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There are numerous types of nylon; however the two used to produce carpet fibers are type 6, 6 and type 6…. Since 1947, the carpet industry has moved through five generations of nylon carpet fibers; however, all, to some degree, are still found in carpet manufactured today. The generation can best be distinguished by technical advances in the performance of the nylon fiber.
The first generation nylon fibers were round, clear, and readily showed soil. Being round, clear, the fibers actually magnified the soil. Inherent static build-up was ,and still is a disadvantage of this type of fiber.
The second generation of nylon fibers effectively reduced soil magnification by changing the fiber shape or cross section from round to non- circularconfiguration. Thesesecond generation nylon fibers are sometimes referred to as soil hiding types.
The third generation nylons are characterized by improved soil-hiding properties and built in static protection. The soil hiding characteristics were improved, in some cases, by further modifying the cross sections and by adding a delustering agent to the fiber. The anti- static properties can be brought about by the use of conductive filaments (metallic or carbon-based) incorporated within the nylon fibers.
The fourth generation nylons go one step further by adding carpet protectors to the fiber to make them soil resistant. Some fiber producers have also included anti-microbial treatments in or on the fiber.
Technical developments have provided improved stain release properties to some advanced generation nylon fibers; some of which are promoted as” fifth generation” nylon.
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