When deciding on a synthetic fiber for a specific application, the choice usually comes down to nylon and polyester. Understanding the different characteristics of nylon is critical to determining which synthetic fabric will best suit your consumers’ needs. Generally, nylon is silky smooth, strong, tough, durable, and lighter weight compared to polyester. Since nylon fabric features synthetic plastic, it’s highly resistant to attacks from molds, insects, and fungi.

Nylon resists water and dries quickly compared to natural fibers, but it’s not as hydrophobic as polyester. Nylon soaks up twice the amount of water that polyester absorbs.

To further break down why understanding the characteristics of nylon matters, let’s create a scenario. Take for instance, a contest to see which fabric dries faster. In a drying contest, nylon fabric comes in third, behind first place polyester and second place cotton. Polyester fabric absorbs almost zero water and offers absolutely no stretch. Traditionally, polyester was used for ropes made to tie ships to docks. If nylon was used for the same application, the ropes would become too heavy for sailors to handle due to water absorption.