Old Nylon

[Onoff]

I've just found a 6' length of 25mm/1" dia, white/natural nylon. It's been sat out side, in all weathers for around 20 years at a guess. It's a bit bent over the length but will it still be useable? I believe nylon might be hydroscopic, absorb water and thus swell. If you store it dry dies it shrink back? Cheers.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I've just found a 6' length of 25mm/1" dia, white/natural nylon. It's been sat out side, in all weathers for around 20 years at a guess. It's a bit bent over the length but will it still be useable? I believe nylon might be hydroscopic, absorb water and thus swell. If you store it dry dies it shrink back? Cheers.

Well nylon filament takes enough water in to make it unusable in about 24 hours! It does dry out though, so I see no reason why yours shouldn't.

 

[Kram]

Id be more worried of UV degredation if its been in the sun. Water will worsen its properties but likely good enough for most purposes. What do you plan for it?

 

[Onoff]

What do you plan for it

No ideas. I got it from work probably 30 years ago. Tbh it's been sat under a pile of leaves and rubbish for years. Welcome to a bit if you want.

 

[Red'n'Black]

My understanding is it actually needs a certain amount of moisture content to stop it going brittle, hence why some people keep their strimmer line in a bucket of water.

I worked with a few guys who made high vacuum gear and they couldn't use nylon, once the water has all evaporated it just crumbles to bits.

 

[RichardM]

Nylon is hygroscopic, when I used to order the stuff for work it was delivered "wet" which makes it more supple. Dependent on what you want to do with it either chuck it in some water so it absorbs it evenly which may straighten it out or leave it to dry out. Naturaly it carries about 3% but can absorb 10%.
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