--- title: "Nylon and Polyamide: Care, Washing and Fabric Types" description: "What nylon (polyamide) is, how PA6 and PA66 differ, plus ripstop, Cordura and Taslan. Washing, yellowing and care live in a series of short guides." canonical: "https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/en/nylon" lang: en category: "Fabrics" datePublished: 2026-10-20 dateModified: 2026-10-20 author: "Małgorzata Małecka" publisher: "Gorące Żelazko" alternates: pl: "https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/nylon" en: "https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/en/nylon" uk: "https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/uk/нейлон" --- # Nylon and Polyamide *A knowledge compendium about polyamide: from tights through swimwear to outdoor jackets* Author: Małgorzata Małecka · Published on 2026-10-20 ![Nylon and Polyamide](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/hero/jpeg/nylon-large.jpg) ## Nylon and Polyamide: Are These the Same Fabric? The history of DuPont's invention and the chemistry of amide bonds ![Synthetic polyamide fiber under high magnification](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/inline-1/jpeg/inline-1-large.jpg) *Nylon is a brand name, polyamide is the chemical name for the same polymer family* The answer is yes: these are exactly the same material under two different names. Nylon was developed by Wallace Carothers' team of chemists at DuPont laboratories and introduced to the market in 1938-1939. It was a breakthrough. This was the first textile fiber that didn't come from a plant, animal, or processed cellulose, but was entirely created through a chemical reaction from simple petroleum-derived compounds. "Nylon" is a trademark originally registered by DuPont. Over time it entered everyday language and replaced the chemical name "polyamide" (abbreviated PA). It's somewhat like calling all sneakers "Adidas" and all casual shoes "sneakers": one is a brand, the other is a product category. In conversation, however, both refer to the same thing. In textile terminology and on clothing labels you'll encounter both names used interchangeably. Chemically, polyamide is a polymer chain with repeating amide groups (-CO-NH-) in the main structure. This matters because exactly these same amide bonds (called peptide bonds in that context) form natural proteins, including those that make up wool and silk. That's why polyamide, despite being entirely synthetic, behaves in contact with acids, bases, and chlorine bleach somewhat like natural protein fibers. Strong acids weaken it, and chlorine attacks the same bonds that give the fiber its strength. In commercial laundry practice, polyamide appears practically daily. The most common items we receive include: jackets and down coats with nylon coating, sportswear and outdoor clothing, tights and stockings, underwear, bags and backpacks, umbrellas, and linings and inserts in outerwear. We also see carpets and flooring, where polyamide is valued for its resistance to abrasion. Alongside polyester, elastane and acrylic, nylon is one of the most widely used synthetic fibers in the world. If you have anything labeled "polyamide" or "PA" on the tag, this guide applies to it. ### Physical Properties of Nylon (Polyamide) - **Moisture absorption**: 4.0-4.5% (cotton 7-8.5%, polyester 0.4%) - **Fiber density**: 1.14 g/cm³ (cotton 1.54 g/cm³, so nylon is noticeably lighter) - **Tensile strength (dry)**: 40-65 cN/tex, one of the strongest textile fibers - **Strength loss when wet**: 10-20%, moderate, less than viscose - **UV radiation resistance**: Weak to moderate, yellows with prolonged sun exposure - **Static electricity**: Very low electrical conductivity, increases in dry air ## Types of Nylon: PA6, PA66, Ripstop and Cordura Classification of chemical varieties and technical fabrics made from polyamide ![Structure of ripstop polyamide technical fabric](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/inline-2/jpeg/inline-2-large.jpg) *Characteristic grid of reinforcements in ripstop weave* The name "nylon" hides several different chemical varieties and dozens of trade names for technical fabrics, which can be confusing. Two classification axes will help you navigate. The first axis is chemistry, meaning the specific polymer variety. The most common industrial varieties are PA6 (also called Perlon) and PA6.6 (the original "nylon 66"): - **PA6**: dominant in Europe, melts at 215-220°C and is more elastic. - **PA6.6**: dominant in the USA as DuPont's original invention, stiffer and melts only at 255-265°C. - **PA11 and PA12**: less common in clothing but technically important. PA11 (Rilsan) is made from castor oil, melting around 185-190°C. PA12 has an even lower melting point and goes mainly into industrial applications. The second axis consists of trade names for the weave and finishing, independent of whether the interior is PA6 or PA6.6. These include terms like ripstop, Cordura, Taslan or blends with elastane, known from tights and swimsuits. Below you'll find a brief description of each popular variety you might encounter on a tag. #### PA6 (Perlon) (Polyamide 6, polycaprolactam), Dominant in Europe ![Thin knit from PA6 polyamide used in tights and underwear](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/pa6.jpg) - **Melting point**: 215-220°C - **Elasticity**: High