The document summarizes a video about the production of nylon fibers. It traces the process from extracting nylon as a byproduct of petroleum cracking to finished nylon products. The key steps discussed are polymerization, melt spinning, extrusion, drawing, modifying fiber properties, and creating yarns for various industrial and consumer uses such as carpet, apparel, and other fabrics. Background information is provided on the chemistry of nylon production and properties. Worksheets and activities accompany the video to teach students about nylon fibers.

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PROGRAM SUMMARY TIMING INFORMATION
“Nylon- fibre to fabric”, traces the manufacture and Please set your VCR to 00:00 at the program start.
production of nylon filament from its source as a
V I D E O byproduct of petroleum cracking, to finished products
for use by the consumer and industry. Suitable for a
Minute Sectional Header
00.00 Nylon – Fibre to Fabric
wide range of syllabus content areas, the video 03.00 Melt Spinning
Teacher’s Notes portrays concepts relating to the scientific and 03.30 Extrusion – Yarn Production
technological aspects of synthetic materials production, 04.40 Drawing – Molecular Orientation
properties of synthetics, and materials engineering for 05.20 Properties and Uses
NYLON- specific end uses. 06.40
09.10
Modifying Fibre Properties
Creating Industrial Fibres
Students of Textiles and Design, Design and
FIBRE TO Technology, Home Economics programmes and
Chemistry will be introduced to the concepts of
10.20
11.30
Creating Carpet Yarns
Creating Apparel Yarns
12.20 Identifying Needs
FABRIC polymerisation, molecular science, synthetic fibre
production, fibre engineering, principles of weaving, 14.00
18.50
Woven Nylon Products
Knitted Nylon Productions
principles of warp and weft knitting, computer aided
design in the development of textile products and
garment assembly and production. The chemistry of BACKGROUND NOTES
fibres, manufacturing procedures and the creation of Nylon is a manufactured or human-made fibre
products for the consumer market and industrial consisting of polyamides. The raw material for nylon is
applications are presented in case studies tracing sourced as a by-product of petroleum cracking. The
developments through the design process. starting materials consist of two types:
Worksheet masters containing questions to focus (i) a mixture of a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine; and
student attention, are supplied to support the video. The
(ii) an amino acid. Nylons produced from a mixture of a
questions are arranged in blocks under key headers
dicarboxylic acid and diamine are referred to by
corresponding to sectional headers in the video. The
two numerals – Nylon 6.6, the first numeral
video can be played entirely or section by section to
indicating the number of carbon atoms in the
allow the opportunity for discussion of key concepts as
diamine and the second the number of carbon
they are presented. Additional worksheets with
atoms in the carboxylic acid. Nylons produced
activities are included providing an holistic teaching
from an amino acid are referred to by a single
Duration: 24 mins approach to this area of study. Times are included
numeral – Nylon 6 or Nylon 11. This indicates the
below as a ready reference.
Years: 7-12 number of carbon atoms in the amino acid.

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Nylon is produced by a melt spinning process in both By changing the shape of the spinneret hole, different
monofilament and multifilament forms. When blended cross sections can be achieved to impart superior lustre
with other fibres or for some end uses, the nylon and handle to the fibre. Delustering agents are often CREDITS
filament may be cut into staple lengths or tow. After used to dull nylons with a circular cross section. The Producer/Director
spinning the yarns are drawn to orient the molecular presence of titanium dioxide can be seen under the Andrew Greig
chains. Drawing increases the crystallinity of the fibre microscope.
and thus increases the fibre strength and elastic
Nylon is mostly dyed with disperse and acid dyestuffs.
recovery. Various processes including texturising are Editor
It is hydrophobic by nature or repels water but can be
used to improve the bulk and texture of yarns.
physically modified to improve comfort factors or Philip Mcquire
Nylon fibres viewed under a microscope with ordinary blended with hydrophilic fibres. Anti-static agents are
illumination, are regular and usually circular in cross section. often incorporated to counteract the effects of static
electricity. This is particularly the case with nylon for Teachers notes
Longitudinal Section Circular Cross Section
carpet yarns. Margaret Jacobsen
Nylon is resistant to alkalis and insoluble in many
solvents. Strong acids however such as concentrated
Footage supplied by
hydrochloric acid will dissolve nylon. The fibre is
thermoplastic and can be heat set. Dupont - ICI
Nylon is extremely versatile and finds application in a
wide variety of end uses including apparel, tyre cord,
hiking and camping gear, ski wear and parachute fabrics.
Fig 1: Nylon 6.6 Fig2: Nylon 6.6 Copyright CLASSROOM VIDEO (1997)
500 x Magnification 400 x Magnification These teacher’s notes contain and Orders: Classroom Video
Trilobal Longitudinal Trilobal Cross • Program Summary c/- EMDC
Section Section • Background Notes
• Video Checklist 10 Fitt Court, Bendigo, VIC 3550
• Activity Master – The Facts about Nylon email: customerservice@classroomvideo.com.au
• Activity Master – Crossword
Phone: 1800 644 254 - Fax: 1800 282 129
• Activity Master – Visit the Market Place
• Activity Master – Laboratory Activities:
Identifying Nylon
• Activity Master – Burning Test
• Activity Master – Solubility Test
Fig 3: Nylon 6.6 Trilobal Fig 4: Nylon 6.6 Trilobal
500 x Magnification 300 x Magnification