Elastomeric fibers applications

Elastomers come next in order of quantity sold worldwide. Like the previous categories, elastomers cover an extremely broad range of material types and application areas. They include cast elastomers, spray and rotational casting elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, microcellular elastomers, gels, and elastomeric fibers. Each type is covered separately.13d> 14... 

Looking back on the history of sportswear evolution, it is easy to see that not only professional athletes but also average sports enthusiasts have searched for wearable clothes that enable them to elevate their body strength and realize their sports potential. The invention of elastic fiber has delivered multiple advances in the sportswear industry. Nowadays, sportswear characteristics with elastic fiber, including compression, freedom of movement, and comfort, are essential for athletes in most sports. Recently, some new elastic fibers with improving properties and functions have been developed, applied, or have large potential applications in the sportswear industry. In this chapter, the recent developments of elastomeric fibers, elastomeric yams, and fabrics used in sportswear are introduced and discussed. 

Sportswear functions Applications Elastomeric fiber types... 

Fibers for spedal applications (high modulus fibers, elastomeric fibers, carbon fibers, high temperature-resistant... 

Since the elastomeric fibers are often a component in the core of blended yarns, coloration is not important in all applications. Rubber fibers cannot be dyed readily and are colored through mixing of pigments into the rubber prior to extrusion into fibers. Spandex fibers are more... 

The major applications of rubbery materials today include automotive tires, rubber bands, tubing of various kinds, electric wire insulation, elastomeric urethane fibers for undergarments, and silicone rubber. Such types of polymers are important materials in our 21st-century world. 

Appropriate telechelic polymers produced from a variety of monomers may be incorporated as reactive components in a variety of applications such as sealants, elastomers, foams, and fibers. Such telechelic polymers may impart almost any desired characteristic such as hydrophilic properties, elastomeric properties, dyeability, and solvent resistance. A dihydroxy telechelic polymer may be reacted with a telechelic polymer containing two carboxylic acid groups to produce a condensed polyester. Accordingly, from these telechelic entities one may produce block copolymers that will have alternating addition polymer residues of like or unlike repeat units. In addition, block copolymers can be produced by modifications of this procedure in which addition polymers are alternated with condensation polymer units. 

Many other high volume consumer products make use of one or more core layers with absorbent properties. Among the most quickly and highly developed applications are baby diapers, which use super absorbent fibers. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) molecules can trap and hold hundreds to thousands of times their own weight in fluid, ultimately forming a gel. The super absorbent core layer in a diaper is between a non-woven cover stock, a one or two layer non-woven fluff/pulp sheet that takes up, distributes, and draws liquid into the core, and a microporous back sheet. In addition, elastomeric materials and waterproof elements are incorporated. The super absorbent core not only stores liquid but actively pulls moisture out of the damp or even wet fluff/ pulp, thus leaving the contact areas soft and dry. 

MAJOR APPLICATIONS Fiber, slit tape, cast and biaxially oriented film, containers and closures, automotive interior trim, appliance housings and components, component in elastomeric blends with polyethylene and olefinic rubbers. 

Gaskets and other seals are required for use in many applications where adjacent surfaces are to be sealed to prevent fluid or gas leakage [81]. Composite gasket materials made by a wet laid process are comprised of a fiber component which is distributed within an elastomeric binder matrix, together with property improving solid fillers [82]. 

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