Intaking water is the general flow among the creatures of nature that includes both plants and animals.
We, humans, are also part of that nature who survive by taking water. As we take water, our body absorbs them to provide nourishment to every cell and organ of our body.
We can see the differences in this absorption in any synthetic components made by humans. This is because synthetic materials contain various mixtures depending on which the rate of water absorption also varies.
Nylon being one of those synthetic fibers, you may wonder does nylon absorb water?
Let us explore!
here is the short answer to does nylon absorb water
Almost all polyamides absorb water, and nylon falls under such a group despite being a synthetic compound. Nylon absorbs water, and the rate of absorption depends on several factors.
For example, the amount of temperature, humidity, time of moisture exposure, types of the nylon, molding thickness, etc., all play a significant role in the water absorption of nylon.
What happens when nylon absorbs water?
It is essential to interpret “how” before coming to the point of “what” in the case of nylon and its absorption of water. That is to say, we should first know about how nylon absorbs water. But then, we can only learn what happens when they do so.
First coming towards the substance, nylon is a synthetic polymer of artificial fabrics that are highly used in garment industries and has many other benefits.
Nylon is also known as polyamide. And, all polyamide almost acts the same in absorbing moisture. Therefore, the factors affecting them to do so are also similar.
Factors like the humidity of the air are very much crucial in terms of moisture absorption of the nylon. In addition, the temperature of the surrounding environments from where nylon absorbs water is also considered for the water they drink.
Again, the time of exposure of the water you allow for your nylon also matters a lot on how much water they will absorb. If you will enable the water to make contact for a more extended period, it is pronounced that nylon will absorb more of the water.
And, if you allow a concise time water exposure, nylon will fail to drink excess moisture.
Again, nylon being a synthetic compound, also comes with various sorts of fibers. The variation in their type and structure is for letting the higher demands of the markets. These also bring the differences in their water absorption, which depends on the various model to model.
The part of the nylon’s thickness is not something less significant in terms of moisture absorption. On the contrary, the more thread they are molded with, the greater their water absorption rate is.
This is because of the internal nylon particles, which tend to absorb liquids. Their higher amount of presence makes the absorption rate reach sky-touching.
A polymer chain’s hydrogen atom wants to bond with an oxygen atom of another polymer chain and thus create emergence in water absorption.
With all that being said, as we are sure that nylon is indisputable in absorbing water, we can now jump towards the end consequence of their water absorption.
The things that happen after absorption of water by the nylon are:
- Moisture that is absorbed by the nylon later works as plasticizers.
- The plasticizer works in lessening the stiffness and strength of the nylon particles.
- Again, the toughness of the internal bondings of the nylon increases. Elongation of the nylon also takes place.
- Other energy-absorbing tendencies, capacities, and impact strength increase drastically with the increase in moisture content of the nylon.
Does glass-filled nylon absorb water?
It depends on the percentage of glass content in the nylon. Higher glass-filled nylon means lower water subscription, and softer glass-filled nylon implies higher water absorption.
These are due to the significant fact that glass adds to the nylon in different levels of concentrations.
For example, nylon 6 is a type of nylon variety composed of 30% glass-filled elements. That is to say, out of the total volume, 30% of the space comes from drinks.
Such a concentration level is pretty much higher and thus implies a relatively less absorption of water than the unfilled nylon.
The unfilled nylon is prone to shrink more due to the absence of densely concentrated solid compounds like glass. At the same time, glass-filled nylon tends to shrink lesser.
You can directly relate again with water absorption as shrinking, and water-absorbing are linked to one another.
The more is the amount of shrinkage implies a higher level of water absorption and vice-versa. As a result, a lower level of shrinkage for nylon 6 means that water absorption is also lower than the other regular nylons.
how long does it take for nylon to absorb moisture?
Well, it depends on the type of nylon you are using! Moisture absorption varies from nylon to nylon and the built-in composition of the compound, along with various other factors.
The hydrogen bonding that makes the water content inside the nylon causes the polymers’ chains to move far apart from each other. The result of which is the reduction of strength, tension, and mechanical properties of the nylon.
The more is this reduction of the mechanical strength; the higher is the absorption of water of that specific nylon.
Again, the higher is the reduction of the glass transition temperature; the faster nylon will absorb water—all it depends on the factors affecting your nylon.
Nylon that contains a higher amount of glasses will be difficult to absorb water, and therefore, the time of the water absorption will also decrease.
