PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Nylon represents a family of synthetic polymers, a thermoplastic material, first produced in 1935 by Gerard J. Berchet of Wallace Carothers' research group at DuPont. The first product was a nylon-bristled toothbrush (1938), followed more famously by women's 'nylon' stockings (1940). It is made of repeating units linked by peptide bonds (another name for amide bonds) and is frequently referred to as polyamide (PA). Nylon was the first commercially successful polymer and the first synthetic fiber to be made entirely from coal, water and air.
Nylon 6 and nylon 66 are the most important nylon fibers and account for approximately 98% of the total. Other nylon fibers are used primarily in specialty applications and include nylon 6/12, 11, 12 and the aramides (aromatic polyamides). Typical properties of Nylon are listed in the following table:
| Physical Properties of Nylon |
Nylon 6 |
Nylon 6,6 |
| Tensile strength (grams/denier) – DRY |
4.5-5.4 |
4.7-5.6 |
| Tensile Strength (grams/denier) – WET |
4.1-4.9 |
4.2-5.0 |
| Elongation (percent) – DRY |
27-33 |
25-28 |
| Elongation (percent)-WET |
30-37 |
29-32 |
| Specific gravity |
1.14 |
1.14 |
| Softening point |
170 oC |
235 oC |
| Melting point |
212-220 oC |
255-260 oC |
TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS/FEEDSTOCK
Nylon 6 polymer is made by continuous polymerization of high-purity molten caprolactam. Caprolactam is mixed in a tank with a controlled amount of water, chain terminators (e.g., acetic acid), and other additives such as heat and light stabilizers. The mixture then enters the reaction vessel, where it is heated up to 275 degrees C; after about 24 hours, the nylon 6 polymer is extruded into strands, which are cut into chips.
Monofilaments of less than 40 denier are made by a melt spinning process similar to that for ordinary yarn. Monofilaments over 40 denier are melt spun with water quenching.
Nylon 66 polymer is formed by reacting adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) to form hexamethylenediammonium adipate (AH salt). AH salt is subsequently polymerized, and the polymer is spun into fibers.
The nylon 6/6 polymer can be spun directly from the autoclave. Nylon 66 is spun at a higher temperature (295 degrees C vs 275 degrees C) than that for nylon 6.
Nylon 6 and 66 fibers are available as regular and high-tenacity continuous filament yarn (which may be heat stabilized), as monofilament, and as staple. The fiber is produced in several cross-sectional configurations, which may be circular, triangular, multilobal, flat or texturized, or hollow fibers.
The somewhat different physical properties of nylon 6 and 66 are not considered important in most applications, so nylon 6 and 66 are used interchangeably. Nylon 6 is only somewhat more difficult to texturize but more easily accepts dyes.
Nylon fibers are used in a broad range of apparel, home furnishings, and industrial end uses, and particularly in areas that require high tensile strength and abrasion resistance.
North America
BASF has decided to phase out nylon 6 polymer production at Enka, N.C., USA, site by 2007, and consolidate production of these materials at its site in Freeport, Texas. Consolidation at Freeport site would reduce costs and improve efficiency. The new installation at Freeport is scheduled to be completed in early 2007.
China
Guangdong Gaoyao Xinda Fiber has commissioned its new nylon unit in March 2005, which can produce 2,400 tons per annum nylon filament yarns.
China Shenma Group commissioned its 20,000 tons per year polyamide (nylon) 66 consecutive polymerisation unit in October 2005. The company had invested Yuan 109 million in the project.
Lanxess inaugurated a new polyamide production facility in Wuxi in China in April 2006. The unit has started manufacturing Durethan polyamide and polybutylene terephthalate. The company invested around EUR 20 million in this facility on the site of Lanxess Wuxi Chemicals Ltd. The plant is designed to produce 20,000 tons a year of compounds.
The YnFx Nylon Chain Report has them in the order of their capacities worldwide
The detailed Industry Structure and the Company names with capacity and % Share in the global market is available in the Nylon Chain Report by Yarnsandfibers.com
AN OVERVIEW
Nylon production hovered at 4 million ton mark in 2005 valued at over US$15 billion. The growth of the industry has been sluggish for over past several years. In the last 5 year period, nylon production declined on two occasions as the period recorded an annual growth rate of -0.5%. Production declined in 2005 by over 2%. The fall in production can be explained by the substantial scrapping of capacities during the past five year. In 2000 nylon production capacity was at 5,681 thousand tons, which now stands at 5,130 thousand tons, a fall of 2% per annum between the two years. In 2006, production is likely to hover around the 4 million tons mark.
The future projections, and country-wise demand for Nylon 6 and 66 is covered in the Nylonr Chain Report by Yarnsandfibers.com. You may also get a view of Table of Contents
The report also covers Various aspects in tabular as well as graphical form as shown below
Price Trends –
The current prices and the trends are published weekly in theYnFx PriceWatch Report, which covers 22 textile products, starting from feedstock till yarn, and tracks the international price movement on a weekly basis.
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