What are the characteristics of nylon?

Nylon is a synthetic polymer that melts rather than burns, is highly resistant to most chemicals and decomposition, is resilient and can be elongated to a high degree. Nylon materials are typically silky and have been used for many commercial products like toothbrushes and clothing, as well as military equipment.

Nylon was invented and unveiled in the 1930s as the world's first synthetic thermoplastic polymer. A thermoplastic has many useful properties. The most important of which is a high melting point. When thermoplastics are heated, they become pliable, allowing them to be molded into almost any shape and withstand high amounts of stress without breaking.