Joanna Chan, SCH4U1
Presentation Date: November 3rd, 2010
Seminar Unit Topic: Structures and Properties
What impact has the development of synthetic fibres, such as nylon, had on society?
CHEMISTRY of Synthetic fibres
- Man-made textile fibre produced entirely from chemical substances, unlike those man-made fibres derived from such
natural substances as cellulose or protein. (Source: Britannica Encyclopedia)
3 main types of synthetic fibers: regenerated, true synthetic, and mineral
Regenerated: cellulose fiber (from the walls of plant cells), taking bits of natural materials (wood, cotton) & rearranging them
(Rayon, Acetate)
True Synthetic: Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, Olefin, Spandex
Mineral: Glass fibres and metallic fibres
- Comes in many different forms, made from many types of materials
- Useful in its variety of applications such as in disposable diapers, car seats, the carpets in seat fabrics (for durability), in
plastics (to help strengthen), seat beats, filtration (auto, liquid, home, furnace), in air filters to trap particles, mattress covers,
but most notably in Textiles/Clothing
How True Synthetic Fibres are Made
- arranging polymers of various chemical composition into various chemical structures for the desired properties
Polymer: any type of molecule constructed by repeatedly connected by a single base unit, the monomer, side-by-side to form
a long chain of molecules.
Monomers: can vary in molecular composition and structure, different atoms or carbon rings can be present, many organic
compounds can polymerise as well.
- Polymers are not the only basic component in creating synthetic fibres: compounds such as silicon dioxide (glass) can be
made into Fiber glass
In a mixture of Single Polymer Chains
- Not much order, arranged very randomly and weak
- They intertwine, overlap and twist in 3D dimensions
- It takes very little energy to separate the molecules since the attraction binding the separate molecules is weak
In order to create the strength and durability that synthetic fibres have, the mixture of single polymer chains are:
- Melted into its liquid state
- Forced and pushed though microscopic holes of a submerged spinnerette (a shower head/strainer-like structure)
- Molecules harden into fibres
- Pulled/stretched to orient them as they pass through the spinnerette, to strengthen it
- Cooled and becomes stuck in its existing formation of a single fibre
Single Fibre
- Strong structure
- Takes a great deal of energy to extract a single molecule from the structure
- Ability to be enhanced though arranging a countless number of them into complex structures
Properties
The organized structure of synthetic fibres is a reason for their desirable properties. The properties of synthetic fibres
are dependent on 2 factors: the chemical composition of the polymer and the arrangement of multiple fibres
2 types of arrangements: Woven and non-woven
Non-woven synthetic fibres separate freely, making them great insulators
Woven synthetic fibres, less malleable structure, remain in position, used well in textiles
Impact on Society…Advantages and disadvantages
Joanna Chan, SCH4U1
Presentation Date: November 3rd, 2010
Seminar Unit Topic: Structures and Properties
Advantages: TEXTILES!
- One of the first synthetic fibres to be introduced was Nylon (solution spun polymer)
- Breakthrough in the textile industry (“industry’s biggest money maker”)
- Nylon was first manufactured in U.S 1939 as a replacement for silk, most popular for the making of women’s stockings
- Among other synthetic fibres and opposed to natural fibres (cotton, silk, wool), Nylon is still commonly favoured for its
flexibility, high strength, “wear” properties, abrasion resistance, stands up to water (ability to absorb very little)
- It is versatile, mass producible, light weight, lasts long and recovers well from wrinkling and creasing
- According to industry analysts, man-made fibres, including cellulosics and synthetics accounted for 58% of all fibre demand in
2006
Disadvantages: ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT!
- Synthetic fibres are produced through petrochemicals
Production of petrochemicals
- Dependent on declining oil and gas reserves through fossil fuel resources (non-renewable)
- High greenhouse gas emissions, harmful to us and the environment
- Energy-intensive, fibres are not biodegradable, hard to recycle
Sources (APA format):
polymer: wet-spinning of polymeric fibres. [Art]. Retrieved October 31, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/468696/276/Stages-in-the-wet-spinning-of-polymeric-fibres
Adshead, J. (2010). Synthetic Fibers. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Grolier Online
http://gme.grolier.com/article?assetid=0282400-0
Krasny, J. F. (2010). Nylon and Other Synthetic Fibers. The New Book of Knowledge. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from
Grolier Online http://nbk.grolier.com//cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2021390-h
Burke, M. (2008, March) Green couture. Chemistry World, Vol 5, No 3, 58-61. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from
http://www.rsc.org/images/Synthetic%20fabrics_tcm18-114532.pdf
Chemistry of Synthetic Fibers, Eagan High School Honors Chemistry. (2008) [Online Video, iTunes Podcast]. Retrieved
October 31, 2010, from http://www.eagan.k12.mn.us/fletcher/acn/projects.xml