[Jacob]

How can i produce nylon fibres suitable for demonstration in a 5 - 10 min window?

[constant thinker]

Have you tried...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon

[P]

For classroom demo there is a classic experiment.

Type "Nylon rope trick" into google. or just follow this link: http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/lecturedemo/info/Nylon_Rope_Trick.html

I done this experiment at a uni open day once as a demo for prospective students.

[Donaldson Tan]

This experiment is so neat!

[P]

Yea, it's quite cool.  The hardest part is getting the rate at which you pull off the nylon right. Too fast and the 'rope' snaps  -  too slow and you get large eneven globs of material rather than a rope/string like product.           

[viajador]

hi there!

From your experince, do you think the Nylon Rope Trick is safe to let students do it themselfs in the classroom? The room has a ventilated shaft and the students will be equiped with gloves and gogles.

What is your opinion on this? The chemicals used are intimidating, but I'm talking about students from 15 years old up.

[P]

Traditionally I think the teacher usually does this.  The chems are a bit nasty.   I'd show the MSDS's involved to the person responsible for the safety of the children and discuss it with them.  If you did let them loose with it then you could give them a safety talk first outlining the hazards involved with the chems in use?  But to answer question truthfully  -  I do not know..  

Regards,

P.

[Mitch]

Most preps use chlorinated solvents, and that is the most striking health hazard if memory serves.

[P]

Most preps use chlorinated solvents, and that is the most striking health hazard if memory serves.

Yea - some of the monomers are a bit corrosive though - I cut and paste this from the demo instructions.  Sounds safe enough - depends on the age of the kids I suppose.

""Sebacoyl chloride is corrosive and reacts with water, so it causes severe burns to every area of contact. It is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin.
1,6-diaminohexane is corrosive. It causes burnes to any area of contact. It is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin. 1,6-diaminohexane is extremely destructive to the upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin. It is combustible either as liquid or as vapor.
Solid sodium hydroxide and its concentrated solutions can cause severe burns to eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.
Overexposure to vapors of hexane is irritating to the respiratory tract. Contact with liquid is irritating to skin and to eyes. ""

[P-man]

How can i produce nylon fibres suitable for demonstration in a 5 - 10 min window?

Are you a chem teacher... you must be insanely good to go around looking for ways to produce nylon in a classroom. I wish my chem teacher did that...