Nylon

 Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 are two important

polyamides and find application in woven
and nonwoven industries.
Nylon 6
 Nylon 6 is produced from polymerisation
of caprolactam. Process steps involved in
production of Nylon 6 involve the
following steps
Caprolectum is a white flaky solid, melting
at 68 deg C and is soluble in water. the
polymerisation is carried out in stainless
steel cylinders.
 Density: 1.14 g/cc
Tenacity: Dry= 4.2-5.8 gpd, Wet=4.0-5.3
gpd
Elongation at Break--> Dry = 24-40,
Wet=28-43
Elastic Recovery at 4% extension= 100%
Moisture Regain= 4%
Because of low MR, wet nylon dries
quickly.
Melting Point= 215 deg C ( Nylon 66-250
deg C)
Nylon 66
 Synthetic Fibers
• Production: Synthesize polymer from raw
materials by addition or condensation
polymerization.
 Nylon


Uses

a. Tyre Cord
Manufacturing
b. Fishing Lines
c. Luxury Yachts
d. Stockings with good fit,
sheerness, quick washing
and drying properties.
 Polyester
 Production: Melt spun of
condensation polymer from di-
acid and di-alcohol, hot drawn.
 Physical structure: Variety
of types.
 Chemical structure:
Manufactured fiber in which
the fiber-forming substance is a
long chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 85% by
weight of an ester of a dihydric
alcohol and terephthalic acid.
 Straight molecular chains with
high degree of orientation.
 Several polymer types.
Polyester Properties
 Physical: Can resemble most natural fibers; many
types.
 Mechanical: Excellent strength & abrasion
resistance; good breaking elongation.
 Chemical: Low density; low absorbency; static
prone; soil release finishes improve wicking;
performance and stretch polyester available.
Polyester
 Appearance retention:
Excellent elasticity; excellent
resiliency; does not shrink if
properly heat set; resists wrinkling.
 Care: Easy care, quick drying;
resists most common fiber
degradants; thermoplastic; heavier
than nylon & acrylic; oleophilic.
 Environmental impact:
Extensive recycling programs.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
6Y7PKyQ7Sfg&feature=related
 Identification: Resistant to most
solvents.
Polyester

 Fiber modifications: Cross section; size;

dyeability; solution dyed, textured, tenacity; shrinkage;
pill resistant; copolymer; bigeneric; luster; binder
staple; flame retardant; antistatic; anti-soil;
antimicrobial; delustered; nonpilling.
 End uses: Apparel; furnishings; industrial (fiberfill,
nonwoven fabrics, tire cord, sporting goods, rope,
cordage, filters, geotextiles, medical applications).
 Olefin
 Production:
◦ High-pressure system
◦ Low-pressure system
◦ Addition polymer:
melt spun; cold drawn
◦ May be gel spun
Olefin
 Physical structure: Available in many forms.
 Chemical structure: Manufactured fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain
synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by
weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units
except amorphous (noncrystalline) polyolefins
qualifying as rubber, polypropylene or polyethylene.
 Olefin Properties
 Physical: Can be modified for end use.
 Mechanical: Good tenacity, elongation, and
abrasion resistance.
 Chemical: Low regain, good wicking, non-
static; light weight; waxy hand, but can be
modified; performance fibers.
 Moisture vapor transport rate
(MVRT): Measures the rate moisture vapor
moves from the fabric side next to the body to
the fabric’s exterior side.
 Olefin
 Appearance retention:
Excellent resiliency; good
dimensional stability.
 Care: Unaffected by water borne
stains; excellent resistant to most
chemicals; low melting point;
oleophilic.
 Environmental impact: Few
processing chemicals used; easily
recycled; used for environmental
applications.
 Identification: Melt spinnable.
 Olefin
 Fiber modifications: Heat stabilized; light
stabilized; modified cross section and size; solution
dyed, dye-ability; fibrillated; high tenacity.
 End uses: Apparel; furnishings; industrial (carpet
backing; dye nets, diaper cover stock, filter fabrics,
bags, wall panel fabrics, envelopes, banners,
geotextiles, ground cover fabrics, protective clothing,
substrates for coated fabrics, ropes, twines).
Acrylic
 Production: Addition polymer or copolymer; dry
spun & hot drawn or wet spun & drawn.
 Physical structure: Cross-sectional shape & size
varies; usually staple.
 Chemical structure: Manufactured fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain
synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by
weight of acrylonitrile units; copolymer or graft
copolymer; bicomponent.
 Acrylic Properties
 Physical: Various types;
often textured or
crimped.
 Mechanical: Moderate
tenacity, abrasion
resistance, & breaking
elongation.
 Chemical: Not as
synthetic feeling; low
density; low regain.
Acrylic

