German Fishing Line Manufacturer
16 Mins Read
August 14, 2024

Monofilament Line: 12 Things You Need To Know (2024)

  • PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
Intro:  
This is the comprehensive guide to the monofilament line. In this guide, you´ll get all-round valuable information you need to know about monofilament.
Table of contents
  1. Author(GER-LINE®) Intro
  2. Brief Intro for Monofilament
  3. Types of Monofilament
  4. Monofilament Test
  5. Monofilament Winding & Packaging
  6. Monofilament Coloring & Dyeing
  7. Monofilament Quality Factors
  8. Use of Monofilament
  9. Monofilament Performance
  10. Monofilament Supply Chains
  11. Monofilament History 
  12. Monofilament Environmental Concerns
Frank Hennig is the inspiring entrepreneur who founded - GER-LINE®

Author Intro – Why do we(GER-LINE®) write this blog?

  1. The reason to compel us to write this guide, is that we ever struggled with similar problems as most in the monofilament business. There are very few comprehensive blogs or information about monofilament line, esp. for people in B2B business.
  2. We write this guide, because we have had 16+ years of business experience with monofilament, and built up supply chains throughout the whole of Europe. We supply both the best monofilament line and business solutions to clients in various industries globally.
Monofilament Line_Brief Intro

Brief Intro – What is monofilament line?

The monofilament line, is also called monofilament, or monofilament fishing line, both are used interchangeably and are equivalent in meaning, esp. in the sport fishing industry.
Monofilament is made by melting and mixing polymers and then extruding the mixture through tiny holes, forming a single, continuous filament of various thicknesses, as opposed to the multi-filament (called braided line, or PE line).
It has two types of monofilament lines: One is the nylon monofilament made from combinations of polymers and copolymers. The other one is the fluorocarbon line made from fluoropolymer(PVDF).
Four Main Types of Nylon Monofilament Line

Types – What are the main types of nylon monofilament?

Different varieties of polymers and sometimes additives, are used to produce varying degrees of colors and sizes, tensile strength and abrasion resistance, stretch and elongation, and other important attributes.
Now in the market nylon monofilament has four types:
  1. Traditional monofilament: made by melting and mixing nylon material.
  2. Copolymer line: a newer type of monofilament, made by fusing a blend of nylon with another higher-density one. It has much higher tensile strength, less stretch, lower memory, and more abrasion-resistant.
  3. Fluorocarbon-coated monofilament: additionally coated with fluoropolymer, to give more surface protection, and in water more invisible and faster sinking.
  4. Tripolymer line: have appeared on the market that are fused by three different blends of nylon.
MEGASTRONG_Monofilament Line_Test-Strength

Monofilament Test(Strength)

  1. The nylon monofilament can be produced in a range of diameters which have different tensile strengths.
  2.  It means the `Test` after the process of tensile testing, and the line should break at a tension that is no less than the rated number.
Monofilament Line_Winding and Packaging Process

Monofilament Winding and Packaging

The winding and packaging for monofilament lines, require unbelievable expertise in details. This can influence the line quality and user experience a lot.
  1. Winding: The winding facilities, speed, tightness, amount of lines on the robbins, etc, all need to be controlled carefully.
  2. Packaging: the material, size, and forms of the robbins, and the packaging accessories, are all important to protect the lines during storage and transportation.
Nylon Monofilament Lines_Colors_Made In Germany
Monofilament Coloring and Dyeing
You will find nylon monofilament in various colors. There are three kinds of coloring and dyeing methods for monofilament lines:
  1. The raw material(resin) is colored.
  2. The color spray coating process during the line extrusion process.
  3. Dyeing the line in chemical liquids.
Monofilament_Quality Control

Monofilament Quality Factors

For nylon monofilament, many aspects need to be strictly controlled. That’s the main factor to make the huge quality difference. Here are six typical quality factors for monofilament:
  1. Raw material: from state-of-the-art copolymer/tripolymer, to traditional PA66/PA6, and sometimes with additives to have diverse material formulars, for different performances and properties of the monofilament lines.
  2. Production equipment and facilities:  The values could be between tens of millions or hundreds of thousands of US dollars.
  3. Quality controls: The testing process in the laboratory, could need one week, to have hundreds or thousands of tested values, for the monofilament lines in the strictly controlled humidity and temperature between up to 100 hours
  4. Coloring and dyeing: In the market, there are many colors available for nylon monofilament. In most cases, the clear(white) nylon lines are dyed in the chemical acids. This is a complex process.
  5. Winding and packaging: The winding speed and tension should be in good control. If the winding is too fast and tight, the lines could be stretched on the robbins(plastic spools), later making them deformed or broken. And the nylon lines become squeezed and uneven. If the winding is too slow and loose, it will be tangled.
  6. Storage and transportation: The lines should be stored in moderate temperature and humidity without the sunline directly on them. If the humidity is too high, the nylon monofilament will absorb the humidity and become too thick, which can make the plastic spools deformed or broken and the line surface becomes squeezed; If the air is too dry, it will lose its humidity inside, then loose some strength and easier to be snapped.
German Monofilament Production

Monofilament Manufacturers – Where are the main nylon monofilament manufacturers located?

