In a previous blog, we noted that PA is another name for nylon. Known for its excellent wear resistance, PA is found in many everyday items. But what is polyamide material, and why is it useful in so many industrial applications? Let’s take a look. 

What is polyamide made of? 

Polyamides are linear polymers whose repeating units are linked by amide (–CONH–) bonds. They are produced either by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactam (PA6) or by condensation of diamines and diacids (e.g., PA66). 

The basic PA polyamide formula includes repeating units of amide bonds and is represented as: 

[ {–NH–(CH₂)_n–CO–(CH₂)_m–CO–} _n

Depending on the polyamide type, n and m are the lengths of the hydrocarbon chains and –NH– is the amide bond. Though all PA shares a similar structure, the exact values ultimately depend on the PA material and monomers used in production. 

Polyamide (PA) properties 

Currently, the main types of polyamides on the market are nylon polyamide 6 (PA6 or Nylon 6) and Polyamide 66 (PA66 or Nylon 66). However, there are many other types of nylon pa. Below we compare several types of polyamides. 

Polyamide uses

While polyamide, or nylon, is indeed used in a variety of industries such as automotive, medical, and construction, it is most commonly associated with textiles.

⁠Polyamide fabric is a lightweight, moisture-wicking cloth popular for sportswear, jackets and more. While it is not stretchy on its own, when combined with elastane (i.e., spandex), it becomes incredibly durable. This combination, known as polyamide elastane fabric, and is common in swimwear, undergarments, activewear and other clothing where flexibility is important.

⁠We often get asked about polyamide vs polyester. Both are synthetic fibers, popular in apparel, but they have very different properties. Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and tends to be less expensive and more frequently recycled than polyamide.

PA: Versatile and tough

Thanks to their outstanding sturdiness, wear and abrasion resistance, and other countless benefits, PA resins are a well-liked material for industries across the world.