Video Lectures for MBA

By:
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Chapter 6
Synthetic and Special
Application Fibers
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Synthetic Fibers

Production: Synthesize polymer

from raw materials by addition or
condensation polymerization.

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Common Properties
Heat

sensitive: Softens or melts with

sufficient heat.
Pilling: Formation of tiny balls of fiber on
fabric.
Static electricity: Soil and lint cling;
problems in production & processing;
discomfort during use.
Oleophilic: Affinity for oil and grease.
Chemically resistant
Hydrophobic: Low absorbency.
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Heat and pressure cause permanent flattening of the

yarn.

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Common Properties
Slick

and abrasion
resistant
Strong and resilient
Resistant to most
common fiber
degradants: sunlight
(except for nylon)
Flame resistance varies
widely
Low density
Non-biodegradable
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Common Manufacturing
Processes
Melt

spun: Used for most

synthetics.
Drawn: To develop strength,

pliability, toughness, and elasticity

properties.
Heat

set: To stabilize yarns or

fabrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch

?v=Dg8nVPG7YN0
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Identification of Synthetic
Fibers

Only

reliable test is solubility.

(According to the book. But in
reality, there are others dye tests
and spectroscopic analysis.)

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Common Fiber Modifications

Fiber

shape and

size: Melt spun fibers

easy to alter.
Low-pilling

fibers:

Reduce flex life by

reducing molecular
weight slightly.
High-tenacity

fibers:

By drawing, chemical
modifications, or
combination
Low-elongation

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fibers: Used in blends.

Nylon (Polyamide)

Production: Melt spun from condensation

polymer made from diamine & acid; cold drawn.

Physical structure: Wide variety of types.
Chemical structure: Manufactured fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is a long
chain synthetic polyamide in which less than
85% of the amide linkages are attached directly
to two aromatic rings.
Common types: Nylon 6 & 6,6
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Properties

Physical: Sheer and durable fabrics; poor

cover; hand, texture, luster, etc. can be

controlled for end use.
Mecanical: High tenacity, good breaking
elongation, excellent abrasion resistance.
Chemical: Smooth & silky feel; low density;
low absorbency; static prone.
Appearance retention: Excellent
resiliency & elasticity; retains appearance
well; pills readily.

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Properties
Care: easy care
Resistant to chemicals,
insects, and mildew;
Color scavenger (Picks up
color from other textiles and
soil.)
Low melting point
Quick drying
Oleophilic
Degraded quickly by sunlight
Environmental impact:

Processed from
petrochemicals with
inherent concerns
regarding the environment;
little processing after fiber
production needed; can be
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recycled.

Nylon
Identification: Nylon

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dissolves in phenol and formic

acid.
Fiber modifications: Cross
section, size, solution dyed,
textured, antistatic, anti-soil,
bicomponent, antimicrobial,
sunlight resistant, flame
retardant, delustered, high
tenacity, cross linked, dye
affinity.
End uses: Furnishings
(carpeting, upholstery);
apparel; industrial (tire cord,
car interiors, ropes,
performance apparel, sporting
goods).

Polyester
Production: Melt spun of

condensation polymer from

di-acid and di-alcohol, hot
drawn.

Physical

structure:

Variety of types.

Chemical

structure:

Manufactured fiber in which

the fiber-forming substance is
a long chain synthetic
polymer composed of at least
85% by weight of an ester of
a dihydric alcohol and
terephthalic acid.
Straight molecular chains
with high degree of
orientation.
Several polymer types.
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Polyester Properties
Physical: Can resemble most natural

fibers; many types.

Mechanical: Excellent strength & abrasion
resistance; good breaking elongation.
Chemical: Low density; low absorbency;
static prone; soil release finishes improve
wicking; performance and stretch polyester
available.

