SYNTHETIC FABRICS

Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers created for a specific functionandenduse.Itreferstothesynthesisoftwoormore elements to create a new compound. Most are melt spun and can be modified by changing spinning solutions, spinning methods, formulations, and finishes. Synthetic fibers are made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Plant cellulose fibers are regenerated from natural sources such as wood and use chemicals to create fibers.

Bioengineeredfibersuseproteins,sugars,orstarchestocreate fibers. “Now 70% of all global fiber production is man-made fibers.” (Hallet 182) China is the main producer of man-made fibers. At first, synthetic fibers got their origins with the development of cellulose acetate and rayon. But the true first artificial fiber was nylon which was developed as a cheap alternative to silk. Synthetic fibers can have round, oval, dog bone, flat, star-shaped, triangular, serrated, tri or multilobular,orhollowcrossections.

They can be lustrous, soft, smooth, harsh, stretchy, loopy, bulky, insulating, crimped, dull, or transparent. Most are white, unless they are solution or dope dyed. They are spun as filaments and then cut to staple length. They tend to pill, have poor absorbency, are heat sensitive, and are chemical resistant. They don’t degrade unless it is by the sun. Some common uses are for apparel, furnishing,andindustry.