Monofilament is a popular material for textiles and other industrial applications. The process of creating monofilament is quite complex. The raw materials are mixed with a plasticizer, and then stretched through a die to achieve the desired properties. After being stretched, the polymer fibers are spun and molded into various shapes.
Industrial monofilament can be produced from thermoplastic polymers. Suitable thermoplastic polymers include polyolefins and polypropylene. Linear polyesters and polycaprolactam are also used for high-strength monofilament. These polymers have the characteristics needed to support high loads.
Industrial monofilament is drawn using a screw extruder with a die with nozzles. The inner diameter of the die is approximately 8 mm. A small fixed tube inside the nozzle is approximately 2.5 mm. It is connected to a fluid supply of 20 to 40 C.
The production of industrial monofilament has always been subject to certain challenges. The manufacturing process must be rapid enough to avoid hollow spaces, called vacuoles, within the monofilament. These vacuoles can account for up to 50% of the monofilament cross section. In fact, manufacturing industrial monofilament using thermoplastic polymers has a long list of technical challenges.
In addition to its industrial use, nylon monofilament also has medical applications. It is widely used in the detection of foot sensitivity in diabetic patients. North America is projected to experience significant growth in the target market, thanks to its growing population and medical industry. The region has high disposable income and is home to numerous diabetes patients.
Monofilament is the standard for sewing threads. Its translucent color blends in well with any fabric. Monofilament is available in refill and canister versions. The thread weighs about one pound per spool. Besides sewing applications, monofilament is an excellent choice for tire assemblies.
The global market for nylon monofilament includes North America and Asia Pacific. North America and Europe are expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. These markets are projected to see the highest demand for nylon monofilament, while emerging economies are expected to see growth in consumer goods and fishing. In addition, the aging population is also anticipated to fuel demand for this material.
