Chemistry

Polyamides: Definition and Description

Polyamides: Definition and Description

The polymers of amides are known as polyamides. They are fibrous substances. Commercially they are known as Nylon. Characteristically polyamides are very resistant to wear and abrasion, have good mechanical properties even at elevated temperatures, have low permeability to gases and have good chemical resistance.

The various types of polyamides are described below:

(i) Nylon 66- It is the poly-hexamethylene adipamide & is used to make cotton.

(ii) Nylon 610- It is the poly-hexamethylene decanamide. It is a commercial polyamide which is formed by hexamethylene di-amine & cibasic acid. Cibasic acid is extracted from castor oil. Nylon-610 is a synthetic fiber which is used to make toothbrush, sock etc.

(iii) Nylon 6-  It is a polyhexanamide derived from “Capro-lactam” which is a cyclic amide having 06 carbons. It is used in production of tyres, ropes & in cotton industries.

(iv) Nylon-11- It is a poly un-decanamide, used in production of cloths.