Advantages and areas of use for nylon material
Polyamide Nylon, or as it is also called nylon, is a synthetic material that has a variety of uses. The most well-known type is Nylon 66, but there are several other varieties such as Nylon 6, 610 and 11. These materials have different properties which depends on the molecular structure.
The material is known for its durability, elasticity and versatility. Nylon is often used in the textile industry to produce, among other things, sportswear and nylon stockings. In addition to textiles, nylon is also used in industrial contexts such as gears, various bearings, and other mechanical parts where good strength and durability as well as electrical insulation are required.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Production of the material requires significantly more energy than other fibers, such as cotton. It also results in the emission of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxide, which is very harmful to the environment. The material is not biodegradable and contributes to microplastic pollution in our oceans.
In order to reduce the environmental impact, there are initiatives to recycle nylon from old fishing nets and other waste materials. For example, companies that produce Econyl and Aquaphile durable nylon from recycled materials, which contributes to a more circular closed loop.
Area of use within 3D printing
Nylon has also become popular for use with various 3D printers due to its strength, flexibility and durability. Nylon is often used to create functional prototypes and final products that require durability and high performance. Nylon filament is used in FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer and is ideal for parts that must withstand mechanical stress and wear.
The price of a kilo can range from anything in between SEK 280/kg to several thousand Swedish kroner per kilo depending on the distributor and which type of nylon you choose to buy. Compared to more common materials such as PLA and ABS, the price difference can vary up to twice the price for one kilo. That's why at Dw Development we make sure our nylon price is as good as possible to make this incredible plastic available to everyone. Show product.
The chemical formula of nylon
The material is a polyamide PA, which means that its polymer chains consist of repeating units held together by amide bonds. For Nylon 66, which is one of the most common types, the chemical formula is (C12H22N2O2)n. It consists of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, which are joined by a polymer condensation reaction. Nylon 6, another popular variety, has the formula (C6H11NO)n and is manufactured from caprolactam.
The future of nylon
To further reduce its environmental impact, research and development of new methods to produce it from more sustainable sources, such as biomass and recycled material, is underway. By continuing to develop and use these sustainable methods, we can take advantage of nylon's benefits while minimizing its negative effects on the environment.
We have Nylon for your next project!
We have one of Sweden's and perhaps Europe's widest selection of different 3D Filaments. Read more about other exciting materials or find the filaments that suit your next project.