What is Polyamide Fabric?

When I purchased a birthday gift for my niece, who is an exceptional swimmer, the shopkeeper recommended a swimsuit made of polyamide fabric. I never heard the name before, and like any good fabric nerd, I decided to investigate! 

Polyamide, also called “Nylon”, is a kind of artificial fabric derived from oil-based feedstocks such as natural gas or petroleum. It also can be synthesized from renewable feedstocks such as corn starch. However, the most common source for Polyamide currently used is a petroleum-based product, mainly naphtha or coal tar sources (IPTC). More than 50% of synthetic fibers produced globally are Polyamide (IPTC). After World War II, Polyamide gained popularity due to its resistant properties compared to wool and cotton.

After some more in-depth research, I realized why the shopkeeper recommended a swimsuit made of polyamide fabric. Keep reading till the end! Let me share some interesting facts I came across while conducting my research.

Is Polyamide a good fabric?

Polyamides are excellent water-resistant synthetic fibers that are highly durable. Garment makers use polyamide fabrics for a wide variety of garments because of their low maintenance cost. High elasticity is another essential quality that makes Polyamide a fabulous material. Is Polyamide fabric stretchy?; yes! Though not all polyamide fabrics are equally stretchy, most are thoroughly flexible!

Is polyamide fabric similar to cotton?

The answer is no. Polyamide and cotton are both fibers, but they are very different. They look similar and can be used for many things – like making clothing. However, there is a lot more to these fabrics than it may seem. In short, polyamide fabric has several advantages over cotton that make it a much better choice in some cases. Cotton fabric can also have its benefits, depending on what you want from your clothes and other items made from them. If you’re trying to decide between using one or the other, take a few moments to consider which fabric might be best for your needs before going ahead with any shopping or sewing projects involving either kind of fiber.

Is Polyamide better than cotton?

Plant-based cotton fabric can be more challenging to care for than synthetic Polyamide because Cotton tends to pill and shed more often. In addition, unlike Polyamide, Cotton is not elastic, and therefore it isn’t ideal for fabric such as spandex or leotard fabrics. Polyamide fabric usually offers better stretch potential, making it a poor choice for creating clothing that needs to stretch, like sportswear, tights, or yoga clothes for instance. This type of material isn’t as breathable as cotton, which makes it uncomfortable in warm weather; its thermal properties trap body heat next to the skin, making you sweatier. On the other hand, cotton is both easy to maintain and highly durable.

How do they compare?

Polyamide is a synthetic fiber. Cotton, of course, comes from plants. Each of these materials also has its own unique properties that make it more useful for different purposes than the other. For example, Polyamide is usually more durable than cotton and thus is often used to create things like seatbelts, parachutes, and ropes that need to stand up well to wear and tear. It also tends to be softer than cotton, making it better suited for items designed for next-to-skin wear – like t-shirts or sleeping clothes. Polyamide can absorb water easily, so some people use this kind of fabric along with spandex or another type of stretchable material in sports gear like leotards. Despite all these positive characteristics, it does have a few negatives as well.

Polyamide compared with cotton

Polyamide fabric can be harder to take care of than cotton because it tends to pill and sheds more. It also doesn’t breathe well – which means that people who wear clothes made from it can experience an uncomfortable feeling of stickiness or warmth when the weather is hot. Cotton fabric has its own advantages over Polyamide, including being easy to maintain. Unlike Polyamide, Cotton typically won’t pill if you brush it lightly with something like a toothbrush or nail file. In addition, this kind of fiber breathes better than the synthetic variety, making your skin less likely to feel sweaty and therefore clammy in warm weather. Because of these features, cotton is often used for items like t-shirts or workout gear. It is also less elastic than Polyamide, so it doesn’t work for things like leotards.

Polyamide does not shrink easily, whereas cotton does! Taking care of a polyamide product is easier than cotton because polyamides do not wrinkle. Thus, once you airdry the garment, it’s all set to wear! However, remember that polyamides do not withstand very high temperatures and are usually not as breathable as cotton.

Cotton compared with polyamide

On the other hand, cotton is a natural fabric made from plant fiber that can be woven into textiles for various applications – including clothing! It’s soft, comfortable, and highly breathable, making it a popular choice for garments that are meant to be worn against the skin. It doesn’t have a high level of abrasion resistance, which can lead to tears and rips in clothing where buttons or zippers are used. This makes it unsuitable for use in items like jackets or trousers. Although cotton is easy to dye, its absorbency causes dyed portions of the fabric to fade over time due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Is Polyamide a breathable fabric?

Polyamide is often considered to be the professional’s choice when it comes to textile-based garments. And for a good reason, since its properties are ideal for clothing used by professionals exposed to inclement weather conditions or extreme work environments. Its smooth texture with low absorbency makes it perfect for off-duty activities.

However, Polyamide has its downside. The biggest drawback is that it is not very breathable. This impacts wearer comfort since Polyamide absorbs sweat only to a small degree and allows it to build up around the skin. This can lead to discomfort, rashes, or even irritation, making polyamide garments difficult to wear for prolonged periods. This factor would place Polyamide at the bottom of the list for casual clothing items like t-shirts. However, its low absorbency does make it popular among enthusiasts who engage in water activities like scuba diving or snorkeling.

Conclusion

Polyamides come in two forms: aromatic and aliphatic. Aliphatic polyamides are used for knitted or woven textiles such as shirts and pants while the other form, called aromatic, looms best with staple fibers like cotton creating sweatshirt-type items. The resilience of Polyamide can be compared to cotton by looking at their comforts, durability, and how well they take dyeing. They share similar characteristics but differ in texture and feel against the skin; Polyamide is smooth while cotton is more comfortable, and Polyamide has a shiny look while cotton has a matte appearance.