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 ispolyester (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.
Related articles
Sources
- Textile Environmental Handbook
- [1] Fletcher, Kate, Sustainable Fashion and Textiles - Design journeys