Introduction:

An essential requirement in fibre structure is some means of ensuring continuity, and strength,
along the length of the fibre .Because of the fineness of fibres ,transverse strength is of much
less importance. In the linear-polymer fibres, which are used in textiles, it is the long-chain
molecules that provide this continuity.
The basic requirements of fibre formation would be:
(a) long-chain molecules, corresponding to the long fibres that make up yarns: if the molecules
or fibres are too short, there will be a loss of strength.
(b) A more or less parallel arrangement of the molecules;
(c) Lateral forces to hold the molecules together and give cohesion to the structure;
(d) Some measure of freedom of molecular movement in order to give the necessary extensibility
to the fibre and some openness to give room for moisture absorption and uptake of dyes.
Fiber-forming polymers of apparel fibers should be: To be a good textile fibre, fibre polymer
system meets the following requirements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Hydrophilic.
Chemically resistant
Linear
Long
Capable of being oriented
Able to form high-melting-point polymer systems.

Explanation of these requirements is now given:

1. Hydrophilic properties:
Fiber polymers should be hydrophilic. This means that the polymers should be polar, enabling
them to attract water molecules. A fiber is comfortable to wear if its polymer system consists of
hydrophilic polymers, and the system itself permits the entry of water molecules. There are, of
course, fibers whose polymers are not hydrophilic (i.e. their polymers are hydrophobic) and yet
these fibers are used for the manufacture of apparel. In order to make the textile materials of
these fibers more absorbent and, hence, more or less comfortable, hydrophilic-polymer fibers
need to be blended hydrophobic-polymer fibers. Nylon and polyester, for example, are
hydrophobic-polymer fibers and are often blended with cotton, viscose or wool (e.g. two thirds
polyester /one third cotton blend). Such blending improves the absorbency and comfort of their
textile materials. Acrylic is also hydrophobic-polymer fibers. Knitted outerwear made of acrylics
is very popular; but it is found that it is useful to wear this non-absorbent knitwear over an
absorbent or hydrophilic-polymer fiber garment to counter or reduce the potential discomfort
which might otherwise be experienced. A fiber consisting of hydrophilic polymers attracts water
molecules which prevent or enable, the discharge of any static electricity accumulating on the
fiber. The static electricity is discharged by the water molecules, because of their polarity, to the
surrounding atmosphere. A build up of static electricity on a fiber is undesirable because it will
1

cause the fiber to attract dirt particles more readily and thus to soil more quickly. Garments that
become charged with static electricity may cling together to such an attract dirt particles more
readily and thus to soil more quickly. Garments that become charged with static electricity may
cling together to such an

2. Chemical resistance:
Fibre polymers should be chemically resistant for a reasonable length of time against the
common degrading agents such as sunlight and weather, common types of soiling, body
exudations, laundry liquors and dry cleaning solvents. Chemically resistant polymers should also
not be toxic or hazardous to wear against human skin; this is a most important requirement which
is usually taken for granted.
Although fibre polymers should be chemically resistant, they should not be inert (i.e. totally
uncreative). Chemical inertness of fibre polymers tends to have a detrimental effect on other
fibre forming requirements. For instance, the polymers of polyethylene, polypropylene may be
regarded as chemically inert from a practical point of view. For this reason the polymers are nonpolar and hence hydrophobic, making the textiles of these fibers non-absorbent, with a greasy,
slippery, aesthetically displeasing handle.

3. Linearity:
Fibre polymers should be linear (i.e. the polymers should not be branched. As explained in five
below only linear polymers allow adequate polymer alignment to bring into effect sufficient
inter-polymer force of attraction to give a cohesive polymer system and hence, useful textile
fiber.
It is, however, a normal occurrence for many fiber polymers, which need to be linear, to have
side groups, as distinct from branches. Side group may be thought of as causing along the
polymer backbone, rather then the distinct projection of a branch. Thus the nitrile groups of
acrylics, the hydroxyl and methyl groups of the cellulose fiber, and the hydroxyl and acetyl
groups of ester-cellulose fibers are some examples of side groups.
The importance of considering side groups on polymer is the fact gives rise to three types of
linear polymer configurations, better referred to as three types stereo polymers. Stereo from the
Greek is used here in the sense of spatial or three dimensional arrangements of the side groups
on the polymer backbone. In man made fiber manufacture it is important to have the right stereo
polymer for the extrusion of useful filaments. The three types of stereo polymer are described
below:

3. a. The atactic polymer

This is a stereo-irregular polymer. It has its side groups arranged at random (i.e. in no particular
order) above and below the plain of the polymer backbone. Two dimensionally this may
represent thus:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -

Polymer backbone

Side group

Atactic polymers are usually not found in the polymer system of fibers. This is because they do
not allow close enough alignment or orientation of polymers for the formation of effective inters
polymer forces of attraction. If atactic polymers were used they would give an insufficiently
cohesive polymer system, as indicated by wax-like substance formed.
3. b. The syndyotactic polymer:
This is stereo regular polymer. It has its side groups arranged in a regular alternative fashion
above and bellow the plain of the polymer backbone. Two dimensionally this may be represented
thus:
----------------------------------------------------------Such a regular polymer structure permits close enough alignment or orientation of polymers to
form effective inters polymer forces of attraction, giving a cohesive enough polymer system to
from useful fibers. The polymer of cellulose and some chlorofibers are thought to be
syndyotactic polymers.
3. c. The isotactic polymer:
This is also a stereo regular polymer. It has, however, all its side groups arranged on the same
side or plane of the polymer backbone. Two dimensionally this may be shown thus:

----------------------------------------------------------------

Isotactic polymers orient themselves readily and very closely. This permits effective formation of
inter polymers forces of attraction to give a cohesive polymer system and thus, a useful fiber.
Polypropylene and pure acrylonitrile fibres are known to have their polymer system constituted
of istactic polymers.

4. Length:
Fibre polymers should be long. It has been found that the length of polymers constituting the
commonly used apparel fibers is in excess of one hundred nanometers.
Polymers of such length can readily be oriented. Having the polymers oriented can give rise to
sufficiently effective inter polymer forces of attraction to form a cohesive polymer system and,
hence, a useful fibre.
In general, the longer the polymers the more cohesive will be the polymer system and the
stronger will be the fibre. For this to occur the polymers have to be closely aligned or well
oriented so that the maximum formation of inter-polymer forces of attraction can take place.

Fig: Linear polymers: they can assume various configurations as shown; however, they can
be oriented or aligned to form a cohesive polymer system suitable for useful fibre formation.

Fig: Branched polymers: the can assume various configuration as shown how ever they can
not be sufficiently oriented to form a polymer of adequate cohesion; therefore their
unsuitable for fiber formation.

Fig: A strong fibre because it has long polymers which are well aligned or oriented, giving it
a long path of break

Fig: A weak fibre because it has short polymers; although they are well oriented, the
shortness of its path of break tends to make it weak.

5. Orientation:
Fibre polymers should be capable of being oriented, as foreshadowed under 4 above. This means
that the polymers are or can be arranged or aligned (i.e. oriented) into more or less parallel order
in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fiber or filament.
It is not known how the orientation of polymer occurs during the growth of natural fibers. With
man made fibers, the operation called drawing, which stretches the extruded and coagulated
filament, causes the polymer to orient them selves longitudinally into a more or less parallel
order. The extend of this drawing markedly influences the properties of the filaments and those
of the staple fiber which may be cut from it.
Perfect orientation of polymers is usually not obtained, nor is it desirable, as explained in Table
1.4. The orientation of polymers in the system of any fiber consists of two distinct, yet integrated
forms. The two forms of polymer orientation are called the amorphous and the crystalline
regions. (See Table 1.4 for definition, explanation, comparison and influence upon fiber
properties of the amorphous and crystalline regions.)

6. Formation of high-melting-point polymer systems:

A fiber consisting of a high melting point polymer system tends to have adequate heat resistance
to enable it to withstand the various heat treatments of textile finishing, apparel manufacture, and
the heat subsequently applied to it during its useful life as a garment. It appears that a fibers
melting point needs to be above 225 if it is to be useful for textile manufacture and apparel use.
Insufficient is known about the influence of polymer orientation and polymer composition upon
the melting pointed heat resistance of polymer systems and hence fibre. In general, however, the
longer the polymers and the better orientation, the more inter-polymer forces of attraction will be
formed, giving a more cohesive polymer system with a higher melting point. This means more
heat or kinetic energy will be required to break the enter polymer forces of attraction and free the
polymer from each other.

7. Conclusion:
It is important for a textile fibre to full fill the required properties to get the desirable aspect from
fibre. But this is not possible to a fibre to full fill all the required properties, so which fibre
closely touched the required properties called good textile fibre.

8. Reference:
1. Textile Science
By-

E.P.G. Gohl
L.D. Vilensky

2. Science of Textile raw materials

By -

Md. Ashraful Islam

3. Class lecture
4. www. wikipedia.org

Requirements of the fiber formation

Textile Physics (TEX 302)
Group: C

Prepared For
Bithi Chowdury
Course Instructor,
Department of Textile Engineering.

Prepared By
Hossain Mohammad Murtuza Ali (05310019)
Mihir Ranjon Das (05310054)
Nipu Sen (05310062)
Md. Razaul Karim (05310073)
Emrul Kaysh (08218044)

Submission Date: 7th may 2009