How Is Nylon Fishing Line Made?
Developed by DuPont chemist Wallace Carothers in 1935, nylon's first commercial use came in the form of toothbrush bristles. Today's nylon manufacturing technique for fishing line follows the same basic principles as when nylon debuted.
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The Facts
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Nylon fishing line, also called monofilament line, features a single filament of nylon instead of "twisted" fibers, according to Ultima International, to create a single thread.
Nylon Mixture
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The manufacture of fishing line begins with nylon chips or pellets, often mixed with additives such as fluorescent dyes or substances that increase the abrasion resistance.
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Making Strands
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The nylon and additive mixture, heated to a melting point, is then pressed against a plate of metal with specially sized holes. Heated nylon extrudes through the holes, resulting in a continuous delivery of uniform diameter nylon line.
Cooling
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The nylon strand's exit through the holes exposes it to air and/or water, which cools the nylon to the point that spooling can occur.
Stretching
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To add tensile strength (breaking strength) and knot strength to a strand of nylon, the manufacturing process stretches nylon line to "an optimum point," explains Ultima International.
Final Spooling
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The stretched line undergoes quality testing before it's spooled for bulk or individual use.
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References
- Photo Credit fishing reel image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
