FASH 15 textiles
synthetic fibers
synthetic fibers
the polymers for synthetic fibers are synthesized or
made from small simple molecules (not naturally
occurring)
often petroleum-based chemicals (petrochemicals)
using complex procedures—less than 1% of total
use per year
different chemical compounds used to produce
nylon, polyester, olefin & acrylic
synthetic fibers—common properties
heat sensitivity —fibers that soften or melt with
heat; differ in their level of sensitivity; use care
washing, ironing & dry cleaning
chemical resistance —fibers do not absorb water,
solvents, acids, or bases; resist soiling; difficult to
dye
piling —formation of tiny balls (tangled fiber ends)
on fabric surface due to abrasion; strength of fibers
keeps balls from falling off naturally
synthetic fibers—common properties
static electricity—generated by friction; more rapid
in cold, dry regions; attracts dust, soil, & lint—
brushing to remove increases problem
oleophilic—high affinity for oils & greases
synthetic fibers—
common manufacturing processes: melt spinning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr8cbpAt9oQ
participation activity:
melt spinning
…working in groups of 4, collect the necessary
equipment
•tweezers
•candle
•matches
•polyester fabric (4 pieces)
•cup of water
•foil
…once you have set up your “lab”carefully take
turns trying out melt spinning
•heat the fabric until some melts
•quickly draw out the melt with tweezers
HOW UNIFORM ARE YOUR “FIBERS”?
synthetic fibers—
common manufacturing processes
drawing—aligns molecules in more parallel,
crystalline, oriented arrangement; drawn to develop
desirable strength, pliability, toughness & elasticity
heat setting—uses heat to stabilize the shape &
dimensions of yarns or fabric; after cooling, fabric/
yarn stable at heat lower than at which it was set
synthetic fibers—identification
burn tests used to identify presence of some; not
good for blends or fibers that are flame-retardant or
heat resistant—does not identify specifics
microscopic appearance not reliable because so
easily modified
solubility tests only procedure that differentiate
among synthetics
synthetic fibers—common modifications
fiber shape & size
because of melt-spinning process, changing crosssectional shape is relatively easy—spinneret hole
hollow fibers provide better thermal properties &
lighter weight, hide soil
•trilobal, pentalobal, & multilobal fibers used in
apparel & interiors
•flatribbon fibers used in formalwear
•channel fibers used in activewear
synthetic fibers—common modifications
low-piling fibers—engineered to minimize pill
formation; decreases fiber’s flex life
high-tenacity fibers—produced by combining
drawing with molecular-chain-length modifications;
tow ropes, air bags, parachute cords
low-elongation fibers—stretch less under force, but
as strong as regular fibers; apparel & interior items
that receive hard use—work apparel & heavy-duty
upholstery
synthetic fibers—nylon
the first synthetic fiber—1939 by DuPont
introduced to public in women’s hosiery
unlike any fiber in use at the time—stronger, more
abrasion resistant, excellent elasticity, heat set,
lightweight, chemical resistant
also had drawbacks—static buildup, poor hand, poor
comfort on skin, low resistance to sunlight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFEHKRdXb9Y&feature=related
synthetic fibers—nylon
production—made from various substances;
numbers after name indicate # of carbon atoms in
starting materials nylon 6,6
physical structure—available in multifilament,
monofilament, staple in a variety of lengths & tow in
a wide range of deniers & shapes, as partially drawn
or completely finished filaments
produced in bright, semi-dull & dull lusters with
varying degrees of strength
synthetic fibers—nylon
physical structure
synthetic fibers—properties of nylon
aesthetics—smooth, lightweight, high strength; can
be lustrous, semi-lustrous, or dull; varied drape
depending upon use; voids & flat sides scatter light
& hide soil
durability—outstanding durability; excellent strength
& high elongation; excellent abrasion resistance
comfort—not as comfortable to wear as natural
fibers; great for wind- and water-resistant jackets
synthetic fibers—properties of nylon
appearance retention—
•highly resilient due to heat-setting; pleats, creases
& embossed designs become integral
•compressional resiliency important in carpets
•shrinkage resistance high due to heat set & low
absorbency
care—
•hot water may cause permanent wrinkling but can
help remove oily stains
•color scavenger
•dries quickly
•resistant to mildew, insects & fungi; low sunlight
resistance
synthetic fibers—nylon
environmental concerns & sustainability
•all concerns associated with petrochemicals—made
from by-products (waste)
•production consumes more energy than polyester or
cotton
•nitrous oxide is emitted from production facilities
•processing uses few cleaning chemicals
•less water, salt & acid used for dyeing
•recycling reasonable—carpet recycled to a nylon 6 raw
material or mixed with plastic or concrete; performance
enhancing additives pose challenge
synthetic fibers—nylon
environmental concerns & sustainability
synthetic fibers—nylon uses
most important—carpets
apparel:
•lingerie, hosiery, socks
•sporting goods—tents, sleeping bags,
•average car uses 25 lbs of fiber—upholstery,
carpet, head liners, door & visor trims
•umbrellas, clotheslines, toothbrush, hair brush
•luggage, backpacks
synthetic fibers—types & kinds of nylon
synthetic fibers—polyester
first produced in England—introduced in the US in
1951 by DuPont
most widely used synthetic—“workhorse”
filament extremely versatile while staple can be
blended with many other fibers—versatility in
blending is unique advantage
