industrial uses of both fibers in this part.
a. Fashion and Apparel
- Nylon: Activewear, Hosiery, and Lingerie
- Elasticity and Comfort: Nylon is favored because it is more elastic, which naturally stretchy fabric. This is great for activewear such as leggings, yoga pants and exercise tops. Nylon also feels soft against the skin, a plus in hosiery and underwear. There were nylon stockings that were produced after the Second World War and the material was extremely lightweight and elastic, so they were an inevitable part of their wardrobe.
- Sport Wear: Nylon is stretchy and it recovers so it will fit well into the body, providing comfort and movement. It is a staple fabric used with other materials such as spandex to produce athleisure clothing, and is a top fibre in activewear. The nylon material is soft but also durable, they resist hard usage without breaking down and breaking.
- Shirts and Bottoms: Smooth surface and strong construction, which lend nylon an ideal usage for hosiery. It gives a smooth, virtually undetectable sheen and the heft it needs to resist splitting. Because it is lightweight and breathable, the fabric can be used for underwear too, where comfort and breathability are important. The ease of nylon means that clothes move with you – both to accommodate and to relax.
- Polyester: Wear-to-Work Wear, Sportswear and Winter Wear.
- Pros: Durability and Moisture Control: Polyester is best known for its durability and thus it’s the best choice for your day to day clothes including shirts, trousers, and jackets. Polyester doesn’t shrink, stretch, wrinkle or wrinkle, so it’s a simple fabric that will still look its best after being washed many times. That makes polyester the go-to fabric for mass-produced clothing that needs to be easy to clean.
- Sports Wear: Polyester is mainly used for sports wear as it wicks away moisture. It pulls sweat away from your body and evaporates it quickly allowing you to stay cool and dry while you’re working out. So, whether it’s running shoes, workout shorts or jerseys, polyester is the insulating fabric of performance clothing.
- Jacket, Coat and Parka: Polyester is a widely used fabric for jackets, coats and parkas also because it’s waterproof and keeps you warm. It is waterproof and snowproof, so it’s a go-to fabric for cold weather jackets. Also it’s popular as jacket lining, since polyester is very lightweight and warm so it’s a good insulator.
b. Outdoor and Sports Gear
- Nylon: Tents, Ropes, and Backpacks
- Strong and flexible: Nylon has the tensile strength and flexibility that outdoor/sporting equipment need. Tents, sleeping bags, backpacks: nylon’s tear-and-absorbency makes it the perfect material for gear that needs to stand up to the elements.
- Tents & Sleeping Bags: Because of its strength-to-weight ratio, tents and sleeping bags are typically made out of nylon. Poly tents stand up to all the weather elements: wind, rain and extreme heat. As nylon is lightweight, it’s also lightweight so it’s portable. The same goes for nylon sleeping bags, lightweight and easily packable, while maintaining warmth and insulation.
- Ropes and Backpacks: Nylon is abrasion resistant which makes it ideal for climbing ropes and backpacks that are going to be subject to high-use outdoor use. Nylon back packs are not only strong, they’re also supple, providing both protection and convenience over time. Climbing ropes made of nylon are lightweight yet strong and are used for hiking, camping and any outdoor activity that requires a durable piece of gear.
- Polyester: Tarps, Awnings, and Flags
- UV-Protection: Polyester’s UV protection is why polyester is the fabric of choice for outdoor tarps, awnings and flags. Polyester is better at keeping UV degradation out than nylon, so these can be used for years outside in the sun without their structure or color degrading.
- Tarps & Awnings: Polyester tarps are used both for industrial and outdoor use as they can tolerate years of UV radiation and withstand water penetration. Polyester tarps are perfect for camping, for construction, or even for auto coverage and will offer the toughness and waterproofing you need in extreme environments.
- Flags: Polyester is a very strong fabric used for flags and banners. It resists fading, UV rays, and the elements, so it is suitable for outdoor signs. Polyester flags stay coloured and shaped even after months of wind and rain.
c. Industrial Use
- Nylon: Car Parts, Industrial Belts, and Long Cord Ropes.
- Automobile Parts: The toughness and resistance to abrasion of nylon lend it the best fit for industrial components such as automotive parts. These nylon gears, bearings and bushings are used on engines and transmissions as they are very durable to mechanical stresses. There is also nylon for fuel lines because it’s a material that can handle oils and chemicals.
- Conveyor Belts & Heavy Duty Ropes: Polyester is used in most industrial conveyor belts as it is extremely durable and strong when bent. So too do commercial heavy-duty nylon ropes, for the marine, construction and other industries requiring long-lasting materials resistant to high-load and environmental conditions.
- Nets For Fishing:Nylon is commonly used for fishing nets as it is strong and water resistant. It’s resistant to seawater and can be used long-term in commercial fishing for durability. The fabric’s capacity to support a lot of weight without loosing its elasticity is perfect for this.
- Polyester: Textiles, Curtains, and Industrial Threads.
- Upholstery and Curtains: Polyester resists shrinkage, wrinkle and fading and is great for upholstery and curtains. Polyester is used for both home and commercial upholstery because it’s strong and durable. It looks and feels good without all the upkeep of fibers like cotton or silk.
