Published July 1968
Nylons are said to constitute the most valuable products of the chemical industry. The rapid growth in both capacity and consumption that has characterized the industry in the past is continuing. Nylon 6 is one of the nylons which are defined as polymers that have amide groups -NHCO- recurring as integral parts of the polymer chain. Practically all nylon produced is either nylon 6, which is the polymer of caprolactam; or nylon 66, the polymer of hexamethylenediammonium adipate. The properties are generally similar, and statistics frequently lump all nylons together.
This report is limited to nylon 6, except insofar as superficial comparisons are necessary to give a valid analysis of this nylon. The results of an extensive study of worldwide literature and process designs based on nonproprietary information are presented. It was not possible to examine in detail the formidable amount but there is much duplication.
Designs are presented for the production of tire and industrial cord, which is the largest single market, as well as for textile yarn, which is the most widely distributed market from the geographical standpoint. It was also not possible to study the other major product, carpet yarn, in similar detail, but some information is developed on plastics as a by-product of fiber production. Staple fiber is a relatively minor aspect of the nylon fiber picture. The production of the monomer, caprolactam, is the subject of PEP Report No. 7.