produced by reacting dicarboxylic acid with dihydric
alcohol—fibers are melt-spun & hot-drawn
synthetic fibers—physical structure of polyester
produced in many types:
filaments—high- or regular-tenacity; bright or
delustered; white or solution-dyed; regular or lowpiling
generally smooth rodlike fibers with circular crosssection
other cross-sections:
trilobal, octolobal, oval, hollow, voided, hexalobal,
pentalobal (star shaped)
synthetic fibers—properties of polyester
aesthetics—blend well, maintaining natural fiber
look & texture; microfibers particularly suited to highfashion because of versatility & durability
durability—excellent abrasion resistance &
strength; better sunlight resistance
comfort—poor absorbency lowers comfort factor;
finishes & fiber modifications increase comfort
appearance retention—generally wrinkle resistant
except when set by body heat and moisture
care—wash warm, machine dry medium heat,
remove promptly, hang, touch up with steam
synthetic fibers—polyester
environmental concerns & sustainability
•similar to nylon—petrochemicals
•production energy less than nylon more than cotton
•uses small amounts of water during production
•uses toxic catalytic agents that contaminate soil &
water—long term environmental impact
•extensively recycled—creates significantly less
pollution than creating virgin fibers
synthetic fibers—polyester uses
most widely used MF in US
•woven fabrics in apparel & interiors
•knitted fabrics
•fiberfill
•nonwoven or fiberweb fabrics
•tirecord
•carpets
•technical hoses, belts,
•artificial arteries, veins & hearts
synthetic fibers—types & kinds of polyester
synthetic fibers—olefin
by 1957 Italy was producing olefin, US in 1960
has a combination of properties that makes it good
for interiors, apparel that does not need ironing &
technical uses
production —two processes; high-pressure—film &
molded materials & low-pressure—textile use
melt-spun into water or cool air & cold drawn to six
times its spun length—crystallizes very rapidly
gel spinning—dissolved polyethylene forms viscous
gel in solvent; produces very high-strength fibers
synthetic fibers—olefin
physical structure—
produced as monofilament, multifilament, stapled
fiber, tow, and slit or fibrillated film yarns
fibers are colorless, often round in cross-section &
have slightly waxy feel; cross section modified
according to end use
synthetic fibers—properties of olefin
aesthetics—usually produced with medium luster &
smooth texture; many sizes available; waxy hand;
drape varied according to end use
durability—produced with different strengths
according to end use; very durable & strong,
lightweight; excellent resistance to chemicals
comfort—nonabsorbent; excellent wicking; good
heat retention
appearance retention—excellent resiliency &
recovers quickly from wrinkling
synthetic fibers—properties of olefin
care—
•easy-care characteristics; suitable for a number of
end uses
•dry quickly
•dry cleaning not recommended due to solvents
•waterborne stains no problem
•does not pick up color
•oily stains are extremely difficult to remove
•excess heat cause fiber to shrink & melt
•excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, insects &
microorganisms
synthetic fibers—olefin
environmental concerns & sustainability
•similar to nylon—petrochemicals
•easier to recycle than most fibers—used in
packaging materials
•seldom dyed
•used in many products that protect environment—
•erosion control fabrics
•weed barrier fabrics
•protective covers for vegetables & flowers
•hazardous waste transport container liners
synthetic fibers—olefin uses
apparel—underwear, socks, sweaters, glove liners;
hosiery, saris, swimwear, wind- water- and coldbarriers in active & outdoor wear; Thinsulate
interior textiles—carpeting, upholstery, draperies &
slipcovers; almost completely replaced jute as
carpet backing; nonwoven fabrics—furniture
webbing; mattress covers
technical—geotextiles, roadbed-support & stabilizer
fabrics, car & boat interiors, boat
synthetic fibers—types & kinds of olefin
synthetic fibers—acrylic
first made in Germany in 1893
marketed frequently as being wool-like
production—some dry- or solvent-spun, others wetspun
physical structure—cross-sectional shape varies
according to spinning method
synthetic fibers—properties of acrylic
aesthetics—attractive & have soft, pleasant hand;
bulky spun yarns are usually textured to be woollike; matte luster; almost always staple fibers
durability—not as durable as nylon, polyester or
olefin; satisfactory for apparel & interiors—withstand
reasonable abrasion; piling can be noticeable
comfort—moderately comfortable because of
irregular surface, low absorbency, lightweight, wicks
well
synthetic fibers—properties of acrylic
appearance retention—moderate resiliency &
recovery from bending—resist wrinkling; shrink
when exposed to high temps & steam; cannot be
heat-set; solution dyed colors are permanent
care—especially important to follow care label
instructions with acrylic; care varies due to
modifications or blends
synthetic fibers—acrylic
environmental concerns & sustainability
•resistant to natural sources of degradation
•production chemical require significant processing
•recycling of solvents used in spinning is necessary
to minimize environmental impact
•wet-spun require washing & drying to remove
chemicals
•used more energy & water than polyester
•not recycled
synthetic fibers—acrylic uses
relatively minor fiber in terms of use—mostly
apparel, some interiors & technical
•fleece fabrics, sweaters, socks
•pile fabrics & faux furs
•craft yarns
•upholstery fabrics
•drapery fabrics
•blankets
•carpets & rugs
•awnings, tarps, luggage, boat covers
•outdoor furniture, tents, filtration fabrics
synthetic fibers—types & kinds of acrylic