Synthetic Fibre
Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research
by
scientists to improve upon naturally occurring
animal and plant. In general,
synthetic (manmade) fibers are created by forcing, usually
through
extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes (called
spinnerets) into the air, forming a thread. Before synthetic
fibrers were developed,
artificial (manufactured) fibers were made from
cellulose, which comes from
plants.
The first artificial fiber, known as
artificial silk from
1855
onwards, became known as
viscose around
1894,
and finally
rayon
in 1924.
A similar product known as
cellulose acetate was discovered in
1865.
Rayon and acetate are both artificial fibers, but not truly
synthetic, being made from
wood.
Although these artificial fibers were discovered in the mid-nineteenth
century, successful modern manufacture began much later (see
the dates below).
Nylon,
the first synthetic fiber, made its debut in the
United States as a replacement for
silk,
just in time for
World War II rationing. Its novel use as a material for
women's
stockings overshadowed more practical uses, such as a
replacement for the silk in
parachutes and other
military uses.
Common synthetic fibers include:
-
Rayon (1910) (artificial, not synthetic)
-
Acetate (1924) (artificial, not synthetic)
-
Nylon (1939)
-
Modacrylic (1949)
-
Olefin (1949)
-
Acrylic (1950)
-
Polyester (1953)
-
PLA (2002)
Specialty synthetic fibers include:
-
Vinyon (1939)
-
Saran (1941)
-
Spandex (1959)
-
Vinalon (1939)
-
Aramids (1961) - known as
Nomex,
Kevlar and
Twaron
-
Modal (1960's)
-
PBI (Polybenzimidazole fibre) (1983)
-
Sulfar (1983)
-
Lyocell (1992)
-
Dyneema/Spectra (1979)
-
M-5 (PIPD fibre)
-
Orlon
-
Zylon (PBO fibre)
-
Vectran (TLCP fiber) made from Vectra LCP polymer
Other synthetic materials used in fibers include:
-
Acrylonitrile rubber (1930)
Modern fibers that are made from older artificial materials
include:
-
Glass Fiber is used for:
- industrial, automotive, and home insulation (Fiberglass)
- reinforcement of composite and
plastics
- specialty papers in
battery separators and filtration
-
Metallic fiber (1946) is used for:
- adding metallic properties to
clothing for the purpose of
fashion (usually made with composite plastic and
metal foils)
- elimination and prevention of static charge build-up
- conducting
electricity to transmit information
- conduction of
heat
in the horticulture industry synthetics are often used in soils
to help the plants grow better. exampes are
expanded polystyrene flakes
urea-formaldehyde foam resin
polyurethane foam
phenolic resin foam
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