Synthetic polymeric fibers

Figure 13.10 Schematic representation of the most general type of fatigue fracture of a nylon 6,6 fiber [26], From The fatigue of synthetic polymeric fibers, Brunsell, A. R. and Hearle, J. W. S., J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 18, 267 (1974), copyright (1974 John Wiley Sons, Inc.). Reprinted by permission of John Wiley Sons, Inc.

Another important attribute of vegetable fibers is that they are subject to biological decay. Most vegetable fibers darken and weaken with age and exposure to light. They are not as durable as synthetic polymeric fibers. All of them get easily attacked by a variety of organisms, at high humidity and temperature, leading to rot and mildew. 

In what follows, we first describe general processing techniques used to make synthetic polymeric fibers, followed by a description of the processing, structure, and properties of some important low modulus organic fibers. Finally, we describe, in some detail, two commercially important, high-stifihess fibers aramid and polyethylene. 

Some important low modulus synthetic polymeric fibers... 

In this section we describe the processing, structure, and properties of some important low modulus synthetic polymeric fibers. 

Synthetic polymeric fibers find extensive applications in all walks of life. 

Geotextiles have become one of the most important fields of application for synthetic polymeric fibers. In view of their great importance, we describe them in a separate section. Textiles made of synthetic polymer fibers are used in various applications to address a variety of solids-related problems in civil engineering such as soil support, stabilization, separation and filtration, reinforcement of... 

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