A-+Nylon-+Effects+on+society

__ Nylon  __

November 10, 2010
What impact has the development of synthetic fibres such as nylon had on the society? Nylon 6,6 · Formed by the combination of coal, petroleum, natural gas, agricultural products, water and air. · These materials when heated produce a polymer. Nylon is a synthetic polymer which means it is a long line of repeating subunits. · The most common form of nylon is Nylon 6,6 · Nylon 6, 6 is made up of 2 monomers each with a 6 carbon backbone. The first monomer is called Adipic Acid. It has a carboxyl group attached to each of the ends. · The second monomer is called Hexamethylene Diamine. This has an amino group (NH2) at each end. · In this reaction the carboxyl group and the amino group combine to form water through condensation polymerization. · Condensation polymerization is the forming of a polymer with amide linkages between them. · It is when all the water in the chemical reaction is taken away that nylon is formed. · The result is a string like texture. This fine materials makes things like clothing, tooth brushes....etc How is Nylon made? · Wallas Carrothers was the chemist that synthesized Nylon · He worked for the Dupont Chemical Company in Delaware and his goal was to create a synthetic cheaper version of silk and rubber. · In 1938 the first nylon tooth brush was made and in 1940 nylon stockings. · The modern methods of manufacturing nylon: first the chemicals are heated to remove all the water. · Then the nylon comes out of a heating machine as a flat ribbon. As the flat ribbon cools, it also hardens. This it is cut into pieces and sent to factories where they are melted and used for manufacturing products. · Some natural occurring materials are difficult to manufacture. One material is silk because they are expensive to make and require manual labour. · Nylon presents the perfect material because organic materials are easier to manufacture and also because it is tough, strong, has elasticity, and resistance to oil and grease. Social Impact · WWII- The strength of Nylon really revolutionized the clothing for women especially in WWII. During the war exports of silk to the western countries were stopped therefore women didn’t have stockings to wear. · Nylons fixed this problem by providing reusable stockings. It was durable and could be manufactured without importing other natural materials. · Also it revolutionized the consumer market by providing better materials to help with consumer convenience. · Clothing made from nylon does not shrink in the dryer because the polymers are strong, durable and resist more heat than natural occurring materials such as cotton, wool, and linen. · The creation of synthetic fibres such as nylon has greatly influenced our society by the things that we wear and the objects that we use that it is no wonder why our lives have become more efficient and easier as time has passed. Bibliography Clark, Jim. (2004). //Polyamides//. Retrieved from http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/amides/polyamides The impact of technology: nylon. (2004, February 20). Retrieved from http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.engin.design.technylon/ Hopper, Maggin, & Jessica, Alice. (2010, May 14). //70th anniversary of nylon stockings//. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/WN/70th-anniversary-nylon-stockings/story?id=10649627 //How is nylon made? // (2010). Retrieved from http://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/how-is-nylon-made