Polyamide
Also known as: PA, PA 6, PA 6.6, Nylon (generic)
Synthetic fibre with very high tensile and abrasion resistance, often used synonymously with nylon in Europe.
Description
Polyamide is a synthetic fibre produced by polycondensation of diamines and dicarboxylic acids (PA 6.6) or ring-opening polymerisation of caprolactam (PA 6). It was developed in 1935 by DuPont as nylon and marked the start of the modern chemical fibre industry.
Polyamide is characterised by extremely high tensile strength, elasticity and abrasion resistance. These properties make it the standard material for backpacks, rainwear, softshells, tights, sports equipment and technical textiles. Compared to polyester, polyamide absorbs more moisture, giving a more pleasant skin feel but extending drying time.
- Very high tensile and abrasion resistance
- Elastic and dimensionally stable
- Slightly higher moisture absorption than PES
- Sensitive to UV and strong acids
Recycled polyamide — such as Econyl® from fishing nets and production waste — reduces the ecological footprint and is increasingly standard in outdoor and swimwear.
Properties
| Fibre type | Fully synthetic (PA 6 / 6.6) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Petroleum (caprolactam / HMDA) |
| Tensile strength | very high |
| Typical use | Backpacks, rain jackets, sports underwear |
Related product categories
Sources & references
3- Wikipedia: Polyamide Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamide
- Textile Exchange Textile Exchange https://textileexchange.org/
- OEKO-TEX OEKO-TEX Association https://www.oeko-tex.com/
