Fash215 Chapter 8 Synthetic Fibers

Polyester

Most widely used synthetic fiber

Easy-care

Resilient

Oleophilic

Good tactile properties

Build up static charge

Advantages of polyester fiberfill

Has no odor when wet

Retains its insulative qualities when wet

Dries quickly

Low cost

Uses of polyester

Woven fabrics for apparel and home furnishings (top & bottom weight fabrics, sheets, table linens, sheer curtains, etc.)

Knitted fabrics (jersey)

Fiberfill (pillows, sleeping bags, parkas, etc.)

Often blended with other fibers

Non-woven & fiberweb fabrics

Tire cord

Tradenames of insulative polyesters

Hollofil

Quallofil

Sontique

Disadvantages of Polyester

Made from an oil base -- rayon is made from wood pulp.

oleophilic

electrostatic

uncomfortable

Polyester Producers

KoSa

Invista

Honeywell

DAK Americas

Wellman, Inc.

Polyester Tradenames

Comforel

Coolmax

Dacron

Ecofil

ESP

Loftguard

Catalyst

a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction, but itself remains unchanged

catalyst commonly used in polyester

antimony

Polyester recycling rate

higher than most other plastics/fibers

Post-consumer polyester

Valuable fuel

High energy content

Nylon

3rd most widely used fiber

1st synthetic fiber produced in U.S.

Used first in 1939 in women's hosiery

Used for parachutes in World War II

Uses of Nylon

90% of all carpet in nylon

Lingerie fabrics

95% of women's hosiery is nylon

Active sportswear; taffeta for windbreakers and parkas

Lining fabrics

Tires for automobiles

Car interior fabrics

Sleeping bags

Upholstery fabrics

Nylon Characteristics

Color scavenger

Strength

Durability

Abrasion Resistance

Stain Resistance

More moisture absorbing than other synthetic fibers

Nylon aesthetics

variable

Nylon luster

medium

Nylon durability

high

Nylon abrasion resistance

high

Nylon tenacity

high

Nylon elongation

variable

Nylon comfort

moderate

Nylon absorbency

poor

Nylon thermal retention

good

Nylon appearance retention

excellent

Nylon 6,6

2 monomers

produced from two monomers through condensation polymerization

Nylon 6

1 monomer

Nylon

High moisture absorbency in plastics

Fastest growing fiber in world

Olefin

What are other names for Olefin

Polypropylene, polyethylene

Olefin Characteristics

Inexpensive

Difficult to dye

Lightest of all textile fibers

Extremely heat sensitive, low melting point

Excellent wicking abilities

Olefin Uses

Thermal underwear

Upholstery fabrics

Carpets

Thinsulate

Tyvek

Security envelopes

Special Types of Olefin

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Dyneema® by DSM

Elastic olefin: Lastol

UHMWPE

Extremely long chain of polyethylene

DP greater than 100,000

Molecular weight between 2 to 6 million

5th most widely used fiber

Acrylic

Acrylic characteristics

Warmth without weight (wool substitute)

Pills, high tenacity Piltrol by Monsanto

Washable

Hypo-allergenic

Acrylic durability

moderate

acrylic abrasion resistance

moderate

Acrylic tenacity

moderate

Acrylic elongation

moderate to high

Acrylic comfort

moderate

Acrylic absorbancy

poor

Acrylic thermal retention

moderate

acrylic appearance retention

moderate

Acrylic resilience

moderate

Acrylic dimensional stability

moderate

Acrylic elastic recovery

moderate

Uses of acrylic

Fleece fabrics

Sweaters

Socks

Craft yarns

Pile fabrics (coats, linings, stuffed animals)

Blankets

Sweatshirts

Acrylic Brand Names

Acrilan

Creslan

Pil-trol

Zefran

Modacrylic

Used where flame retardancy is necessary

Modacrylic uses

robes

blankets

upholstery

fake furs

wigs

hair pieces

Protective clothing

Home furnishings