Other Synthetic Fibers

As shown in Table 3.3, the productivity of all synthetic fibers in 2002 was 34.906 MT at an annual growth rate of 4.2%, and that of other chemical fibers was 349 KT at a growth rate of 4.2%. This includes 240 KT polyurethane (PU), 40 KT polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 13 KT poly(p-phenylene benzohwthiazole) (PBT), 10 KT hydrophilic fibers, and 53 KT high-performance fibers, which includes 35 KT aramid fibers. 

The past growth of polypropylene and that projected for the future are due to the improvements in the properties of fibers made from the resin and an increased knowledge of how to take advantage of some of its unique characteristics. 

---

The physical properties of these fibers are compared with those of natural fibers and other synthetic fibers in Table 1. Additional property data may be found in compilations of the properties of natural and synthetic fibers (1). Apart from the polyolefins, acryhcs and nylon fibers are the lightest weight fibers on the market. Modacryhcs are considerably more dense than acryhcs, with a density about the same as wool and polyester. 

The mechanical properties of acryUc and modacryUc fibers are retained very well under wet conditions. This makes these fibers well suited to the stresses of textile processing. Shape retention and maintenance of original bulk in home laundering cycles are also good. Typical stress—strain curves for acryhc and modacryUc fibers are compared with wool, cotton, and the other synthetic fibers in Figure 2. 

Visual and Manual Tests. Synthetic fibers are generally mixed with other fibers to achieve a balance of properties. Acryhc staple may be blended with wool, cotton, polyester, rayon, and other synthetic fibers. Therefore, as a preliminary step, the yam or fabric must be separated into its constituent fibers. This immediately estabUshes whether the fiber is a continuous filament or staple product. Staple length, brightness, and breaking strength wet and dry are all usehil tests that can be done in a cursory examination. A more critical identification can be made by a set of simple manual procedures based on burning, staining, solubiUty, density deterrnination, and microscopical examination. 

Physical Properties. Table 1 (2) shows that olefin fibers differ from other synthetic fibers in two important respects (/) olefin fibers have very low moisture absorption and thus excellent stain resistance and almost equal wet and dry properties, and (2) the low density of olefin fibers allows a much lighter weight product at a specified size or coverage. Thus one kilogram of polypropylene fiber can produce a fabric, carpet, etc, with much more fiber per unit area than a kilogram of most other fibers. 

Commercial production of PVA fiber was thus started in Japan, at as early a period as that for nylon. However, compared with various other synthetic fibers which appeared after that period, the properties of which have continuously been improved, PVA fiber is not very well suited for clothing and interior uses because of its characteristic properties. The fiber, however, is widely used in the world because of unique features such as high affinity for water due to the —OH groups present in PVA, excellent mechanical properties because of high crystallinity, and high resistance to chemicals including alkah and natural conditions. 

Moisture Absorbency. PVA fiber is more hygroscopic than any other synthetic fiber. The hygroscopicity varies depending on how the fiber is processed after spinning, ie, in heat-drawing, he at-treatment, acetalization, and the like. 

PVA fiber is better in dimensional stabifity under dry heat than other synthetic fibers. 

Acrylic fiber breaking strength ranges between 22,000 and 39,000 psi and they have a water absorption of approximately 5%. Dynel, due to the presence of chlorine, is less flammable than many other synthetic fibers. 

Standardization of the world fiber business on PET guarantees that future fiber technology efforts will remain focused on this polymer. Costs and efficiencies will get better, and other fiber types will be even less competitive. Domination of the PET commodity fiber business by Asian countries will encourage more efforts by Western and Japanese producers to further expand into niche markets with special fiber types, and to further displace natural and other synthetic fibers from their markets. 

Phenol is both a man-made chemical and produced naturally. It is found in nature in some foods and in human and animal wastes and decomposing organic material. The largest single use of phenol is as an intermediate in the production of phenolic resins. However, it is also used in the production of caprolactam (which is used in the manufacture of nylon 6 and other synthetic fibers) and bisphenol A (which is used in the manufacture of epoxy and other resins). Phenol is also used as a slimicide (a chemical toxic to bacteria and fungi characteristic of aqueous slimes), as a disinfectant, and in medicinal preparations such as over-the-counter treatments for sore throats. Phenol ranks in the top 50 in production volumes for chemicals produced in the United States. Chapters 3 and 4 contain more information. 

Contrary to other synthetic fiber materials, polypropylene fibers cannot be colored by contacting them with an aqueous solution or dispersion of organic dyes. Due to its highly apolar nature, polypropylene is not able to interact with conventional dye molecules, so that it cannot take up any dye from the dye bath. 

Approximately 750,000 tons of benzoic acid is produced globally each year. Benzoic acids greatest use is as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. More than 90% of benzoic acid production is converted into phenol (C6H5OH, see Phenol) or caprolactam (C6HuNO). Caprolactam is used in the production of nylon and other synthetic fibers. 

Ethylene is the basis for a large number of chemical reactions leading to styrene, acrylonitrile, Orion, and other synthetic fibers. Large scale production of ethylene for chemical raw material has recently been announced by one major oil company. Part will be made from natural gas ethane. 

Approximately 3.9 x 106 t of nylon fiber is produced worldwide nylon-6,6 and nylon-6 account for about 98% of the total production. Nylon fibers are used for carpets, tire cord, cordage, soft-sided luggage, automotive air bags, parachutes, apparel, swimwear, and sheer hosiery. The advantages of nylon fibers over other synthetic fibers are high strength, durability, resilience, ease of dyeability, and low specific gravity. 

