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2025

The differences between polyester filament, nylon filament, polypropylene filament, and cotton yarn.

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Polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and cotton yarn are among the most commonly used raw materials in the textile industry. The differences among these materials can be understood from multiple perspectives, including their sources, properties, applications, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed comparison:

The differences between polyester filament, nylon filament, polypropylene filament, and cotton yarn.

Polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and cotton yarn are among the most commonly used raw materials in the textile industry. The differences among them can be understood from multiple perspectives, including their sources, properties, applications, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed comparative explanation:

I. Core Overview (One-sentence Distinction)

Polyester filament (polyester fiber): “Stiff and wrinkle-resistant” Synthetic fibers, which are high in strength and excellent at maintaining their shape, are widely used in apparel and home textiles.
Nylon filament (nylon, polyamide fiber): “Strong and wear-resistant” Synthetic fibers with excellent elasticity, particularly renowned for their high strength and abrasion resistance, are commonly used in sportswear, socks, and luggage.
Polypropylene filament (polypropylene fiber): “Lightweight and hydrophobic” Synthetic fibers that are the lightest and virtually non-absorbent, often used in industrial fabrics (such as geotextiles), carpets, and functional sportswear.
Cotton yarn (natural cellulose fiber): “Skin-friendly and breathable” Made from natural fibers, it boasts excellent moisture absorption, softness and comfort, and strong skin compatibility—making it a fundamental material for everyday clothing.

II. Detailed Comparison Table

Feature	Polyester	Nylon/nylon (Nylon)	Polypropylene (Polypropylene)	Cotton yarn
Chemical nature	Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)	Polyamide (PA)	Polypropylene (PP)	Natural cellulose
Source	Synthesis of petrochemical products	Synthesis of petrochemical products	Synthesis of petrochemical products	Cotton plant
Hand feel	Smooth, sometimes with a firm texture (can be improved through processing).	Smooth and elastic.	Waxy texture, relatively hard	Soft, warm, and naturally slightly textured.
Intensity	Very high Remains unchanged in both dry and wet states.	One of the highest among all fibers Extremely wear-resistant.	Good strength, but lower than polyester and nylon.	Generally, the wet strength actually increases by about 20%.
Elastic recoverability	Okay, anti-wrinkle and shape-retaining.	Excellent , strong recovery ability after stretching	Better	Poor, prone to wrinkling, and lacking in shape retention.
Hygroscopicity	Poor (Standard moisture regain rate: approximately 0.4%)	Poorer (about 4%), slightly better than polyester.	Extremely poor (Almost non-absorbent, with a moisture regain rate of 0%)	Excellent (Standard moisture regain rate approximately 8.5%), sweat-absorbent and breathable
Colorability	Use disperse dyes and dye at high temperature and pressure. Good dyeability, complete chromatography.		It's hard to dye. Commonly used in original solution coloring (adding color masterbatch before spinning)	Easily dyed; suitable for reactive dyes, direct dyes, and more.
Heat resistance	Good (softening point approximately 230°C)	Poorer performance (softening point around 180°C), easily shrinks when exposed to heat.	Poor (softening point around 140°C), good low-temperature resistance.	Good (heat-resistant), but flammable.
Lightfastness	Excellent UV-resistant	Poor Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause yellowing and a decrease in strength.	Poor quality; requires the addition of an anti-aging agent.	Generally, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause oxidation and make it brittle.
Chemical resistance	Acid-resistant, but not resistant to concentrated alkalis.	Alkali-resistant, but not resistant to concentrated acids.	Acid- and alkali-resistant chemical stability Excellent	Alkali-resistant (can be mercerized), acid-sensitive
Main advantages	Durable and long-lasting, crisp and wrinkle-resistant, easy to wash and quick-drying, dimensionally stable.	High strength, excellent elasticity, lightweight and soft.	Lightest (Density: 0.91), quick-drying, non-absorbent, low cost, and chemically resistant.	Moisture-absorbing and breathable, skin-friendly and comfortable, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Main drawbacks	Hygroscopicity difference, prone to static electricity, poor breathability, melt perforation	Poor heat and light resistance, and still insufficient moisture absorption.	Barely hygroscopic, poor heat resistance, difficult to dye, and prone to aging.	Prone to wrinkling, shrinkage, and mold growth; has moderate strength in the dry state.
Typical applications	Clothing Shirts, jackets, pants, sportswear.	Clothing Sportswear, yoga wear, swimwear, socks, underwear.	Industry Geotextiles, filter fabrics, packaging materials.	Clothing T-shirts, shirts, underwear, jeans, towels.
	Home textiles Duvet cover, curtains.	Industry Seat belts, parachutes, fishing nets, ropes, luggage.	Home textiles Carpet backing fabric, interior decoration fabric.	Home textiles Bed sheets, duvet covers, towels.
	Industry Tire cord fabric, conveyor belts.		Clothing Functional sports underwear (sweat-wicking layer), diaper cover layer.

III. How to easily identify?

1. Combustion method (the most intuitive):

Polyester: It shrinks when brought near a flame, emits black smoke when burned, and has a yellow flame with a fragrant aroma (similar to a sweet scent). The ash is a hard, dark-brown lump.
Nylon: When brought near a flame, it melts and drips; it burns slowly, emitting white smoke. Celery or ammonia smell (Alkaline odor), the ash is a light-brown, hard sphere.
Polypropylene: Melts and burns as it approaches the flame; the flame is bright and blue, with... Paraffin or asphalt odor The ash is a grayish-white hard mass.
Cotton yarn: It ignites immediately upon contact with flame, and the flame is yellow in color, with... The smell of burning paper The ash is fine, soft, and grayish-black.

2. Hand feel and water test:

Water absorption: When a drop of water is placed on the fabric, cotton quickly absorbs and spreads it; polyester, nylon—and especially polypropylene—form water beads and are very difficult to absorb.
Hand feel and drape: Polyester is typically stiff and crisp; nylon has a distinctive smooth, slippery feel and excellent elasticity; cotton fabric is soft but tends to wrinkle easily; polypropylene is relatively lightweight and has a waxy texture.

IV. Development Trends and Blended Fabrics

In modern textiles, Pure spinning Less frequent now; more often through Blended fabric To learn from each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses:

Polyester-cotton blend (T/C): Combining the crisp, wrinkle-resistant qualities of polyester with the comfort and breathability of cotton, this fabric is commonly used for shirts and workwear.
Cotton and brocade blend: Increase the strength and abrasion resistance of cotton products.
Polyester/nylon/spandex blend: For sportswear, balancing strength, elasticity, and shape retention.
Polypropylene blended with other fibers: Commonly used in functional fabrics and industrial textiles.

In summary:

The choice of material depends on the requirements of the final product. Pursue... Comfortable and natural Select Cotton ; Pursuit Durable and easy to use Select wisely Polyester ; chase Seeking high strength, wear resistance, and elasticity. Select Nylon ; Pursuit Lightweight, quick-drying, and chemically stable Then it may be selected. Polypropylene And most textiles on the market are the result of their intelligent combination.