 Appearance retention: Good resiliency &

elasticity; moderate dimensional stability; poor
heat settability; pills readily.
 Care: Follow care instructions; resistant to
chemicals, insects, & sunlight.
 Environmental impact: Chemicals used to
produce raw materials, spin fibers, & wash fibers;
dyes.
 Identification: Solubility test.
 Acrylic
 Fiber modifications: Self
crimping, solution dyed,
bicomponent or copolymer,
modified cross section, size,
dyeability.
 End uses: Furnishings;
apparel; industrial (craft yarn,
tarps, awnings, luggage, vehicle
covers, tents, sandbags,
precursor of carbon fiber).
 Modacrylic
 Production: Addition copolymer, dry spun, hot
drawn.
 Physical structure: Staple fiber, variable cross
section.
 Chemical structure: Manufactured fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is any long chain
synthetic polyamide comprised of less than 85% but
at least 35% by weight of acrylonitrile.
Modacrylic Properties
 Physical: Latent crimp for realistic
fake furs; other modifications based
on end use.
 Mechanical: Low abrasion
resistance & tenacity, good
elongation.
 Chemical: warm, soft, pills; low
regain; moderate density.
 Appearance retention:
Moderate resiliency & dimensional
stability; high elastic recovery.
 Care: Resists most common fiber
degradants; flame retardant; heat
sensitive; washable or dry cleanable.
 Modacrylic
 Environmental impact: Fewer problems; minor
fiber.
 Identification: Self extinguishes, solubility test.
 Fiber modifications: Heat sensitivity, solution
dyed, dyeability, crimped.
 End uses: Furnishings; apparel; industrial
(protective clothing, filters, wigs, blankets &
upholstery in airplanes).
Special Use Fibers
 Elastomeric Fibers
 Elastomers: A natural or
synthetic polymer which, at room
temperature, can be stretched
repeatedly to at least twice its
original length and which, after
removal of the tensile load, will
immediately and forcibly return to
approximately its original length.
 Kinds of stretch
Power stretch: holding power with
elasticity; fibers with high retractive
forces
Comfort stretch: only elasticity
desired
Rubber
 Manufactured fiber in which the
fiber-forming substance is
comprised of natural or synthetic
rubbers.
 Natural rubber: From plant
source.
 Synthetic rubbers: Synthetic
sources.
 Properties of both types similar
Excellent elongation & elasticity
Low tenacity influences end use
Poor resistance to aging, sunlight,
oil, perspiration, oxidizing agents
Low dyeability, hand, regain
Spandex
 Wet or dry spun from synthetic
polymers.
 Physical structure: Mono or
multifilament; variable sizes.
 Chemical structure: A manufactured
fiber in which the fiber-forming substance
is a long-chain synthetic polymer
consisting of at least 85% of a segmented
polyurethane (also known as elastane).
Spandex
Physical: Seldom used alone; no cover
yarn needed.
Mechanical: More durable than rubber;
improved tenacity & flex life; similar
elongation &elasticity; better resistance to
body oils, perspiration, chemicals, aging.
Chemical: Low regain; moderate density.
Care: Resistant to cleaning chemicals;
thermoplastic.
Uses: Apparel, industrial, furnishings.
Spandex
Elastoester
 Manufactured fiber in which the fiber-
forming substance is a long-chain synthetic
polymer consisting of at least 50% by weight
of aliphatic polyether and at least 35% by
weight of polyester; elongation of 600%.
 Properties: Low tenacity; lower elasticity
compared to other elastomers; superior
strength retention in wet heat conditions &
after treatment with alkalis; better dyeability
& print clarity compared to spandex.
 Uses: Outerwear & furnishings.
OTHER ELASTOMERICS