The main facts surrounding the time of water absorption by nylon mainly come from nylon absorbing the water. That is to say; nylon absorbs moisture from the surrounding air. So the level of humidity of the air will tell the time of absorption of the nylon.
The higher the humidity, the more petite nylon will need to absorb as much water as possible. But, again, nylon takes water very quickly when they are submerged. Even they absorb way more water in submerged conditions compared to that from the air.
So, nylon will take less time to drink the water when they are immersed in that same.
Is nylon six water-soluble?
Yes! Depending on the percentage of glass content, the solubility of the nylon 6 persists. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if the water absorption rate is lower in nylon six compared to other nylon models.
Still, they are regarded as water-soluble for their specific amount of absorption rate.
And, this rate of the equilibrium water absorption of 30% glass-filled nylon 6 is 3.5% which is not alarming. The rate of absorption for nylon 66 is 2.5% and nylon 610 with 1.5%, respectively. So, compared to those other models, the solubility of nylon 6 is pretty much higher!
30% Glass-filled Nylon 6; can I use it in water?
If you are the one who wants to keep their nylon product safe from consuming too much water and change in their different physical properties, then nylon 6 is the way to go.
Nylon 6 contain 30% glass fibers which are responsible for lessening water consumption by many folds. Ordinary nylon with a lower level of glass contents is higher to operate more hydrogen bondings.
The higher the amount and rate of hydrogen bonds within nylon, the more is the water demand and, therefore, the same consumption.
Hydrogen bonds cannot sustain within Glass fibers. As a result, 30% of the hydrogen findings are lessened in nylon six products. Therefore, one can even say 30% decrease in water consumption, taking the lead for nylon 6.
What temperature is nylon suitable for?
Nylon is suitable under a specific range of temperature depending on the long-term and short-term sustenance level.
That leads to the minimum possible short-term temperature of the nylon, which is -40° C. The minimum long-term temperature is -30° C.
Again, the maximum possible temperature at which nylon will sustain for a shorter time is 180° C which decreases to 95° C for more extended periods.
At what temperature does nylon become brittle?
Nylon remains ductile or soft at a temperature above 100° C. When the temperature is not kept within such ranges, various changes become available to spot. One such change is your nylon becoming brittle.
Such condition of the nylon occurs the temperature hits -100° C, which leads to a semi-brittle and ductile state
Nylon becomes fully brittle when the temperature further hits -196° C to -150° C.
Nylon vs. Polyester: Resistance to Water, Fire, Sun (UV), and Mildew?
The differences between nylon and polyester in terms of water, fire, UV light of the sun, and mildew are:
| Polyester | Nylon |
|---|---|
| Polyester is more water-resistant, depending on its thread count. Therefore, the higher is the amount of thread, the higher their water-resistance becomes. | Nylon is less water-resistant compared to polyester. They become drastically water-resistant only when any other external substance is layered within them. |
| The flammability rate of polyester is on the higher side. The higher is the flammability, the more they are resistant to fire. | Nylons’ flammability rate is lower than that of polyester, with less resistance to catching on fire. |
| No real data | On the other hand, nylon quickly fades out in contact with the UV rays than polyester. |
| Polyester is quite good at taking mildew. | Here, both the nylon and polyester are the same in dealing with the mold with similar outputs. |
FAQ about Does Nylon Absorb Water
Will Nylon Rope Rot in Water?
No, despite the scenario of weakness in nylons’ mechanical properties due to the water, nylon can still survive without any rot because the effect of water is very slight, just as the UV rays and exposure of any chemical substance, nylon stays without getting rotten.
Does nylon weaken with age?
No single thing on the planet will survive the eternal, which is also applicable for nylon. But, with said, nylon is still one of the synthetic compounds that will last longest and take more than 30-49 years to decompose after their dysfunctionality.
Can nylon be boiled?
The kettle you will try to boil the nylon will get much heated before boiling out your nylon. So, the result is almost “no” because of a hard time you will go through while boiling them.
Our verdict on Does Nylon Absorb Water
Last but not least, nylon is hydrophilic, which means that they indeed tend to absorb water. Their internal hydrogen bonding is what makes them hydrophilic.
In hydrogen bonding, hydrogen and oxygen remain that try to create strong bonds with one another.
Relevant post:
Is Polyamide The Same As Nylon? (Difference Between Them)
Emily’s passion for crafting knows no bounds. She has spent years perfecting her skills, from mastering intricate knitting patterns to sculpting beautiful ceramics and everything in between. Her artistic talents have made her a force to be reckoned with in the crafting community.