The term ‘nylon’ refers to synthetic plastic materials composed of polyamides of high molecular weight and most times manufactured as a fibre. Nylons were developed in the 1930s by a research team led by American chemist Wallace H. Carothers working for E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. Nowadays, nylon is available in multiple forms, including nylon sheet, and is one of the most popular fabricated plastic products, together with acrylic materials.
Keep on reading to discover the main applications of nylon sheet and its benefits.
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What is nylon sheet being used for?
The exceptional strength and resistance to chemicals makes nylon an excellent choice for automotive parts, machine screws, gears, electrical connectors, and insulators. This material is present in almost every industry, such as construction, material handling, food processing, agriculture, oil and gas, marine, and wastewater.
What are the general benefits of using nylon?
Nylon is almost a century old and its first commercial application was in the bristles of toothbrushes. This versatile material continues to be used on a large scale due to the following properties:
Durable – nylon is one of the most durable and strong plastic materials. It was used heavily for war effort during World War II and remains up to this day one of the most durable polymers in the market. What makes it so strong are a series of properties such as a wear resistance, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, high tensile and compressive strength, fire retardant properties, and being able to operate without lubrication due to its low coefficient of friction.
Lightweight – nylon is the first choice for products that need to be resilient but also light as it weighs a mere seventh of the weight of most traditional materials.
Easy to produce – the efficient production process of nylon and its low moisture absorbency makes it possible to obtain nylon fast, at low costs, and in any colour. Easy machining of nylon is possible.
Affordable – nylon can replicate the properties of more expensive materials with lower overall production costs.
Waterproof – nylon is being used in sports equipment and outdoor equipment because it repels water and can be cleaned easily. Unlike other materials, nylon is less likely to grow mould.
Easy to maintain – a nylon sheet can simply be wiped clean, making care and maintenance a process that requires little effort.
What are the pros of using nylon sheet?
Nylon sheet is used for alimentary purposes because it is compliant with requirements for direct food contact. Moreover, heat stabilised nylon can withstand a high operating temperature, making it suitable for contact with hot foods.
Users prefer nylon sheet as food packaging due to its ability to aid in weight and noise reduction (is not noisy like cellophane).
What are the cons of using nylon?
There is no perfect material and nylon also comes with a series of disadvantages. The following issues should not dissuade you from using nylon, but rather help you decide between nylon sheet and acrylic sheet cut, for instance, when presenting your project to a plastic fabrication company.
Because it is fire-resistant, nylon melts instead of burning, but this also means it can shrink when subjected to high temperatures.
Nylon is sensitive to UV rays and becomes yellow and fragile when left in the sunlight.
Because nylon has reduced antistatic abilities, clothes made from nylon have static electricity, which may be unpleasant for the person wearing the garment.
Last, but not the least, nylon is a by-product of plastic and is not biodegradable. Nylon can be recycled, but the process is complex and costly. Moreover, because nylon is melted at a low temperature, some contaminants, such as bacteria, can survive. This is why nylon needs to be cleaned thoroughly before the recycling process.
Nylon is available at Plastic Online Australia as nylon sheets and rods. Wherever you are in Australia, you can buy cut to size wholesale nylon online from the Gold Coast leading experts in plastic material and plastic wholesale. The common trade name for nylon is Ertalon. Nylon PA6G is available in two colour choices for both sheet and rod – non-UV resistant white and UV-resistant black.
Our wholesale nylon sheet and rod plastic products, as well as related products such as acrifix acrylic adhesive, are available direct to consumer, in any quantity you require for personal use or commercial use.
