Polymer family and type common names

and trade names deniers

(gm/9,000 m) tensile

strength

(gm/denier) elongation

at break

(%) initial

modulus

(gm/denier) apparel and home-

furnishing applications industrial applications

Cellulosics (industrial polymers, major)

Regenerated cellulose rayon (industrial polymers, major) 2-3 2.0-2.1 17-20 -- area rugs, substitute for

cotton in clothing disposable nonwoven

fabrics, tire cord, paper

Cellulose triacetate (industrial polymers, major) acetate, Arnel 2-3 1.2-1.4 25-28 35-40 suit coat linings cigarette filters

Polyamide (industrial polymers, major)

Polycaprolactam (textile fibre) nylon 6 (textile) (industrial polymers, major) 1.5-5 4.5-6.8 23-43 25-35 hosiery, lingerie, sports

garments, soft-sided

luggage, upholstery no significant applications

Polyhexamethylene adipamide

(textile fibre) nylon 6,6 (textile) (industrial polymers, major) 1.5-5 4.5-6.8 23-43 25-35 hosiery, lingerie, sports

garments, soft-sided

luggage, upholstery no significant applications

Polycaprolactam (industrial

fibre) nylon 6 (industrial) (industrial polymers, major) 1.5-5 8.5-9.5 12-17 33-46 no significant applications tires, ropes, seat belts,

parachutes, fishing lines

and nets, hoses

Polyhexamethylene adipamide

(industrial fibre) nylon 6,6 (industrial) (industrial polymers, major) 1.5-5 8.5-9.5 12-17 33-46 no significant applications tires, ropes, seat belts,

parachutes, fishing lines

and nets, hoses

Aramid (industrial polymers, major)

Poly-p-phenylene tereph-

thalamide Kevlar, Twaron,

Technora 1.0-1.5 25-30 3-6 500-1,000 no significant applications radial tire belts, bulletproof

vests, reinforcement for

boat hulls and aircraft

panels

Poly-m-phenylene isoph-

thalamide Nomex, Conex 2-5 3-6 2-30 130-150 no significant applications filter bags for hot stack

gases, flame-resistant

clothing

Polyester (industrial polymers, major)

Polyethylene terephthalate (industrial polymers, major) Dacron, Terylene,

Trevira 1.5-5 4.7-6.0 35-50 25-50 permanent-press clothing,

fibrefill insulation,

carpets sewing thread, seat belts,

tire yarns, nonwoven

fabrics

Polyacrylonitrile (industrial polymers, major)

Acrylic (industrial polymers, major) (\\>85% acrylonitrile) Acrilan, Creslan,

Courtelle 2-8 2.5-4.5 27-48 25-63 substitute for wool--e.g., in

sweaters, hosiery,

blankets filters, battery separators,

substitute for asbestos

in cement

Modacrylic (industrial polymers, major) (35-85%

acrylonitrile) Verel, SEF 2-8 2.5-4.5 27-48 22-56 flame-resistant clothing--

e.g., artificial fur,

children's sleepwear flame-resistant awnings,

tents, boat covers

Polypropylene (industrial polymers, major) Herculon, Marvess 2-10 5-9 15-30 29-45 upholstery, carpets, carpet

backing ropes, nets, disposable

nonwoven fabrics

Polyethylene (industrial polymers, major)

Regular (industrial polymers, major) 2-10 2-4 20-40 -- no significant applications cordage, webbing

High-modulus (industrial polymers, major) Dyneema, Spectra -- 30-35 2.7-3.5 1,370-2,016 no significant applications reinforcement for boat

hulls, bulletproof vests

Polyurethane (industrial polymers, major) spandex, Lycra (industrial polymers, major) 2.5-20 0.6-1.5 400-600 -- stretch fabrics--e.g., for

sportswear, swimsuits no significant applications