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Polyester
Appearance

retention:

Excellent elasticity; excellent

resiliency; does not shrink if
properly heat set; resists
wrinkling.
Care: Easy care, quick drying;
resists most common fiber
degradants; thermoplastic;
heavier than nylon & acrylic;
oleophilic.
Environmental

impact:

Extensive recycling programs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=6Y7PKyQ7Sfg&feature=relat
ed
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Polyester

Fiber

modifications: Cross section; size;

dyeability; solution dyed, textured, tenacity;

shrinkage; pill resistant; copolymer; bigeneric;
luster; binder staple; flame retardant; antistatic;
anti-soil; antimicrobial; delustered; nonpilling.
End uses: Apparel; furnishings; industrial
(fiberfill, nonwoven fabrics, tire cord, sporting
goods, rope, cordage, filters, geotextiles,
medical applications).
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Olefin
Production:

High-pressure
system
Low-pressure
system
Addition
polymer: melt
spun; cold drawn
May be gel spun

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Olefin

Physical

structure: Available in many

forms.
Chemical

structure: Manufactured

fiber in which the fiber-forming substance

is a long chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 85% by weight of
ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units
except amorphous (noncrystalline)
polyolefins qualifying as rubber,
polypropylene or polyethylene.

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Olefin Properties
Physical: Can be modified for end use.
Mechanical: Good tenacity, elongation,

and abrasion resistance.

Chemical: Low regain, good wicking,
non-static; light weight; waxy hand, but
can be modified; performance fibers.
Moisture

vapor transport rate

(MVRT): Measures the rate moisture

vapor moves from the fabric side next to

the body to the fabrics exterior side.

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Olefin
Appearance

retention:

Excellent resiliency; good

dimensional stability.
Care: Unaffected by water
borne stains; excellent
resistant to most chemicals;
low melting point; oleophilic.
Environmental

impact:

Few processing chemicals

used; easily recycled; used for
environmental applications.
Identification: Melt
spinnable.
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Olefin
Fiber

modifications: Heat stabilized; light

stabilized; modified cross section and size;

solution dyed, dye-ability; fibrillated; high
tenacity.
End uses: Apparel; furnishings; industrial
(carpet backing; dye nets, diaper cover stock,
filter fabrics, bags, wall panel fabrics,
envelopes, banners, geotextiles, ground cover
fabrics, protective clothing, substrates for
coated fabrics, ropes, twines).

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Acrylic
Production: Addition polymer or copolymer;

dry spun & hot drawn or wet spun & drawn.

Physical structure: Cross-sectional shape
& size varies; usually staple.
Chemical structure: Manufactured fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is a long
chain synthetic polymer composed of at least
85% by weight of acrylonitrile units;
copolymer or graft copolymer; bicomponent.

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Acrylic Properties
Physical: Various

types; often textured

or crimped.
Mechanical:

Moderate tenacity,
abrasion resistance,
& breaking
elongation.
Chemical: Not as
synthetic feeling; low
density; low regain.
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Acrylic

Appearance

retention: Good resiliency &

elasticity; moderate dimensional stability;

poor heat settability; pills readily.
Care: Follow care instructions; resistant to
chemicals, insects, & sunlight.
Environmental impact: Chemicals used to
produce raw materials, spin fibers, & wash
fibers; dyes.
Identification: Solubility test.

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Acrylic
Fiber

modifications:

Self crimping, solution

dyed, bicomponent or
copolymer, modified cross
section, size, dyeability.
End uses: Furnishings;
apparel; industrial (craft
yarn, tarps, awnings,
luggage, vehicle covers,
tents, sandbags, precursor
of carbon fiber).
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Modacrylic

Production: Addition copolymer, dry

spun, hot drawn.

Physical

structure: Staple fiber,

variable cross section.

Chemical

structure: Manufactured

fiber in which the fiber-forming substance

is any long chain synthetic polyamide
comprised of less than 85% but at least
35% by weight of acrylonitrile.

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Modacrylic Properties
Physical: Latent crimp for realistic

fake furs; other modifications based

on end use.
Mechanical: Low abrasion
resistance & tenacity, good
elongation.
Chemical: warm, soft, pills; low
regain; moderate density.
Appearance

retention:

Moderate resiliency & dimensional

stability; high elastic recovery.
Care: Resists most common fiber
degradants; flame retardant; heat
sensitive; washable or dry cleanable.

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Modacrylic
Environmental

impact: Fewer

problems; minor fiber.

