Uses of Nylon 6

Also known as Clean-pak and nylon C, there are numerous uses of nylon 6, particularly in the manufacturing sector. It is in fact one of the most widely-used of all commercial nylons. It is a semi-crystalline material that is highly valued for its strength, elasticity and durability. Other properties that make it a highly valued manufacturing medium include its capacity to withstand high pressure, temperatures, and chemicals such as acids, alkalines and solvents.

Manufacturing

Nylon 6 is a versatile synthetic material that can be formed into fibers, sheets, filaments or bristles. These are in turn be used in the production of fabric, yarn and cordage. For example, fine nylon 6 filaments are used in the manufacture of hosiery, knitted clothing and parachutes. Nylon 6 bristles are used to produce toothbrushes and bristle brushes. As a composite with other polymers, nylon 6 is also used in the production of molded products like toy cars, skate-board wheels and gun frames.

Industrial Yarn

With its high tensile strength, fatigue resistance and toughness, one major application for nylon 6 is in the manufacture of industrial yarn. Its superior adhesion to rubber makes it an ideal medium for producing tire cord fabric, the reinforcing medium for bias-ply bus and truck tires. What's more, it can be blended with polyethylene (PE), a cheaper polymer, to produce low-cost industrial yarns without significantly lowering the quality of the final product.

Textile

Nylon 6 is used extensively in the textile industry to produce non-woven fabrics. Fabric made from nylon 6 is colorful and light-weight yet strong and durable. It can be easily dyed at atmospheric pressure in brighter and deeper shades than many other fabrics allow. Fabrics such as chiffon and organza owe their luster and translucent appeal to nylon 6.

Plastic Film

Nylon 6 is used in producing plastic film that is widely used in the food industry, primarily for packaging purposes. The nylon 6 plastic film is a thin, typically transparent sheet of plastic that varies between 1mil (0.001 inches) and 10 mils (0.01 inches) in thickness to fill different food applications. It is a sanitary medium for clean, long-term packaging of food products. It is also an excellent substitute for aluminum and other metal films.

UV-absorption

Nylon 6 plastic film is often produced with the capacity for UV absorption, a property that is of significant benefit in the control of insect transmitted viral diseases. Other industries that use nylon 6 film for its UV absorption include engineering, medical, and agriculture.

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