Last modified on 4 May 2015, at 10:04

Difference between revisions of "Manufactured fibers"

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{{Synthetic fibers}}
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Manufactured fibers are fibers which are produced by artificial means. Raw materials are synthesized (joined) to long molecular chains in a process known as [[polymerization]]. The polymer is melted or dissolved into a spin-solution. The solution is forced through [[nozzles]] having small holes to form long fiber [[filaments]]. The same synthetic fibers may have different names (trade name), depending on who manufactured it and where it is manufactured.
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Synthetic fibers are fibers which are produced by artificial means. Raw materials are synthesized (joined) to long molecular chains in a process known as [[polymerization]]. The polymer is melted or dissolved into a spin-solution. The solution is forced through [[nozzles]] having small holes to form long fiber [[filaments]].
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As starting material for the synthesis of polymer chains one usually use fractions of oil distillations (naphtha and alkenes), but the first polyamide manufacturing used pentose utilized by corncobs. Today oil chemistry is dominant in the manufacture of synthetic fiber polymers, even if plant material can be used for synthetic fibers such as [[PLA fiber]] ([[Ingeofiber]]).
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Manufactured fibres are divided into three main classifications: man-made synthetic fibres, cellulosic and protein (azlon).
  
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The most common synthetic fiber is [[polyester]] (PET). [[Polyamide]] (PA) which is durable, is also used in industrial applications. Another common synthetic fiber is [[acrylic]]. The same synthetic fibers may have different names (trade name), depending on who manufactured it and where it is manufactured.
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Man-made synthetic fibres are created using a polymerization process combining many small molecules into a large molecule (a polymer). Many of the polymers that constitute man-made fibres are similar to compounds that make up plastics, rubbers, adhesives and surface coatings.
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The most common synthetic fiber is [[polyester]] (PET). [[Polyamide]] (PA) which is durable, is also used in industrial applications. Other common synthetic fibers are [[acrylic]] and [[elastane]].
  
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==Environmental impact==
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Manufactured cellulosic fibres account for approximately 8% of global man-made fibres. These fibres are derived from a range of plant-based and woody materials, which require intensive chemical manufacturing processes to be transformed first into pulp and then into “regenerated” cellulosic filaments. These fibres include [[modal]], [[lyocell]], [[bamboo viscose]] and [[wood viscose]].
  
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The major environmental impact from the manufacture of synthetic fibers is that the raw material in the majority of cases are raw oil which is very energy intensive to extract. Oil extraction does not only affect the environment, it is also politically and socially controversial.
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Protein fibre, otherwise known as Azlon, is fibre which is composed of regenerated, naturally occurring protein derived from a number of sources, including: soybean, peanut, casein (from milk), zein (from maize), and collagen/gelatin (from animal protein) to name a few. Protein fibres have received considerable attention in the United States, Europe, China and Japan as an inexpensive substitute for wool, silk and cashmere fibres.  
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The oil is polymerized and is converted into polymers that are spun into fibers primarily by melt spinning processes. The polymerization requires different types of chemical catalysts to get the process working (which often is not good for the environment) and then must also chemicals be added to provide the fiber different characteristics. Examples of this is when you want the fibers to be matt or  if you want to add [[optical brighteners]].
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Polyester is made not only from oil but require much energy to produce. 1 kg polyester requires 109 mega joules of which half is the raw material itself and the other half is spent in production. 1 kg of polyamide requires 150 mega joules, compared with 50 mega joules for cotton. [1]
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The high speeds at spinning requires the use of lubricants, spinning lubricants which are mostly mineral oils with additives of surfactants to facilitate washout when dyeing.
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The production results in emissions of greenhouse gases because of the energy-intensive manufacturing and oil extraction.
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Latest revision as of 10:04, 4 May 2015

Manufactured fibers are fibers which are produced by artificial means. Raw materials are synthesized (joined) to long molecular chains in a process known as polymerization. The polymer is melted or dissolved into a spin-solution. The solution is forced through nozzles having small holes to form long fiber filaments. The same synthetic fibers may have different names (trade name), depending on who manufactured it and where it is manufactured.

Manufactured fibres are divided into three main classifications: man-made synthetic fibres, cellulosic and protein (azlon).

Man-made synthetic fibres are created using a polymerization process combining many small molecules into a large molecule (a polymer). Many of the polymers that constitute man-made fibres are similar to compounds that make up plastics, rubbers, adhesives and surface coatings. The most common synthetic fiber is polyester (PET). Polyamide (PA) which is durable, is also used in industrial applications. Other common synthetic fibers are acrylic and elastane.

Manufactured cellulosic fibres account for approximately 8% of global man-made fibres. These fibres are derived from a range of plant-based and woody materials, which require intensive chemical manufacturing processes to be transformed first into pulp and then into “regenerated” cellulosic filaments. These fibres include modal, lyocell, bamboo viscose and wood viscose.

Protein fibre, otherwise known as Azlon, is fibre which is composed of regenerated, naturally occurring protein derived from a number of sources, including: soybean, peanut, casein (from milk), zein (from maize), and collagen/gelatin (from animal protein) to name a few. Protein fibres have received considerable attention in the United States, Europe, China and Japan as an inexpensive substitute for wool, silk and cashmere fibres.

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