What Is Polyamide Fabric?

It is difficult to name a specific date of polyamide fabric production used to produce synthetic fabrics of different kinds with different properties. Initially, they were dubbed by the generalized word "synthetic," which had more often a negative meaning than a positive one. We will talk about the properties of this textile and its advantages in today's article. I also learned about how diverse the polyamide fabrics are, their application's scope, and how to care for them.

Polyamide fabric is a synthetic that has become widespread. In 100% form, it is practically not used. The fiber is mixed with other fibers, artificial or natural, to improve the product's quality characteristics at the output. Studying the tags on the clothes, buyers often meet in the composition of the material, mysterious polyamide. This type of textile is very popular in various areas because of its unusual properties. It is ideal for sewing bright, non-burning, and durable clothing.

Polyamide is a synthetic fiber used for making fabrics. It is air-permeable, dries quickly after getting wet, does not wrinkle, and is widely used daily. Let's get acquainted with it in more detail. Clothing: things made of polyamide fabric hold their shape for a long time, are easy to clean from dust and dirt, have vapor absorbent properties, and are comfortable to wear. Resistance to wear is because things are made of high-strength fibers. The modern textile industry offers a variety of materials, including fully synthetic. Thanks to new technologies, clothes made of them practically do not differ from those created from natural materials, and in practicality, even often surpass them. Today, we will tell you what polyamide fabric is, its use, and its properties.

Polyamide fabric and nylon are synthetic polymers widely used in various industries, including textiles, automotive, electrical, and others. They have similar properties and are some of the most popular materials in the world.

Polyamide fabric is the common name for a group of synthetic polymers formed by polymerizing amino acids or corresponding monomers. Polyamides are characterized by high strength, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance. They can be transparent, translucent, or opaque, depending on the type of polyamide.

Nylon is one of the best-known types of polyamide fabrics, which was developed and first introduced by DuPont in 1938. Nylon has high strength, tensile strength, and refractoriness. It also has good dielectric properties and high resistance to various chemicals. Nylon is widely used in the textile industry to produce clothing, underwear, hosiery, and other products.

Polyamides and nylon have many properties in common, but also some differences. They both have high strength, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance. However, nylon is generally stronger and more refractory than other polyamide fabrics.

Taking everything together, polyamide and nylon are synthetic polymers with similar properties with a wide range of applications. However, nylon is a specific type of polyamide fabric known for its high strength and refractoriness. Therefore, although nylon is a type of polyamide, its name is used in industry and households to refer to a specific material.

These synthetic fabrics are made through the process of polymerization. This is a process in which monomers are chemically bonded together to create a chain and form what is known as a polymer. In the case of polyamide fabric, their bonds are formed using amide bonds.

The process of creating a polyamide fabric such as nylon is simple. Essentially, the materials needed to create the fabric are oil, specialty chemicals, and water. The amino acid (usually diaminohexane) that serves as the monomer comes from petroleum. It combines with another acid (usually adipic acid). Their reaction begins to form a web-like substance that can unwind to form coarse fibers.

Polymers are heated, extruded, and stretched in large manufacturing operations before wound into proper fibers. These steps make them suitable for use in many different applications. The stretching process especially improves the elasticity of the fiber. The finished product can be easily dyed in a wide variety of colors.

The polyamide fabric is then made into the rolls and coils that end users are familiar with. However, blending them with other fibers and materials is also popular to create special fabrics.

As noted earlier, polyamide is a widespread material. However, it should be noted that it is rarely used alone, most often in company with natural fiber. Types of polyamide fabrics: nylon, taslan, elastane, velsoft and tactel.

Let's consider some representatives of the species in detail:

Nylon
This polyamide fabric is one of the most popular and oldest synthetic materials. Nylon has practically turned the fashion world upside down. It is used to make women's tights, underwear, and sweaters , often added to sweaters, socks, and other knitwear. The main characteristics of nylon are lightness, quick drying, and beauty of appearance. The negative quality of nylon is that it is synthetic and can cause allergies. In addition, it stretches when wet.

