Is Nylon a Plastic?

Yes, nylon is a plastic — specifically, it’s a type of synthetic polymer belonging to the polyamide family. It was first developed in the 1930s and is one of the most widely used engineering plastics today.

Why Nylon is considered a Plastic

• Plastics are materials made of polymers — long chains of repeating molecules.
• Nylon is a man-made polymer produced through chemical polymerisation, making it a synthetic plastic.
• It’s classified as a thermoplastic, meaning it:
  • Softens when heated.
  • Hardens again when cooled.
  • Can be melted, extruded, and remoulded into different shapes like rods, sheets, or fibres.

More specific information on Nylon can be found on our blog, see Why Engineers Rely on Nylon 6 for High-Load, High-Wear Applications