Sewing thread polyester vs bonded nylon

[CowboyBob]

I've been told that the Polyester thread is made from many short strands,so if you use it where it rubs against something like the inside of a belt it pulls some of the strands off the thread giving a fuzzy look after a while.Nylon doesn't do this since the strands are alot longer & stiffer.

[Wizcrafts]

I keep bonded polyester thread in stock in black and white, in sizes 92, 138 and 207. I use it when I make or repair outdoor projects, like motorcycle seats. I get bike seats and tarps in where the nylon thread gave up from exposure to the elements. Other than that, it costs a couple bucks more per spool than nylon.

None of these compare to what I spent on one pound spools of Barbour's Irish Linen thread for Union Lockstitch machines.

[Gymnast]

Even though this is an 2½ year old thread, I think it will be in order to revive it, because I know most people above giving information is still active in this forum.

I have read the good references given above. I like to add, that in my impression that, nylon can be harder to color, and the amount of colors to buy are more limited with polyester thread.

I guess, that the main advantage of nylon thread is, that it stretch more with the same tensile load. Nylon have got a lower youngs module than Polyester. If you get a concentrated tensile load on a seam, then nylon will be able to spread the load to more stitches than polyester. If you get one thread broken one place in a seam, the seam will slowly start to unravel from this position in the further use of the sewn product. Nylon do not seem to have a significantly higher tensile strength, than polyester got. I have noticed, that the thread brand, Amann recommends the use of nylon thread in high strength webbing applications for lifting purposes, that require high safety issues as well.

However I discovered yesterday a video from Dr. Bob from Superior Threads. He mention, that nylon got a problem of being brittle over time, and got a low heat tolerance. I know, that the melting point of nylon and polyester got about the same melting temperature, but it do not mean, that a lower temperature may affect the thread. I know that Superior Threads do also sell nylon threads for leather. His audience in this video is garment home sewers - it may also be an issue here. But do Dr. Bob got a point here?

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by Gymnast

[nylonRigging]

7 hours ago, Gymnast said:

Even though this is an 2½ year old thread, I think it will be in order to revive it, because I know most people above giving information is still active in this forum.

I have read the good references given above. I like to add, that in my impression that, nylon can be harder to color, and the amount of colors to buy are more limited with polyester thread.

I guess, that the main advantage of nylon thread is, that it stretch more with the same tensile load. Nylon have got a lower youngs module than Polyester. If you get a concentrated tensile load on a seam, then nylon will be able to spread the load to more stitches than polyester. If you get one thread broken one place in a seam, the seam will slowly start to unravel from this position in the further use of the sewn product. Nylon do not seem to have a significantly higher tensile strength, than polyester got. I have noticed, that the thread brand, Amann recommends the use of nylon thread in high strength webbing applications for lifting purposes, that require high safety issues as well.

However I discovered yesterday a video from Dr. Bob from Superior Threads. He mention, that nylon got a problem of being brittle over time, and got a low heat tolerance. I know, that the melting point of nylon and polyester got about the same melting temperature, but it do not mean, that a lower temperature may affect the thread. I know that Superior Threads do also sell nylon threads for leather. His audience in this video is garment home sewers - it may also be an issue here. But do Dr. Bob got a point here?

 

I used to buy a lot of Nylon #69 and some #227 off Superior Thread Co.  . I liked the quality of there nylon they sold, it was always nice and smooth thread and came of the rolls nice to.  They used to have and mail-out, a specific color sample and thread size chart/card, they would send you for only Nylon/poly thread buying.
Nylon is strong good for abrasion, and also in the terms of for specific application of static and dynamic, stretch is specified as very good thing.

Looks like in this Vid. , Dr. Bob is a pedaling his goods for sale, to the neighborhood Quilting Bee . but.. Not making fun of quilting, as my Mom can kick my ass when sewing Quilts and crochet an Afghan.
.