- Industrial Threads: Polyester threads are widely used in the industries as it is strong and durable. These threads are sewed on various materials like leather, synthetic fabric, heavy-duty materials etc. Polyester industrial threads are especially preferred for their resistance to UV rays and environmental conditions so seams and stitches last a long time.
4. Environmental Impact
Both nylon and polyester are petroleum-based synthetic fibers. Such dependency on unrenewable resources is problematic in the environment. But different aspects of each fibre have different environmental effects.
Nylon:
Non-Biodegradable and Reliant on Petroleum:
It’s a petroleum-based material called nylon, and it’s not biodegradable, leading to plastic pollution. Nylon is, like many synthetic materials, not easily recycled and it can live hundreds of years in landfill. This is also energy-intensive, producing a large carbon footprint.
Recycling Options:
Because nylon has a different chemical composition than polyester, it is harder to recycle. But it’s increasingly being repurposed as nylon, primarily in the form of fishing nets and textiles. Companies such as Aquafil now have procedures to regenerate nylon fibres, creating recycled nylon to be reused in new garments, carpets and outdoor clothing. This has a lesser environmental burden on nylon manufacturing.
Initiatives for Sustainability:
More and more people want nylon to be more sustainable. There’s Econyl, for instance, which converts nylon scribbled off to new, durable yarn. Even in the early days, recycled nylon can be an environmentally preferable way to avoid landfills and use fewer virgin materials in the manufacture of nylon products.
Polyester:
Non-Biodegradable but Easier to Recycle:
Polyester is also not biodegradable like nylon. Yet polyester is supposedly more recycleable than nylon. Polyester is polymer based, which makes it readily breakable and reuseable, and so a great option for recycled content. The best recycle of polyester is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling, which is already very popular in the textile and packaging industries.
PET Recycling:
This PET polyester recycling has also resulted in eco-friendly substitutes for virgin polyester. Recycled PET (rPET) from post-consumer plastic bottles and textile scraps, it’s an ecological way to make polyester fabrics. This reduces virgin polyester usage and plastic waste, so polyester is more sustainable than many other synthetic fibers.
Growing Sustainability Initiatives:
A great deal of fashion designers and textile factories are now going to recycling polyester to reduce their footprint. Sustainable polyesters have also started to sell on the market because sustainability has become so important to consumers and businesses alike – with many outdoor clothing manufacturers, sportswear brands and clothing brands now prioritizing recycled polyester.
5. Maintenance and Care
Fabrics must be kept in the right care and maintained for long life and beauty. Nylon and polyester are also needed, but both need care differently when washing, drying, and in general. This is because it is important to know how to maintain each fabric, so your clothes and products made of them will last.
Nylon Maintenance and Care
Washing Instructions:
Nylon is easy to wash but needs a bit of extra attention not to rip. It is extremely fragile nylon and so must not be washed heavily. Care for nylon best:
- Easy Wash: We recommend you do not wash nylon too heavily in the washing machine, as it will wear out. This reduces the amount of tearing and keeps the fabric looking its best.
- Use Cool or Lukewarm Water: To prevent heat damage, you should always use cold or lukewarm water (30- 40°C) when washing nylon as hot temperatures tend to sag the fabric.
- Small Detergents: Choose small detergents so the harsh chemicals don’t wear away the fabric’s durability and elasticity. Beware bleach and other aggressive chemicals that can rip apart the fibres.
- Don’t Overload: Overloaded washing machines will make fabrics rub against each other and will likely cause pilling or fiber breakage in the nylon fabric. Leave space for everything to move around.
Drying Instructions:
Polyester is warmer than nylon and heat can destroy nylon. When drying nylon:
- Drying By Air: Drying nylon clothes or items by air is the best way. Lie them flat on a dry and clean surface to air dry (hanging will stretch them).
- Low Heat or No Heat: If your dryer is on the low heat option, don’t put it into full heat. Neylon that gets too hot will melt or curl up.
- Wear Under A Shade: If left in direct sunlight for too long, the nylon fibres become brittle and fray or break. So, if at all possible, dry nylon away from direct sunlight.
Static and Wrinkling:
Lycra also gets stuck together more easily than polyester when you’re using it in dry weather. To combat this:
- Fabric softener: When washing clothes you can add fabric softener and reduce static cling.
- Washing: Nylon also wrinkles a bit more after washing. You can iron nylon at a low temperature if needed, just don’t overheat the fabric because it can burn for good.
Storage:
Nylon is light and can be stored. But to stain, and never be creased again:
- Put nylon garments away in a dry place.
- Hang nylon clothes not too long since it will break down. Instead, just fold them in half to store.
Polyester Maintenance and Care
Washing Instructions:
Polyester is known to last long, and in general it is more easy to clean than nylon. Polyester washing instructions are pretty straightforward: Wash at 40°C (50°F).
- Washing In The Washer: Polyester can be washed in a normal washing machine. It stands up to the majority of wear including abrasion and fade, so it can withstand heavier washing cycles.
- Cold/Warm Water: Use cold or warm water (40°C) to clean polyester so that the fabric will not shrink and it will not unravel.