Dyes for Cellulose Ester and Synthetic Polyamide Fibers. The first disperse dyes were developed for dyeing cellulose fibers, but the importance of these diminished considerably when other synthetic fibers appeared on the market. Synthetic polyamide fibers could be dyed with dyes used for acetate fibers very few new dyes had to be developed specifically for polyamide fibers. 

Like all other synthetic fibers that have become competitively popular, nylon in both the filament and staple form must have certain properties that are superior to natural fibers. It is stronger than any natural fiber and has a wet strength of 80 to 90 percent of its dry strength. Its good flexing tenacity makes it very desirable for women s hosiery, and it has good stretch recovery. Nylon s high tenacity has made it important in parachute fabrics and related nonapparel items. Nylon can be dyed by all acid and dispersed dyes. It has a low affinity for direct cotton, sulfur, and vat dyes. 

The large-production reinforcing agent used today is primarily glass. Other fibers include cotton, cellulosic fiber, sisal, polyamide, jute, carbon, graphite, boron, whiskers, steel, and other synthetic fibers.10 12> 289 291, 466 They all offer wide variations in composition, properties, fiber orientation/construction, weight, and cost (Tables 15.4 and 15.5... 

Used on rayon, acetate, and other synthetic fibers. Delusterant... 

Softener for cotton, cotton/polyester, nylon, acrylic and other synthetic fibers. Gives soft, silky hand. Non-yellowing. Modified Cationic... 

Durable antistat for nylon and other synthetic fibers blended with containing cellulosics. 

OBA for polyester and other synthetic fibers. Stable in chlorite or Peroxide bleach systems. Strong bluish cast. 

Cationic softener for nylon tricot and other synthetic fibers sueding assslstant. 

Non-red label solvent scour for the removal of oils, spin finishes, and other lubricants from polyester and other synthetic fibers. Low foaming for use in high turbulence equipment. 

Fibers made from borosilicate glass are also used in making cloth. Borosilicate fibers are blended with other synthetic fibers to make durable fabric for automobile seat covers and other long-wear applications. 

Asbestos-reinforced organic binders (thermoplastics, duroplasts and elastomers) are widely utilized e.g. hardenable molding materials on the basis of asbestos-reinforced phenol or melamine resins for the manufacture of insulating components for combustion engines, components for electrical installations, cogwheels etc. Possible fiber substitutes are glass fibers, carbon fibers and other synthetic fibers (e.g. aramide fibers) and non-fiber fillers such as calcium carbonate, clay or talcum. 

Use Solvent for polymerization and cyanide reactions analytical reagent spinning polyacrylonitrile and other synthetic fibers industrial cleaners, pesticides, paint stripping hydraulic fluids preservation of cells at low temperatures diffusion of drugs, etc., into blood stream by topical application medicine (antiinflammatory) veterinary medicine plant pathology and nutrition pharmaceutical products metal-complexing agent. 

Bureau of the Census, Synthetic Broad Woven Goods, Facts for Industry, Series M 15C, quarterly, March 1944-. Production of rayon, acetate, nylon, and other synthetic fibers by type of fabric. Also consumption of yarns in fabrics. Formerly Series 32-3 (March 1944—December 1946). 

Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, Trends in the Consumption of Fibers in the U. S. 1892-1948. Consumption of raw fibers and foreign trade and consumption by ultimate consumers of cotton, wool, silk, flax, rayon, and other synthetic fibers, and industrial fibers. 

Behavioral examinations (psychological tests, psychomotor tests, and cognitive-perceptual tests) of 131 workers in a rayon plant who were exposed to carbon disulfide were compared to those of 167 workers who worked in textile plants that manufactured other synthetic fibers. Exposure and companion (control) groups and exposure levels are the same as those described for the Johnson et al. (1983) study. The workers completed a checklist of symptoms characteristic of various neurobehavioral syndromes. The results showed no behavioral changes of any major significance. The rayon workers did report symptoms of neurobehavioral ailments, however. Workers were classified individually according... 

Romie. Udcai Seiyu Ind.] Polyquaternary ammonium salt softener for acrylic and other synthetic fibers. 

Thus, the results herein support Che conclusion that Improved FOY texturing, as measured by reduced broken filament counts, can be attained via Increases In either the spun yarn amorphous orientation or crystalline content. These desired morphological changes can be achieved via Increased spinning speed, molecular weight, capillary diameter, and reduced melt tonperature. The applicability of these polyester conclusions for other synthetic fibers Is under study and will be reported in the future. 

In 1996, Wacker-Chemie-GmbH Co. Ltd in Germany developed an active CD, and immobilized it to the cellulose by dipping and padding. This kind of novel CD could be applied to modify not only the cellulose, starch, gelatin and other natural polymer materials, but also the polyester, polyamide, polypropylene and other synthetic fibers. Therefore, they could be used in different functional materials if treated appropriately. For example, a kind of fiber-CDPs encapsulated squalane was developed in Japan. Despite repeated washing, encapsulated squalane was able to maintain the moisturizing capabilities. 

For providing electrical paper sheets [reduce the dielectric loss and increase the dielectric properties), literature attempts include the modification of paper substrate by oxidation [35], impregnation of cellulose paper with insulating oils [36], and replacing the cellulose fibers by some synthetic materials that exhibit better dielectric properties than cellulose, e.g., polypropylene fibers and other synthetic fibers [37, 38], or by treating with ferric chloride [39]. 

---