Nylon fiber: Apparel Search fiber Directory

Nylon Definition  Nylon Ripstop Definition  Fibers Guide  Nylon Zipper Factory fabric  Manufacturer  fiber Definitions - textile fiber

Welcome to the nylon fiber directory section of the Apparel Search website. In this section, you will find educational information and links to resources relevant to nylon fibers.  If you work in the apparel industry or simply have an interest in nylon textiles, this is the area for you.  If you do not find enough information in this section of our nylon fibers guide, you may wish to check the textile section or go back to the fiber directory main page for additional textile fiber choices. 

Nylon is a tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer with a protein-like chemical structure, able to be produced as filaments, sheets, or molded objects.  Nylon is a thermoplastic silky material that can be melt-processed into fibers, films, or shapes.  Nylon was the first commercially successful synthetic thermoplastic polymer.  DuPont began its research project in 1927.  The first example of nylon (nylon 6,6) was produced using diamines on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Hume Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station Nylon was first used commercially in a nylon-bristled toothbrush in 1938, followed more famously in women's stockings or "nylons" which were shown at the 1939 New York World's Fair and first sold commercially in 1940.

As pure nylon hosiery was sold in a wider market, problems became apparent. Nylon stockings were found to be fragile, in the sense that the thread often tended to unravel lengthwise, creating 'runs'.  People also reported that pure nylon textiles could be uncomfortable due to nylon's lack of absorbency.  Moisture stayed inside the fabric near the skin under hot or moist conditions instead of being "wicked" away.  The solution found to problems with pure nylon fabric was to blend nylon with other existing fibers or polymers such as cotton, polyester, and spandex. This led to the development of a wide array of blended fabrics. The new nylon blends retained the desirable properties of nylon (elasticity, durability, ability to be dyed) and kept clothes prices low and affordable.

Learn more about nylon fibers.

If you work for a company that supplies nylon textile products, you can use the add your company link at the bottom of this page to create a listing on the Apparel Search nylon directory pages. 

If you wish to read more about nylon, don't forget to visit the textile news section.  More specifically, view the textile fiber news area.  Also, if you work in the fashion industry or textile industry, please join us at the fashion industry network for discussions about the use of nylon.


Search for nylon fiber suppliers.

AdvanSix Nylon Solutions : AdvanSix is one of the Top 5 fully integrated manufacturers of Nylon 6 globally, and is among the largest single-site global producers of caprolactam – a key ingredient for nylon resins. This, combined with exceptional quality control and a robust supply chain, ensures industry leading quality and reliability of supply. With over 50 years of rich experience in technology, product development and sustainable growth, they are positioned to move your business to the next level of competitive performance.

Asahi-Kasei (Japan): Asahi Kasei fibers is the core operating company for all fibers and textiles operations of the Asahi Kasei Group. A wide and expanding range of innovative materials for apparel and industrial applications are produced with the know-how gained through eight decades of industry leadership. Main business: Roica polyurethane fibers, Eltas spunbonds, Lamous artificial suedes, Bemliese cupro nonwovens, Bemberg cupro fibers, Leona nylon 66 fibers, polyester filaments.


Dupont Dupont Nylon Filament


Allied Signal, Inc / Now part of Honeywell (USA) Multi-national specialty fiber manufacturer. Product line includes nylon, polyester, high-molecular weight polyethylene and polyethylene naphthalate fibers. Other high performance products are nonwoven ballistic composite fabrics and fiber finishing technologies which improve wet and dry abrasion resistance and mildew prevention, and composite fabrics for protective clothing. The company is also a major producer of nylon carpet fibers and filament. Member of the Honeywell Corporation.


RadiciSpandex:  The Radici Group was founded in 1946 as a household textile manufacturer. Today, as a result of a policy of vertical integration and diversification, the Group is a multibillion dollar entity with over 6,000 employees working in 60 production facilities worldwide. Business activity ranges from synthetic fibers to chemicals, plastics, engineering services, packaging and textile machinery.RadiciSpandex offers an extensive line of elastane / spandex fibers to meet the needs of any stretch or elastication application. This product line is backed by Market Product Managers and Product Performance teams that are supported by a fully functional Technical Customer Service support laboratory and staff that understands every market application. Several different and specifically engineered polymers provide the exact match for all end-use physical and chemical performance requirements. From chlorine resistance to high heat resistance and soft retractive power RadiciSpandex has a spandex fiber suited for every need. Address: 125 Hartwell Street Fall River, MA 02721 Fax: (508) 674-3580 Email: info@radicispandex.com

  • Spandex
  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Polypropylene

  Toray: Toray Group fuses nanotechnology into its operations, using organic synthetic chemistry, polymer chemistry and biochemistry as its core technologies. In addition to the Foundation Businesses of fibers & textiles and plastics & chemicals, Toray likewise promotes the global development of IT-related products, carbon fiber composite materials, pharmaceuticals and medical products, environment & engineering including water treatment and progress in other pivotal business fields. The features of Toray's fibers & textile business are: (1) their product line encompasses all three major groups of synthetic fibers nylon, polyester, and acrylic; in this business,(2) Toray is known for its capacity to meet requests for supplying a diverse range of products, from filament yarns and staple fibers to textiles and garments; (3) applications for their products widely range from apparel to industrial materials including car airbags, seat belts, and bag filters. On the top of that, sales of advanced materials, such as fluorine fiber and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fiber, are also expanding. Utilizing global manufacturing bases such as filament yarn, staple fiber, and textile manufacturing facilities, Toray not only facilitates production and sales in the most appropriate regions, but also provide a global operational structure that organically links these bases. To create a business structure that ensures steady earnings, Toray's fibers & textile business as a Foundation Business is developing new products, constructing a new supply chain management system, expanding its sewn products business, and broadening its overseas operations.

  • Nylon fiber
  • Polyester fiber
  • Acrylic fiber

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