- Use Light Detergent: Like nylon, you want to use light detergent so that the fibers don’t rot out over time.
- Don’t Bleach: Polyester is resistant to fading and staining, but bleach damages the fabric. Wash Polyester Avoid bleach and strong chemical cleaners.
Drying Instructions:
Polyester does not shrink, it can be used at higher temperatures than nylon. But good maintenance is still required to keep it looking and feeling good:
- Drying in Machine: Polyesters will generally dry in the dryer at a moderate or regular setting with little to no harm. This is one of the reasons polyester is typically less upkeep than nylon.
- Air Drying: Polyester also air dries well. Lay it flat or dry it and it will still be in shape and fluffy. Hang Polyester clothes not to hang for long as it will make them stretched and lose their shape.
- Don’t Over-Dry: While polyester is a bit less heat sensitive than nylon, don’t over-dry polyester in the machine as this will cause static.
Static and Wrinkling:
Polyester also is much less static than nylon and won’t wrinkle. But if wrinkles do develop, here are some techniques:
- Iron: Iron polyester on low-medium heat. It will tend to wrinkle less than other fabrics but steam iron or a wrinkle-relieving spray will remove any creases that may appear.
- Anti-static Spray: If you have static cling, an anti-static spray or fabric softener can lessen the static cling on polyester clothes.
Storage:
Polyester clothes are portable. For long-term storage:
- Maintain polyester fabrics in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, as this will make the fabric fall apart.
- Polyester does not fungise or mildiate and can therefore be kept in damp places.
6. Cost Comparison
It is also possible for nylon and polyester to be pricey depending on manufacturing techniques, raw materials and general manufacturing complexity. Let’s get at the cost comparison of the two fabrics in more detail:
Nylon Costs
- Manufacturing Complexity:
It is more expensive than polyester to make, because nylon is made more complex. To produce nylon, the chemicals are polymerised, polyamides produced from petroleum raw materials. All this complexity, plus the special equipment involved, pushes nylon prices skyward.
- Raw Materials:
The base of nylon is petroleum, and its cost can be higher. Prices for nylon fibres are also determined by the cost of petroleum-derived resources.
- Production Time:
Nylon takes longer to make than polyester, which results in an increase in labour costs. There is more finishing to do, such as heat setting and dyeing, which are also included in the price.
- End Use:
High performance and heavy duty uses are normally nylon, which tend to be pricier. Nylon ropes, car parts and industrial textiles, for instance, tend to cost more than their polyester equivalents because the fabric is stronger and better able to survive extreme environments.
Polyester Costs
- Manufacturing Simplicity:
Polyester, meanwhile, is cheaper and easier to make large quantities of. Polyester manufactures more simply and requires less energy than nylon. Polyester is much more straightforward, and the fibers are made by polymerizing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
- Raw Materials:
Polyester is produced from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, more easily and cheaply obtained than raw materials for nylon. Polyester fibres are made in bulk and are therefore cheaper per yard.
- Production Time and Cost:
Polyester is made faster and easier with less labour so it costs less to produce. Plus, polyester fabrics don’t need finishing processes and are less expensive to manufacture.
- End Use:
Polyester is also used for everyday wear, sportswear and textiles at home which are cheaper. It’s cheaper than polyester, which is a great material for quick-style fashion, upholstery, industrial fabrics and sportswear.
7. Choosing Between Nylon and Polyester
If you’re choosing nylon or polyester, there are a few things to consider depending on the application of the fabric. Voici some things that will assist you in your decision:
Factors to Consider
Strength:
- Nylon: Great for abrasion resistance and high tensile strength applications like rope, backpacks and industrial applications.
- Polyester: Polyester is very strong but best used for moderate strength and durability like clothes and sportswear.
Elasticity:
- Nylon: Superb elasticity, the best material for activewear, hosiery, and clothing that is stretchy and shape keeping.
- Polyester: Not as stretchy but better shape keeps when used in a way that works well for most clothing and items where stretch isn’t so important.
Moisture Resistance:
- Nylon: Draws more water so can be slow to dry.
- Polyester: Quick-drying and low-absorbing fabric, the go-to fabric for sportswear, activewear, and outdoor gear.
UV Resistance:
- Polyamide: Sensitive to UV radiation and will deteriorate if left out in the sun for a long time.
- Polyester: UV resistant, so better for tents, awnings and fabrics in direct sunlight.
Cost:
- Nylon: Costlier due to the complicated production and high-performance use.
- Polyester: Cheaper and more economical to mass produce.
Use Cases
Polyester: Best for high-performance products like parachutes, high-performance ropes, and stretchy, tough workout gear.
Polyester: For cheap day-to-day wear, outdoor clothing that is UV protected, and moisture wicking fabrics such as sportswear and swimwear.
Yashvi Jain, a writer by day and reader by night, is an accomplished content writer and published author of ‘Mind Under Construction. Yashvi possesses extensive knowledge of fabrics, sustainability, and literature. On occasions, you would catch her scripting for her YouTube channel, engrossed in fiction, or ardently dedicating her time to research and storytelling.