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Reference.org
Nylon 6
open-in-new
<p>Nylon 6 or polycaprolactam is a <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymer</a>, in particular <a href="/facts/Semicrystalline/qA9S1duu">semicrystalline</a> <a href="/facts/Polyamide/8AmQgTFa">polyamide</a>. Unlike most other <a href="/facts/Nylon/hBvG9bCw">nylons</a>, nylon 6 is not a <a href="/facts/Condensation_polymer/lJHUMx53">condensation polymer</a>, but instead is formed by <a href="/facts/Ring-opening_polymerization/VQsgojQQ">ring-opening polymerization</a>; this makes it a special case in the comparison between condensation and <a href="/facts/Addition_polymer/RIUV7QfI">addition polymers</a>. Its competition with nylon 6,6 and the example it set have also shaped the economics of the <a href="/facts/Synthetic_fibre/VBcafhnY">synthetic fibre</a> industry. It is sold under numerous trade names including Perlon (Germany), Dederon (former East Germany), Nylatron, Capron, Ultramid, Akulon, Kapron (former Soviet Union and satellite states), Rugopa (Turkey) and Durethan. </p>