Nylon 6 or
polycaprolactam is a
polymer developed by
Paul Schlack at
IG Farben to reproduce the properties of
nylon 6,6 without violating the
patent on its production. It is a
semicrystalline polyamide. Unlike most other
nylons, nylon 6 is not a
condensation polymer, but instead is formed by
ring-opening polymerization; this makes it a special case in the comparison between condensation and
addition polymers. Its competition with nylon 6,6 and the example it set have also shaped the economics of the
synthetic fiber industry. It is sold under numerous trade names including Perlon (Germany), Nylatron, Capron, Ultramid, Akulon, Kapron (former Soviet Union and satellite states), and Durethan.