Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic Fibres

Fibres constitute a network of Fibres called fabrics that are obtained from natural or artificial sources. Natural sources of Fibres like cotton, wool, silk, etc., can be obtained from plants or animals while synthetic or man-made Fibres are prepared by human beings.

Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres that are mostly created from petrochemicals, which are petroleum-based basic ingredients. All textiles have fibres, which can be derived from natural or synthetic sources. They’re made up of a microscopic unit called a polymer, which is made up of many repeating monomers. Among the materials used are nylon, acrylics, polyurethane, and polypropylene. Vast quantities of these fibres are produced each year across the globe.

Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic Fibres constitute many units called polymers as natural consists. Several small units comprise polymers. The word ‘polymer’, a Greek word states- poly meaning many, and mer meaning part or unit. Thus, a polymer is made of many same repeating units.The processing of petroleum products called petrochemicals yields synthetic Fibres.

Types of Synthetic Fibres

Based on the usage of chemicals used in the manufacturing of synthetic Fibres, certain other Fibres are obtained called rayon, nylon, polyester, and acrylic.

Rayon: Chemical treatment of wood pulp yields rayon fibre. Rayon fibre is also called artificial silk as it has similar properties to silk.

• Rayon is cheaper than silk and can be woven into silk Fibres
• Can be dyed into wide colours
• Bedsheets are made by mixing rayon with cotton or with wool to make carpets

Nylon: Nylon is prepared from coal, water, and air. It is an adipic acid hexa methylene diamine polymer. Terylene is a synthetic fibre that is distinct from nylon. When terylene is boiled with phosphoric acid, it preserves its structure.

•         Nylon is strong, elastic, and has lustrous properties
•         It is easy to wash and is light
•         Articles obtained from nylon include socks, ropes, tents, brushes, seat belts, sleeping bags, curtains, etc
•         It is used in making parachutes and ropes used in rock climbing
•         A nylon thread is stronger than compared to steel wire.

Polyester is a type of synthetic fibre obtained from coal, air, water, and petroleum. The meaning of Polyester consists of two words-poly and ester stating that it is made up of repeating units of a molecule called an ester. Esters smell like fruit.

•         As polyester does not get wrinkled easily, these are used in making dresses and are easy to wash. The popular polyester used is Terylene
•         PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a polyester used for making bottles, wires, utensils, etc.

Acrylic is a polyacrylonitrile-based synthetic fabric. Acrylic Fibres are used in making sweaters, shawls, or blankets. Acrylic is cheap and is available in a wide variety of colours. Acrylic fibre is similar to wool in terms of appearance. Polyacrylonitrile is the other name for it. Because it is made by reacting several monomers with particular coal or petroleum-based compounds, this fabric is classified as a fossil fuel based textile.

• Synthetic fibres of this sort are soft and flexible
• Acrylic fibres are both warm and light in weight
• It is highly resistant to pesticides as well as moths and other insects
• It is utilised instead of wool since these synthetic fibres have a wool-like feel.

Characteristics of Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic Fibres have unique characteristics like they can be dried quickly, are durable, are cost-effective, and can be easily maintained. Fibres differ in terms of their strength like in water-retaining capacity, cost-effectiveness, durable nature, etc.

• Natural fibre is more expensive than synthetic fibre
• Synthetic fibres outperform natural fibres in terms of strength
• Natural fibres are less durable than synthetic fibres
• It takes less time for synthetic materials to dry
• Synthetic fibres are simple to keep clean.

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable

• Substances that get easily decomposed by natural agents like bacteria are termed as biodegradable whereas substances that do not get easily decomposed by natural processes are termed as non-biodegradable
• Polycot, poly-wool, terrycloth, etc. are fabrics that are made by mixing two types of Fibres
• Ø  Polycot- a mixture of polyester and cotton
• Ø  Poly Wool- a  mixture of polyester and wool
• Water and oil do not stick to a plastic called Teflon. Teflon is exploited on a commercial scale as it is used for making non-stick coating on household cookware

Conclusion

Surgical drapes and gowns are frequently made of synthetic fibres such as polypropylene and polyester, as well as viscose. Antimicrobial non-woven textiles were made by mixing a quaternary ammonium salt, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, directly into polyester, polypropylene, and viscose nonwoven fabrics. On polyester and polypropylene textiles, an interesting observation is the obvious zone of inhibition and great decrease of bacteria growth.