Engineering English
Nylon
Materials Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A family of synthetic polyamide thermoplastics known for high strength, toughness, and abrasion resistance, widely used in fibers, gears, bearings, and mechanical components.
Example in context
“The gear train in this industrial printer uses injection-molded nylon to provide quiet operation and long wear life.”
“Bu endüstriyel yazıcıdaki dişli takımı, sessiz çalışma ve uzun aşınma ömrü sağlamak için enjeksiyon kalıplanmış naylon kullanır.”
Where engineers use it
Nylon is chosen for sliding and rotating parts like bushings, gears, and rollers due to its low friction and high mechanical strength. Engineers also use it in fiber-reinforced forms for structural applications.
Synonyms: Polyamide, PA
Practice: can you use “Nylon” at work?
A design review requires replacing a metal bushing in a conveyor system to reduce weight and noise. Justify the substitution with nylon and explain key material properties.
Show a model answer
“These bearing surfaces should be machined from nylon to reduce friction and eliminate lubrication.”
“Nylon” in 21 languages
| English | Nylon |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Naylon |
| French | Nylon |
| German | Nylon |
| Spanish | Nailon |
| Chinese | 尼龙 |
| Arabic | نايلون |
| Portuguese | Nylon |
| Russian | Нейлон |
| Japanese | ナイロン |
| Italian | Nylon |
| Vietnamese | Nylon |
| Hindi | नायलॉन |
| Thai | ไนลอน |
| Indonesian | Nilon |
| Korean | 나일론 |
| Bengali | নাইলন |
| Dutch | Nylon |
| Swedish | Nylon |
| Finnish | Nylon |
| Ukrainian | Нейлон |
Frequently asked questions
What does Nylon mean in engineering?
A family of synthetic polyamide thermoplastics known for high strength, toughness, and abrasion resistance, widely used in fibers, gears, bearings, and mechanical components. In Materials Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Nylon?
Nylon is pronounced /ˈnaɪlɒn/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Nylon used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The gear train in this industrial printer uses injection-molded nylon to provide quiet operation and long wear life.”
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