Main Difference
The main difference between nylon and polyester is that nylon has low maintenance and having strength, resistance, and good elasticity, whereas polyester is more breathable and shines for being water-resistant.
Nylon vs. Polyester
Nylon in its structure is mainly composed of nitrogen atoms whereas polyester has no nitrogen atoms in its structure. Due to the presence of amide groups nylon is also called as polyamide, while polyester is also called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The monomers diamines and dicarboxylic acids are involved in the production of nylon; on the other hand, the monomers diols and dicarboxylic acids are involved in the production of polyester. Nylon is manufactured as a liquid, mechanically spun and dried into individual fibers; on the contrary, polyester is manufactured as spun into the thread from the chemical solution. Nylon has low moisture absorbency; conversely, polyester is wrinkle resistant. The durability of nylon is exceptionally strong, resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals, and abrasion-resistant, whereas polyester is strong, resistant to shrinking and stretching, resistant to moist chemicals, etc. Nylon melt then burns rapidly during combustion; on the flip side, polyester melts and burn at the same time. The environmental impact of nylon is that most nylon made from unavoidable oil refinery byproducts, while polyester is non-biodegradable but can be re-cycled. Nylon is light-weight, smooth, warm, soft, and quick-drying; on the contrary, polyester is light-weight, smooth, and quick drying. Nylon can be classified as a thermoplastic polymer; on the other hand, polyester can be classified as either thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer.
Comparison Chart
| Nylon | Polyester |
| A common name used for molecules of polymer class that is composed of polyamides is called nylon. | A common name used to define long-chain polymers collected of ester groups in the main chain is called polyester. |
| Chemical Name | |
| Polyamides | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) |
| Category | |
| Thermoplastic polymer | Either thermoplastic or thermoset |
| Monomers | |
| Diamines and dicarboxylic acids | Diols and dicarboxylic acids |
| Nitrogen Atoms | |
| Have nitrogen atoms | No nitrogen atoms |
| Appearance | |
| Wide range of colors, lustrous | Slightly slick, a wide range of colors |
| UV Resistance | |
| Somewhat | Very |
| Worldwide Production | |
| Approximately 3.9 million metric tons, 11% of synthetic fiber production | Approximately 21 million metric tons, 58% of synthetic fiber production |
| Wearability | |
| Low moisture absorbency | Wrinkle resistant |
| Durability | |
| Abrasion-resistant, exceptionally strong, resistant to damage from oil and chemicals | Strong, resistant to shrinking and stretching, resistant to moist chemicals, etc |
| Flammability | |
| Melts then burns rapidly | Melts and burns at the same time |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Made from unavoidable oil refinery products | Non-biodegradable but can be re-cycled |
What is Nylon?
A common name used for molecules of polymer class that is composed of polyamides is called nylon. Due to their thermal properties, they are known as thermoplastics, and this group of polymers includes plastics. Due to the presence of amide groups nylon is also called as polyamide. The monomers diamines and dicarboxylic acids are involved in the production of nylon. Symmetrical backbones and semi crystalline structures make nylons very good fibers. Nylon gets its name according to the number of carbon atoms in diamine and dicarboxylic acids. E.g., nylon 6,6 has six carbon atoms in diamine and six carbon atoms in dicarboxylic acids. Generally, nylon is tough material. But mostly nylon is light-weight, smooth, warm, soft, and quick-drying Nylon is manufactured as a liquid, mechanically spun and dried into individual fibers. The durability of nylon is exceptionally strong, resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals, and abrasion-resistant but has low moisture absorbency. Nylon melts then burn rapidly during combustible. The environmental impact of nylon is that most nylon made from unavoidable oil refinery byproducts.
What is Polyester?
A common name used to define long-chain polymers collected of ester groups in the main chain is called as polyester. They are chemically composed of approximately 85% by weight of dihydric alcohol, ester, and terephthalic acid. In other words, the reaction between alcohols and carboxylic acids which produce esters cause the formation of a polyester. Polyester is manufactured as spun into the thread from the chemical solution. The monomers diols and dicarboxylic acids are involved in the production of polyester. Polyester is a durable material and is extremely strong, resistant to shrinking and stretching, resistant to moist chemicals, etc. Polyester is widely used in the food industry, and the textile industry, etc. Polyester melts and burns at the same time. Polyester is light-weight, smooth, and quick drying.
Types
- Saturated Polyesters: Composed of saturated backbones. These are less or not reactive.
- Unsaturated Polyesters: Composed of vinyl unsaturation, so, these are very reactive.
Key Differences
Conclusion
Above discussion concludes that nylon has low maintenance and having strength, resistance, and good elasticity, whereas polyester is more breathable and shines for being water-resistant.
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