 Elasterell –P
◦ An elastic bicomponent polyester; good inherent
stretch with excellent recovery; easy care; active
sportswear, leisure; known as multelastester in
Europe.
 Lastol
◦ Elastic cross-linked copolymer olefin; superior
stretch and recovery; chemically stable; active wear
and easy care stretch apparel.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance
 Aramid
◦ Manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is any long-chain synthetic
polyamide in which at least 85% of the amide
linkages are attached directly to two aromatic
rings.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Aramid (cont.)
◦ Processing: Wet or dry spun & drawn.
◦ Physical structure: Staple or filament.
◦ Properties: Exceptional heat and
flame resistance & strength; high
tenacity & resistance to stretch;
resistant to most chemicals; excellent
impact & abrasion resistance; regain of
4.5%; usually mass pigmented.
◦ Uses: Industrial fiber; protective
apparel uses.
 Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Glass
◦ A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is glass
(silicon dioxide).
◦ Process: Melt spun, not drawn.
◦ Properties: Incombustible; good strength, but low flex abrasion
resistance (brittle); low elongation; high density; nonabsorbent.
◦ Uses: Furnishings and industrial.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Metal and metallic fibers
Manufactured fiber composed of metal,
plastic-coated metal, metal-coated plastic, or
a core completely covered by metal.
Processing: Laminating or metalizing.
Types
Gold, silver, brass, etc.
Aluminum: Often coated with plastic film to
minimize tarnishing; may be stiff and inflexible.
Stainless steel: Superfine filaments of steel to
reduce static potential; strong, stiff, and heavy.
Uses: Apparel, furnishings, and industrial.
Production
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Novoloid
◦ Manufactured fiber in which the
fiber-forming substance contains
at least 35% by weight of cross-
linked novolac.
◦ Properties: Outstanding flame
resistance; good resistance to
sunlight; inert to most
chemicals.
◦ Uses: Flame-resistant industrial
products.
 Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 PBI
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance
is a long-chain synthetic aromatic polymer having recurring
imidazole groups as an integral part of the polymer chain.
Processing: Dry spun & drawn.
Properties: Good tenacity & breaking elongation; mass
pigmented; flame resistant; high regain.
Uses: Heat resistance apparel; furnishings for aircraft,
hospitals, & submarines; industrial filters & membranes.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Sulfar
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long-chain synthetic polysulfide in
which at least 85% of the sulfide linkages are
attached directly to two aromatic rings.
Production: Melt spun; drawn.
Properties: Good tenacity and breaking
elongation; excellent elasticity & resistance to
acids/alkalis; low regain; moderate density.
Uses: Filtration fabrics; papermaking felts,
membranes, rubber reinforcement, & electrical
insulation.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Saran
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 85% by weight of vinylidene
chloride units.
Production: Melt spun, hot drawn.
Properties: Good weathering properties,
resistant to chemicals, tough, durable; good
tenacity; low regain; heavy; does not support
combustion.
Uses: Competes with olefin for similar end uses.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
Vinyon
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-
forming substance is a long-chain synthetic
polymer composed of at least 85% by weight
of vinyl chloride units.
Properties: Low tenacity; very sensitive to
heat; unaffected by moisture; chemically stable;
poor conductor of electricity; does not burn.
Uses: Bonding agents for rugs, papers, &
fiberweb fabrics & for other industrial
products.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
Vinal
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 50% by weight of vinyl
alcohol units and in which the total of the vinyl
alcohol units and any one or more of the various
acetal units is at least 85% by weight of the fiber.
Properties: Strong fiber, weaker when wet;
flame resistant; good resistance to chemicals;
mass pigmented.
Uses: Protective apparel and industrial goods.
 Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Fluoropolymer (PTFE)
A manufactured fiber containing
at least 95% of a long chain
polymer synthesized from
aliphatic fluorocarbon
monomers; polymerized under
pressure and heat with catalyst.
Properties: Average tenacity,
low elongation, good pliability;
heavy; temperature resistant;
resistant to chemicals, sunlight,
weathering, & aging; low friction
coefficient.
Uses: Industrial, Apparel (Gore-
Tex®)
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Carbon
◦ Heat stabilized, cross-linked
polyacrylonitrile.
◦ Properties: High strength; rigid;
exceptional heat resistance;
moderately heavy; high regain; very
low coefficient of thermal expansion;
chemically inert; biocompatible.
◦ Uses: Reinforcement fibers in resins
& metals; bone-grafts; replacement
for asbestos.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Melamine
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-
forming substance is a synthetic polymer
composed of at least 50% by weight of a
cross-linked melamine polymer.
Properties: Moderate strength; 5%
regain; low elongation at break;
moderately heavy; fair abrasion resistance;
good to excellent resistance to most
chemicals.
Uses: Low cost competitor for meta-
aramid, PBI, sulfar, and polyimide.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Polyimide (PI or PEI)
◦ Properties: Moderately strong; 20%
elongation at break; low regain; moderate
specific gravity; good abrasion resistance; good
to excellent resistance to most chemicals;
moderately high cost.
◦ Uses: Filters, protective clothing, fire block
seating.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Polyphenylene
Benzobisoxazole
(PBO)
◦ Properties:
Nonflammable; high
temperature resistance;
good tenacity; 1.5
density; 2% regain; 3.5%
breaking elongation.
◦ Uses: Reinforcing fiber
in resins.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Ceramic Fibers
◦ Properties: Composed of
metal oxides, metal carbides,
metal nitrides, or other
mixtures; high thermal
resistance; high strength;
rigid.
◦ Uses: Reinforcing fibers in
resins or other compounds.
Fibers with Chemical, Heat, or Fire
Resistance (cont.)
 Polylactic Acid (PLA)
◦ Fermented & melt spun from cornstarch.
◦ Properties: Luster, drape, and hand of silk,
quick drying, good wrinkle resistance, and
good flame and ultraviolet light resistance.
◦ Uses: Apparel and industrial applications.