Synthetic fibers, high-performance

Dragline silk, used by spiders... exhibits a combination of strength and toughness unmatched by other high-performance synthetic fibers. [Kevlar]... 

Committee on High-Performance Synthetic Fibers for Composites, National Materials Advisory Board, National Research Coimcil, High-Performance Synthetic Fibers for Composites, 1992. 

What are the possible routes for making high-performance synthetic fibers ... 

Several methods can be used to obtain high-performance synthetic fibers. Give three examples. 

Fig. 8.8 The basic structure of high-performance polymer fibers (Staudinger s model [51]) and some examples of polymers and of a CNT used as building block for synthetic fibers. (Courtesy of H. Yue). With kind permission from Wiley (2006).

Ladizesky NH, Ward IM, Bortfield W (1997) Hydroxylapatite high-performance polyethylene fiber composites for high-load-bearing bone replacement materials. J Appl Polymer Sci 65 1865-1882 Landi E, Tampieri A, Celotti G, Sprio S (2000) Derrsification behaviour and mechanisms of synthetic hydroxylapatites. J Europ Ceram Soc. 20 2377-2387... 

A high performance synthetic such as aramid fiber or TCP will have a friction coefficient... 

The use of 2-aminothiazole derivatives as dyeing compounds is direct related to the development of synthetic fibers. Some typical examples are given in Table VI-14. The importance of these dyes lies in their performance on acetate fibers. They have excellent fastness to gas fumes, produce a bright blue shade, and have a high tinctorial strength. Their only disadvantage is their relatively low light fastness, which does limit their application. 

The principal classes of high performance fibers are derived from rigid-rod polymers, gel spun fibers, modified carbon fibers, synthetic vitreous fibers, and poly(phenyiene sulfide) fibers. 

Resistance to axial compressive deformation is another interesting property of the silk fibers. Based on microscopic evaluations of knotted single fibers, no evidence of kink-band failure on the compressive side of a knot curve has been observed (33,35). Synthetic high performance fibers fail by this mode even at relatively low strain levels. This is a principal limitation of synthetic fibers in some stmctural appHcations. 

There is no question that the bane of textile chemists in the area of cross-linking for smooth-dry performance is the loss of abrasion resistance. This has been a continuing problem when durable press is pushed to high levels of performance. Numerous approaches to this problem have been explored (32). However, the simplest solution has been to blend cotton with synthetic fibers. A 50—50 cotton—polyester fabric can have exceUent smooth-dry performance and yet be able to endure numerous launderings. 

For example, in bulk appHcations as thermal insulation, synthetic mineral fibers (glass or slag fibers) have adequately replaced natural asbestos fibers. In sprayed insulation coatings, asbestos fibers have been replaced, for example, by vermicuhte. As replacement for asbestos textiles, clothing made from aramid fibers or aluminized glass fibers is being offered (see High PERFORMANCE FIBERS). 

Gabara, V., High performance fibres 1 arainid fibres, in Synthetic Fiber Materials, Brody, H. (Ed.), Longman, Harlow, United Kingdom, 1994, Chapter 9. 

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