Nylon Investigation
Subject Area: Chemistry
Grade Level: High School Chemistry
Lesson Title: Nylon Investigation
National Science Standards:
 Science as Inquiry: 9–12
Physical Science Standards:
 Structure and Properties of Matter: 9–12
 Chemical Reactions: 9–12
Suggested Prior Knowledge: concepts of polymerization, polymers
Purpose: To understand how a polymer (Nylon) is made and to research the history of
some polymers
Key Vocabulary:
monomer—individual repeating portion of a larger polymer molecule
nylon—generic name for a family of polyamide polymers
polymer—chemical compound formed from many bonded similar repeating units
called monomers
polymerization—process through which a polymer forms from the bonding together
of monomers. There are many forms of polymerization and different systems exist to
categorize them
Objectives:
1. Students will be able to discuss the formation of nylon.
2. Students will investigate the physical properties of nylon.
3. Students will research the history of a polymer.
Materials:
- Safety goggles
- Adipoyl chloride solution, 0.25M in hexane (10 ml/group)
Nylon Investigation (High School Level)
- Hexamethylenediamine solution, 0.50M in 0.50M NaOH (10 ml/group)
- 50 ml beaker (one/group)
- Paper clip
- Water
- Food coloring (red)
- Paper towels
Procedure:
1. At the 1939 World’s Fair, the DuPont company exhibited nylon, the world’s first
synthetic polymer fiber. They touted the polymer as “strong as steel, as fine as a spider’s
web, yet more elastic than any of the common natural fibers!” Discuss with students the
natural and synthetic polymers with which they may be familiar. Discuss the
polymerization reaction and how monomers are bonded together to form polymers. In the
lab portion of this activity, students will make their own nylon and investigate its
physical properties.
2. Students will follow up this lab experience with independent research into the history
of other synthetic polymers, their production processes, and their uses.
3. Lab safety protocols should be followed. Goggles should be worn at all times.
4. Procedure:
a. Each group will need 10 ml of each reagent, a paper clip, and a 50 ml beaker.
b. Place the 10 ml of 0.25M adipoyl chloride solution (in hexane) into the beaker.
c. Add 10 ml of the 0.50M hexamethylenediamine solution (in 0.50M NaOH) slowly,
taking care not to allow the solutions to mix too much. This solution should be pink; if
the color has faded add 1–2 drops of red food coloring. Do not stir or mix the solutions.
The two solutions are immiscible (they will not mix).
d. A white film will form at the interface of the two solutions.
e. Use the paper clip, opened out to form a hook shape, to pull the nylon film out of the
solutions. Pull the strands out slowly until all of the film is removed.
f. Rinse the nylon several times with water and let dry on paper towels.
5. Once students have made their nylon, they can develop an investigation to learn about
the physical properties of the nylon polymer. Encourage students to design a valid
investigation that will allow them observe properties such as elasticity, strength, and
flexibility. Some possible procedures include the following:
 Testing strength: hold each end of a strand of nylon and hang weights from the
middle to determine what mass the nylon will hold.
 Testing elasticity: measure the length of a strand of nylon, then stretch the strand
out as far as possible and measure the length of the stretched strand. Calculate the
percent increase in the strand’s length.
Nylon Investigation (High School Level)
6. After the students have finished their investigation, they should be able to describe
both the chemical reaction they observed and the physical properties of the nylon they
made in the lab.
7. Students may present their findings to their classmates and compare their results with
those of their classmates.
8. Follow-up research into the composition and history of synthetic (or even natural)
polymers is a great extension of this lesson.
Additional Resources:
http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety.asp
http://www.ehow.com/how_4451417_make-nylon.html
http://inventors.about.com/od/nstartinventions/a/nylon.htm
http://www.fibersource.com/F-TUTOR/history.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon
Nylon Investigation (High School Level)
Student Worksheet for Nylon Investigation
Experiment Title: _____________________________Date: _______Name: __________
Student Hypothesis: _______________________________________________________
Materials:
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Procedure:
Wear safety goggles for all lab work.
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Nylon Investigation (High School Level)
Data and Observations:
Analysis of Data: _________________________________________________________
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Nylon Investigation (High School Level)
Conclusions: _____________________________________________________________
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Nylon Investigation (High School Level)