Nylon

Nylon 6:  Nylon was the first purely synthetic fiber, introduced by DuPont Corporation at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. DuPont had begun a secret development project designated Fiber66, under the direction of Harvard chemist Wallace Carothers and chemistry department director Elmer Keiser Bolton. Carothers had been hired to perform pure research, and he worked to understand the new materials' molecular structure and physical properties.

He took some of the first steps in the molecular design of the materials. His work led to the discovery of synthetic nylon fiber, which was very strong but also very flexible. The first application was for bristles for toothbrushes. However, Du Pont's real target was silk, particularly silk stockings. Carothers and his team synthesized a number of different polyamides including polyamide 6.6 and 4.6, as well as polyesters.

Properties

1. Good rigidity and hardness 

2. Good dynamic fatigue resistance 

3. High impact strength, even at low temperatures 

4. Toughness improved by water absorption 

5. High heat resistance 

6. Excellent electrical properties 

7. Virtually no stress cracking (stress relaxation) 

8. High chemical resistance 

9. Good gas barrier properties 

10. Good abrasion and wear resistance 

11. Low friction and good emergency running properties 

12. Good sound and vibration damping 

Easy processability.