Tips for Choosing Nylon vs. Polyester Gloves

History of Nylon

Nylon is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer, initially developed by DuPont, an American chemical company. With the development of science and technology and the advancement of industrial technology, nylon continues to be improved and innovated, and more types of nylon appear, such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, nylon 12, etc., each of which has different properties and applications, and is nowadays widely used in textiles, industrial materials, plastic products and other fields. Its abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, high strength and other characteristics make it one of the indispensable materials in many industries.

Nylon Properties

Elasticity and comfort make nylon widely used in light industrial gloves. And nylon fibers are easier to dye, making it popular in cut resistant gloves, where nylon is wrapped around stronger cut resistant fibers such as glass or steel. Stronger and more comfortable than polyester fibers, nylon work gloves have become the universal lightweight work glove for applications that require dexterity but offer more protection than disposable gloves.

Polyester and nylon share very similar characteristics, the most significant advantage being that it can be combined with natural and synthetic fibers to create soft, abrasion-resistant items, and is known as the “workhorse fiber” in most industries because of the strength and durability of the lightweight material.

Like nylon, most polyester resins are derived from petroleum products, and polyester is cheaper than nylon; however, polyester has many advantages beyond cost:

Highly UV resistant and colorfast

incredibly water resistant due to its hydrophobic nature

Versatile fiber that blends well with other fibers and can be used in a variety of garments

Durable and resistant to many chemicals

Although nylon and polyester are both synthetic materials that trace their history back to the same chemists and companies, there are some differences between them. First, polyester is cheaper to manufacture, so products made of nylon are usually more expensive than those made of polyester. Second, nylon is softer, while polyester has a rougher feel if not blended with other fibers. However, advances in technology have improved the comfort of polyester, and while both materials are very durable, nylon is the stronger of the two.

Due to its hydrophilic nature, nylon also absorbs water, which means garments can get wet with water faster than other materials. However, the benefits of nylon outweigh its drawbacks, and it remains a popular material choice for a variety of applications. Here are just a few of the many applications for nylon.

Nylon Uses:

Apparel – hats, underwear, shirts, fluorescent clothing, ponchos, underwear, swimwear, nylon threads

Defense – parachutes, tactical gear

Fisheries – fishing nets, ropes

Automotive industry – airbags, bearings, wire harness connectors, timing belts

Manufacturing and warehousing – conveyor belts, fasteners, machine parts

The most common type of nylon work glove is the white inspector’s glove, as its low linting quality makes it ideal for inspections. Their white color makes it easy to see contaminants during inspections. Black and gray nylon work gloves hide dirt and provide some durability for extended use, while nitrile or urethane-impregnated rubber provides better grip in oily environments.