Identification: Self extinguishes,
solubility test.
Fiber modifications: Heat sensitivity,
solution dyed, dyeability, crimped.
End uses: Furnishings; apparel;
industrial (protective clothing, filters,
wigs, blankets & upholstery in airplanes).

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Special Use Fibers

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Elastomeric Fibers

Elastomers: A natural or
synthetic polymer which, at
room temperature, can be
stretched repeatedly to at
least twice its original length
and which, after removal of
the tensile load, will
immediately and forcibly
return to approximately its
original length.
Kinds of stretch
Power stretch: holding power
with elasticity;
fibers with
high retractive forces
Comfort stretch: only elasticity
desired

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Rubber

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Manufactured fiber in which

the fiber-forming substance is
comprised of natural or
synthetic rubbers.
Natural rubber: From plant
source.
Synthetic rubbers:
Synthetic sources.
Properties of both types
similar
Excellent elongation & elasticity
Low tenacity influences end use
Poor resistance to aging,
sunlight, oil, perspiration,
oxidizing agents
Low dyeability, hand, regain

Spandex
Wet

or dry spun from synthetic

polymers.
Physical structure: Mono or
multifilament; variable sizes.
Chemical structure: A manufactured
fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long-chain synthetic
polymer consisting of at least 85% of
a segmented polyurethane (also
known as elastane).
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Spandex

Physical: Seldom used alone; no cover

yarn needed.
Mechanical: More durable than rubber;
improved tenacity & flex life; similar
elongation &elasticity; better resistance
to body oils, perspiration, chemicals,
aging.
Chemical: Low regain; moderate
density.
Care: Resistant to cleaning chemicals;
thermoplastic.
Uses: Apparel, industrial, furnishings.

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Spandex

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Elastoester

Manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is a long-chain

synthetic polymer consisting of at least
50% by weight of aliphatic polyether and
at least 35% by weight of polyester;
elongation of 600%.
Properties: Low tenacity; lower elasticity
compared to other elastomers; superior
strength retention in wet heat conditions &
after treatment with alkalis; better
dyeability & print clarity compared to
spandex.
Uses: Outerwear & furnishings.

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OTHER ELASTOMERICS

Elasterell

An elastic bicomponent polyester; good

inherent stretch with excellent recovery;
easy care; active sportswear, leisure; known
as multelastester in Europe.
Lastol

Elastic cross-linked copolymer olefin;

superior stretch and recovery; chemically
stable; active wear and easy care stretch
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apparel.

Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance
Aramid

Manufactured fiber in which the

fiber-forming substance is any longchain synthetic polyamide in which
at least 85% of the amide linkages
are attached directly to two aromatic
rings.

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Aramid

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(cont.)

Processing: Wet or dry spun &

drawn.
Physical structure: Staple or
filament.
Properties: Exceptional heat and
flame resistance & strength; high
tenacity & resistance to stretch;
resistant to most chemicals; excellent
impact & abrasion resistance; regain
of 4.5%; usually mass pigmented.
Uses: Industrial fiber; protective
apparel uses.

Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Glass

A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is

glass (silicon dioxide).
Process: Melt spun, not drawn.
Properties: Incombustible; good strength, but low flex
abrasion resistance (brittle); low elongation; high density;
nonabsorbent.
Uses: Furnishings and industrial.

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Metal and metallic fibers

Manufactured fiber composed of metal,

plastic-coated metal, metal-coated plastic,
or a core completely covered by metal.
Processing: Laminating or metalizing.
Types
Gold, silver, brass, etc.
Aluminum: Often coated with plastic film to
minimize tarnishing; may be stiff and inflexible.
Stainless steel: Superfine filaments of steel to
reduce static potential; strong, stiff, and heavy.

Uses: Apparel, furnishings, and industrial.