PA6, also known by the trade name Perlon, is the most commonly encountered polyamide variety in Europe. It's more elastic than PA6.6 but has lower heat resistance, so it requires lower ironing and drying temperatures. This is the polyamide most often found in underwear, tights and stockings. #### PA6.6 (nylon 66) (Polyamide 6.6, original DuPont nylon), Dominant in USA ![Stiffer technical fabric from PA6.6 polyamide used in outdoor clothing](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/pa66.jpg) - **Melting point**: 255-265°C - **Elasticity**: Moderate PA6.6 is the original nylon developed by DuPont, stiffer than PA6 and able to withstand higher temperatures. Because of this it more often goes into technical clothing and products subjected to heavy use, like sporting equipment or upholstery. #### Ripstop (Weave with reinforced yarn grid) ![Characteristic grid of reinforcing threads in ripstop fabric](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/ripstop.jpg) - **Tear resistance**: Very high - **Weight**: Light Ripstop is not a separate chemical polyamide variety, just a way of weaving: every few millimeters thicker reinforcing threads are woven in to create a visible grid. This way any tear stops at the nearest reinforcement instead of spreading across the entire fabric. Typical for tents, raincoats and backpacks. #### Cordura (Fabric with reinforced yarn) ![Thick abrasion-resistant Cordura polyamide fabric](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/cordura.jpg) - **Abrasion resistance**: Extremely high - **Weight**: Heavy Cordura is a registered trade name for a fabric made from thicker polyamide yarn, designed for maximum abrasion and scuff resistance. You'll find it in backpacks, trekking boots and tactical gear, anywhere fabric rubs against hard surfaces. #### Taslan (Textured fabric) ![Matte textured Taslan surface resembling cotton](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/taslan.jpg) - **Appearance**: Matte, cotton-like - **Wind and water resistance**: High Taslan is polyamide subjected to special fiber texturing treatment, so the fabric loses the typical synthetic sheen and resembles cotton in texture, while retaining its wind and moisture resistance. Popular in outdoor jackets with a more "natural" appearance. #### Elastane Blends (E.g. 80% polyamide / 20% elastane) ![Elastic knit from polyamide and elastane blend typical for swimwear](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/images/guides/nylon/varieties/elastane-blend.jpg) - **Elasticity**: Very high - **Chlorine resistance**: Limited (elastane's weak point) Adding elastane (Lycra, Spandex) gives the fabric stretch that pure polyamide doesn't have. This is standard in tights and swimsuits. The catch is that it's elastane, not polyamide, that suffers most from chlorine and high temperature, so the blend requires even gentler treatment than pure PA6. ### Nylon vs polyester and care Regardless of which variety is on your tag, they all share the same key weakness: sensitivity to high temperature and chlorine. The rest of the differences are details affecting stiffness, durability and appearance. The rules for safe washing are, with minor exceptions, common to the entire family. Time to get specific: how to wash it so it lasts as long as possible. Nylon and polyester are often confused, since both are thermoplastic synthetics. In practice, nylon is more elastic and absorbs more moisture (4.0 to 4.5 percent versus 0.4 percent for polyester), so it goes where stretch and abrasion resistance matter: tights, backpacks, technical gear. Polyester is cheaper, dominates mass-market sportswear, and has better acid resistance. Static and pilling are problems more associated with polyester than nylon. If those are what you're facing, we cover the topic in dedicated polyester guides, linked in the related guides section below. We cover each aspect of polyamide care separately, in short, practical guides. This way you reach a specific answer faster, instead of scrolling through one long text. Below you'll find the whole series: - How to wash nylon - How to wash tights without runs - Why white nylon yellows - How to dry and iron nylon - Swimwear and chlorine - Nylon jackets and backpacks: DWR reproofing - When to take nylon to a laundry ## Now you know the theory. Practice can be less forgiving. If you would rather not risk your favourite piece, leave it to the specialists at Gorące Żelazko laundry in Lublin. - [Jacket washing](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/jacket-washing) - [Clothing reproofing](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/impregnation) - [Stain removal](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/stain-removal) - [Clothing refreshing](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/clothing-refreshing) - [Coat cleaning](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/coat-cleaning) - [Ski wear washing](https://www.goracezelazko.pl/en/services/ski-clothing-washing) ## Related guides - [How to Wash Tights Without Runs](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/en/washing-tights) - [How to Dry and Iron Nylon Without Melting It](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/en/drying-ironing-nylon) - [When to Take Nylon to a Laundry Service](https://blog.goracezelazko.pl/en/when-to-dry-clean-nylon)