Taslan
Taslan is another typpe of polyamide fabric. This material is mainly used for the production of casual clothing for adults. Unlike nylon, it is not as lightweight but durable and breathable. The breathability is due to the porous inner surface of the fabric.

Elastane
This polyamide fabric is used as an additive material to other fibers. The main properties of elastane are that if you stretch the fibers, they increase in length 6-8 times and then return to their original position; their state is not affected by sweat, sunlight, cosmetics, grease stains, or seawater salt.

Velsoft
A common variety of polyamide fabrics. The fabric is durable, fleecy, non-shedding, warm, and breathable. Looks like a thick material with a pile, without the formation of lint. Products can be washed often. They do not lose their shape. The fabric does not shrink and does not shed, is very pleasant to the body, and looks beautiful. It is printed with a pattern or monochrome. It is used for sewing things for adults and children and home textiles.

Tactel
This fabric is made from polyamide fabric 6-6. It has many positive features. The material is breathable, lightweight, soft, and durable. The name is taken from the Latin language, which means "touch ."Tactel is used to make outerwear and socks. However, due to its many qualities, the price is quite high. Types of this material vary, depending on where the tactel will be used. For example, Tactel-textural is used to sew sportswear. Types differ in thread thickness, appearance (shiny or matte), and elasticity. Tactel is also added to natural fabrics.

Advantages
The advantages of the described synthetic textile are very many. It is not for nothing that it has become one of the most popular non-natural fabrics. Let's list the main pluses:

1. Polyamide fabric is a durable material, resistant to fractures and mechanical damage;
2. Elastic, perfectly stretched, but does not lose its original shape;
3. Polyamide fabric is not heavy in itself. It is easy and comfortable to wear;
4. Fire-safe because it does not ignite but only melts;
5. Polyamide fabric can dry quickly when compared to natural fabrics, especially cotton;
6. Resistant to ultraviolet light, does not burn out in the sun, and practically does not shed;
7. Does not wrinkle, so products made of polyamide fabric do not need ironing;
8. Sits beautifully on the figure, softly fits, giving the image of femininity in wearing is not felt;
9. Polyamide fabric is not afraid of alkalis, salts (including sea salt), fungi and infections;
10. Externally attractive, easy to dye in any color.

Disadvantages
Polyamide fabric is synthetic. The harm lies in the possible occurrence of allergic reactions. People with sensitive skin should not wear it. The material's thermal conductivity is much worse than that of natural fabrics, so such clothes do not warm and cool well. You can sweat in them. Since the body does not breathe, there is a certain discomfort when wearing it. That is why underwear and things for babies are not sewn from the described textile.

Polyamide fabric is also harmful because it accumulates static electricity. The fabric cracks and sparks, which causes unpleasant sensations. When cutting, it is very loose, and in use, it is inconvenient because it easily absorbs grease contaminants and is very difficult to wash.

Excellent performance characteristics of polyamide fabric allow it to be used in the mining, pharmaceutical, food, medical, metallurgical, and oil industries. Synthetics are indispensable for sewing tourist and sports equipment, workwear, purses, key holders and bags, footwear, ropes, carpets, fishing nets, and rubber tires. But still, the most widespread use of the matter is in the textile industry.

It will be interesting to understand what polyamide is in clothing and what qualities it endows it with. Synthetics is unpretentious in wear. It is pleasant to the touch, does not wrinkle after long wear, and does not stretch. Most importantly, polyamide fabrics do not burn out and do not discolor after long wear. With proper care, clothes retain their original qualities for years, including shape. Polyamide is more often made of:

- jackets , raincoats, overalls;
- sweaters, sweaters, and summer dresses;
- underwear (more often from blended fabrics with polyamide added);
- lace and decorative elements;
- elements of sportswear.

A few items of clothing and underwear are made of pure polyamide fabric. Synthetic fibers are often added to natural or synthetic yarns to obtain a fabric with certain performance qualities.