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Production

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Novoloid

Manufactured fiber in which

the fiber-forming substance
contains at least 35% by
weight of cross-linked
novolac.
Properties: Outstanding
flame resistance; good
resistance to sunlight; inert to
most chemicals.
Uses: Flame-resistant
industrial products.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

PBI

A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming

substance is a long-chain synthetic aromatic polymer
having recurring imidazole groups as an integral part
of the polymer chain.
Processing: Dry spun & drawn.
Properties: Good tenacity & breaking elongation;
mass pigmented; flame resistant; high regain.
Uses: Heat resistance apparel; furnishings for aircraft,
hospitals, & submarines; industrial filters &
membranes.

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Sulfar

A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is a long-chain synthetic

polysulfide in which at least 85% of the
sulfide linkages are attached directly to two
aromatic rings.
Production: Melt spun; drawn.
Properties: Good tenacity and breaking
elongation; excellent elasticity & resistance
to acids/alkalis; low regain; moderate density.
Uses: Filtration fabrics; papermaking felts,
membranes, rubber reinforcement, &
electrical insulation.

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Saran

A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is a long-chain

synthetic polymer composed of at least
85% by weight of vinylidene chloride units.
Production: Melt spun, hot drawn.
Properties: Good weathering properties,
resistant to chemicals, tough, durable;
good tenacity; low regain; heavy; does not
support combustion.
Uses: Competes with olefin for similar end
uses.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Vinyon

A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is a long-chain

synthetic polymer composed of at least
85% by weight of vinyl chloride units.
Properties: Low tenacity; very
sensitive to heat; unaffected by
moisture; chemically stable; poor
conductor of electricity; does not burn.
Uses: Bonding agents for rugs, papers,
& fiberweb fabrics & for other industrial
products.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Vinal

A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is a long-chain synthetic

polymer composed of at least 50% by weight
of vinyl alcohol units and in which the total of
the vinyl alcohol units and any one or more of
the various acetal units is at least 85% by
weight of the fiber.
Properties: Strong fiber, weaker when wet;
flame resistant; good resistance to chemicals;
mass pigmented.
Uses: Protective apparel and industrial goods.

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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Fluoropolymer (PTFE)

A manufactured fiber
containing at least 95% of a
long chain polymer
synthesized from aliphatic
fluorocarbon monomers;
polymerized under pressure
and heat with catalyst.
Properties: Average
tenacity, low elongation,
good pliability; heavy;
temperature resistant;
resistant to chemicals,
sunlight, weathering, &
aging; low friction coefficient.
Uses: Industrial, Apparel
(Gore-Tex)
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Carbon

Heat stabilized, cross-linked

polyacrylonitrile.
Properties: High strength; rigid;
exceptional heat resistance;
moderately heavy; high regain;
very low coefficient of thermal
expansion; chemically inert;
biocompatible.
Uses: Reinforcement fibers in
resins & metals; bone-grafts;
replacement for asbestos.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)

Melamine

A manufactured fiber in which the

fiber-forming substance is a
synthetic polymer composed of at
least 50% by weight of a crosslinked melamine polymer.
Properties: Moderate strength; 5%
regain; low elongation at break;
moderately heavy; fair abrasion
resistance; good to excellent
resistance to most chemicals.
Uses: Low cost competitor for metaaramid, PBI, sulfar, and polyimide.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Polyimide

(PI or PEI)

Properties: Moderately strong; 20%

elongation at break; low regain;
moderate specific gravity; good
abrasion resistance; good to
excellent resistance to most
chemicals; moderately high cost.
Uses: Filters, protective clothing, fire
block seating.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Polyphenylene

Benzobisoxazole
(PBO)
Properties:
Nonflammable; high
temperature
resistance; good
tenacity; 1.5 density;
2% regain; 3.5%
breaking elongation.
Uses: Reinforcing fiber
in resins.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Ceramic

Fibers

Properties: Composed
of metal oxides, metal
carbides, metal nitrides,
or other mixtures; high
thermal resistance; high
strength; rigid.
Uses: Reinforcing fibers
in resins or other
compounds.
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Fibers with Chemical, Heat,

or Fire Resistance (cont.)
Polylactic

Acid (PLA)

Fermented & melt spun from

cornstarch.
Properties: Luster, drape, and hand
of silk, quick drying, good wrinkle
resistance, and good flame and
ultraviolet light resistance.
Uses: Apparel and industrial
applications.
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