The Manufacturers and supply chains of the monofilament, are mainly located in Europe and Asia.
  1. Top-rated monofilament: is mostly manufactured in Japan and Germany. The manufacturers own up to 70+ years of history, standing behind many world-famous brands. They have had comprehensive overall expertise and experience, from the raw material, production and quality control, to the winding, packaging, storing, and logistic systems.
  2. The medium-quality monofilament:  those between top and medium quality levels, are mainly from Taiwan and other European manufacturers, with 50+ years of history, usually to supply in large quantities with good quality lines at affordable prices.
  3. The economical nylon monofilament: is mainly from China. In the last 10-15 years, there has been a huge development in the production facilities and knowledge, to deliver nylon lines in bulk with competitive prices.

 

Various Applications for Monofilament Line

Use – What is nylon monofilament used for?

 Monofilament is in extensive use in modern life. The following are some typical applications:
  1. Sport and Leisure: sport & commercial fishing lines, tennis and badminton strings, etc. The monofilament fishing line is the most often used type of fishing line.
  2. Gardening & Household: e.g. lawn and garden string trimmer line, the decorative line, interwoven with metal wire for Interiors, hanging decorations…
  3. Medical Supplies: used as wound strings and sutures for different surgeries.
  4. Musical Instrument Strings: for guitar, violin, cello…
  5. Textiles and Apparel: used for beading and sewing projects, mainly as accessories
  6. Belts and Brushes: conveyor belts, abrasive brushes, toothbrushes…
  7. Automotive and Aerospace: It is used as braided sleeves to protect pipes, hoses, and wires from chemicals and abrasion.
  8. Paper and Agriculture Industry: mainly used for forming fabrics, press felts, and dryer fabrics
  9. 3D printing: using fused filament fabrication for 3D printers.
        ……
Main Properties of Nylon Monofilament Line

Performances – what are the main attributes you need to take care of for nylon monofilament?

  1. High tensile and knot strength: stronger than fluorocarbon lines per diameter, and better knot strength, max. 95% to preserve.
  2. High abrasion resistance and durability: Due to its high tenacity fibers, the nylon monofilament line is durable and has a higher impact resistance.
  3. Stretchy and high elongation:  usually at 20-25%, which makes them more shockproof and easy-to-knot. But with increased stretchability comes the risk of snapping and a weaker tensile strength
  4. Line memory: It´s common for nylon monofilament, which is esp. a typical issue for fishing. when wrapped around the spool and stayed in that position long unused, the lines will become as the spirals. The best monofilament, because of advanced manufacturing or materials, has minimal memory.
  5. Moisture absorption: This makes nylon monofilament “looser” and “softer,” stretches more. Mono will absorb up to around 4% of its weight in moisture from the atmosphere, and this increases to around 10% if stored in water. Premium-quality monofilament absorbs less moisture.
  6. UV exposure: This will eventually cause the line to weaken
  7. Buoyant: floats in the water and sinks slowly in the water
Dr. Wallace Carothers ( 1896 – 1937)_Inventor of Nylon_Dupont in 1935

Monofilament History:

  1. In the 1930s, Dr.Wallace Carothers from Dupont invented nylon.  DuPont commercialized and marketed nylon to industries of women’s fashion and monofilament fishing lines.
  2. In 1939, Toyo Rayon (now Toray) succeeded in synthesizing nylon 66 in Japan.
  3. In the 1950s, nylon became popular in manufacturing tires and belts for automobile and fishing lines.
  4. Up to present: Nylon monofilament is being manufactured in bulk and applied in various industries.
Monofilament_Environmental Conterns

Monofilament  Environmental Concerns

The monofilament line has an environmental impact. Fortunately, more and more programs and solutions have been started, to protect Mother Nature. It takes 600 years to break down the nylon lines! This causes a serious threat to wildlife, and starvation or poisoning of organisms in soil or water.
Solutions:
    1. Collecting discarded line
    2. Recycline monofilament
    3. Packaged in repurposed plastic spools, and recycled paperboard, and uses environmentally friendly water-based colors. etc