What Are The Differences Between Polyester And Nylon?
Jun 20, 2025
Polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) and nylon (polyamide) are two major synthetic fibers that play a significant role in the modern textile industry. Although both materials fall under the category of synthetic fibers, they exhibit notable differences in chemical structure, physical properties, and application fields.
Polyester fabric Nylon fabric
Chemical Structure and Production History
The chemical name of polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is produced through a polycondensation reaction between organic dibasic acids and diols. This material was invented by British chemists in 1941 and achieved industrial production in 1953. In contrast, nylon (polyamide) has a longer history. It was the world's first fully synthetic fiber, developed by DuPont in the United States in 1935 and commercialized in 1938. The chemical structure of nylon contains characteristic amide bonds (-CONH-), and it is categorized into types such as nylon 6 and nylon 66 based on the number of carbon atoms in the monomer.
Comparison of Physical Properties
1. Mechanical Properties
Nylon ranks first in wear resistance among all textile fibers, being 10 times more wear-resistant than cotton and 20 times more than wool. Although polyester's wear resistance is inferior to nylon, it surpasses most natural fibers. In terms of elasticity, nylon's elongation at break ranges from 25% to 60%, significantly higher than polyester's 15% to 30%, making nylon more suitable for garments requiring high elasticity.
2. Thermal Properties
Polyester has a melting point between 255–265°C and a glass transition temperature of about 70°C, with an recommended ironing temperature below 140°C. Nylon has a lower melting point and poorer thermal stability; prolonged exposure to temperatures above 150°C can lead to a reduction in strength.
3. Moisture Absorption and Comfort
Nylon's moisture regain rate is 4%–4.5%, slightly higher than polyester's 0.4%–0.5%, but both are still considered low-moisture-absorption fibers. Due to its almost non-absorbent nature, polyester tends to generate static electricity, resulting in poorer wearing comfort.
Identification Methods and Practical Applications
1. Advanced Burn Test
In addition to observing smoke color and residue characteristics, the following methods can be used for differentiation:
- Polyester burns while melting, emitting black smoke with a yellow flame and an aromatic odor.
- Nylon melts and drips noticeably during burning, with a blue flame and a celery-like smell after extinguishing.
- Residue after burning: Polyester leaves black hard lumps, while nylon forms light brown transparent beads.
2. Application Areas
Typical applications of polyester:
- Apparel: Business shirts (accounting for about 65%), suit linings, UV-protective clothing (often treated with anti-UV coatings).
- Home textiles: Wrinkle-resistant bedding, curtains (due to excellent shape retention).
- Industrial uses: Tire cords, conveyor belt substrates.
Main applications of nylon:
- Sportswear: Yoga pants (over 80% market share), swimwear, climbing ropes.
- Luggage products: Surface materials for suitcases, load-bearing parts of backpacks.
- Industrial fields: Automotive airbags, fishing nets, parachutes.
