Because they are woven into so many things that we use on a daily basis, artificial and synthetic fibers have become a significant part of our daily lives. These man-made materials, which are used in household and clothing items, have several advantages that make them well-liked across a range of industries.
You can choose fabrics more wisely if you know the distinctions between synthetic and artificial fibers. Despite their apparent similarity, these fibers are created using various techniques and have unique characteristics that affect how well they work.
This article will examine how artificial and synthetic fibers are categorized and discuss their main benefits and drawbacks. Gaining more knowledge about these fibers will help you make wise choices, regardless of your preferences for comfort, durability, or environmental friendliness.
Fiber Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Rayon (Artificial) | Soft, breathable, drapes well | Weak when wet, prone to shrinking |
Acetate (Artificial) | Silky appearance, affordable | Low durability, can melt with heat |
Nylon (Synthetic) | Strong, resistant to wear, quick-drying | Can trap heat, not very breathable |
Polyester (Synthetic) | Durable, wrinkle-resistant, dries quickly | Can feel less breathable, may pill over time |
- Types of fibers
- Artificial fibers
- Acetate fiber
- Viscose fiber
- Polyester fibers
- Synthetic fibers
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- Synthetic fibers
Types of fibers
Naturally occurring fibers can come from plants, minerals, or animals.
There are numerous chemical processes used to produce inorganic fibers.
Group classification:
- Artificial fibers (obtained by chemical processing from various raw materials). Cellulose and fluff are most often used for their production.
- Synthetic fibers. This type is obtained from synthesized polymers, and the raw materials are cyclohexane, phenol, ethylene, benzene.
Both of these groups are widely produced in the modern industry to make textile products. Let’s take a closer look at each of their characteristics.
Artificial fibers
Artificial fibers are made from polymers only, and only those with a linear structure. Specialized solvents are used to melt or turn them into liquid. Long threads are produced when the resultant liquid is run through a sieve with an extremely fine weave in a thin stream. Polymers can also be artificially extracted and the molecules can then be arranged in a specific order.
The two most widely used synthetic fibers are rayon and acetate. Viscose, which comes from wood, or cotton fluff, which comes from cotton seeds, is the initial polymer. Various chemical solutions are used to liquefy cellulose, depending on the desired fiber type (viscose, staple, acetate, casein, and copper-acetate). Despite having a comparatively low hygroscopicity, artificial fibers are remarkably durable.
Acetate fiber
How to get fiber made of acetate:
- Cellulose reacts with acetic acid under the influence of sulfuric acid, resulting in the production of cellulose triacetate, dissolved in a mixture of ethanol and dichloroethane.
- A viscous thick solution is formed, which is passed through metal caps with a large number of small holes (spinnerets). Jets of solution through spinnerets enter a shaft through which heated air passes.
- As a result, the solvent gradually exhales and weightless threads appear, from which acetate silk is created by spinning.
The Frenchman Chardonnay obtained acetate fabric for the first time in 1889.
Because of its superior wear resistance, acetate fiber finds extensive application in the textile industry. It practically never wrinkles, deforms after washing, holds heat well, and has a pleasant texture.
Low hygroscopicity and a propensity to accumulate static electric charges are drawbacks. Fabric for men’s shirts, dresses, blouses, children’s clothes, and underwear is made from acetate fiber. Additionally, insulating material is made with it.
Viscose fiber
Cellulose is treated with an alkali-carbon disulfide solution to produce viscose fabric. One kind of fabric that is breathable, hygroscopic, and soft to the touch is viscose. It is richly and evenly colored, and it keeps its consumer qualities for a very long period.
In addition to its benefits, viscose fiber has a number of drawbacks, such as fabrics made of it wrinkling excessively and wearing out quickly, rendering the products useless. Viscose is mostly used in the sewing of women’s clothes because it makes for airy skirts and weightless tops.
Polyamides are highly electrified and essentially do not retain heat, but they are also resistant to stretching and abrasion. The finest lace, elastic threads, undergarments, and ropes are made of this kind.
The fact that polyamide fiber is incredibly unstable to heat effects is an interesting one. Thus, it loses half of its strength when heated to 160 degrees.
Polyester fibers
Dacron, terylene, and lavsan are examples of polyester fibers. An increase in rigidity and electrification is a common drawback. Lavsan is utilized in the manufacturing of home furnishings.
Synthetic fibers
New fabrics that could withstand harsh environments and be more practical and durable were required as industry developed. Fiber-forming polymer synthesis techniques were developed in the latter part of the 1930s, and synthetic fibers made their debut a few years later.
Synthetic fiber types:
- polyester (lavsan);
- polyamide (nylon, capron, enant);
- polyolefin;
- polyacrylonitrile (nitron).
The most widely used synthetic fiber in fabric manufacturing is capron, which is derived from caprolactam. The resin is melted first, then it is run through spinnerets, allowing the resin stems to cool before the fiber is removed.
Napron. Napron is well-known for its elasticity, chemical resistance, and wear resistance—its strength is comparable to that of steel. As nylon almost never absorbs moisture, it is not susceptible to deterioration. Nonetheless, nylon is not impervious to the effects of concentrated acid or heat (it melts at 250 degrees Celsius).
Tights, scarves, socks, blouses, durable fishing nets, artificial fur, and carpets are all made of nylon. It is also used to make filters and a unique material that is used to make car and airplane tire frames.
The foundation of equipment parts that are subjected to increased wear is nylon resin. In surgery, nylon threads are used. Because this type of thread is so light, one gram weighs nine kilometers of fiber.
Nitrogen. Nitrogen is equally elastic and robust. Its superior lightfastness and low heat conductivity are among its benefits. Nitrogen readily breaks down in the presence of a concentrated alkaline solution, but it is not sensitive to acids. The fiber is used to create carpeting and faux fur with pile.
Lavsan is similar to wool but has a much higher strength. Ironing is not necessary for products made from it. Lavsan is sensitive to acid and alkali, but resistant to organic solvents. Lavsan threads are frequently blended with other fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, to enhance their consumer-facing properties. In the manufacturing sector, it’s employed in the production of knitwear, artificial fur, tires, electrical insulators, and hoses resistant to oil and gasoline.
Other, less common varieties of narrow-purpose fibers (heat-resistant, biologically active, semiconductor, heavy-duty, etc.) exist in addition to the ones mentioned above. Hence, perlon withstands acids and alkalis better than wire and doesn’t burn like chlorine does. These characteristics are essential for producing medical undergarments, gaskets in chemical devices, and workwear made of synthetic and artificial fibers.
Although the well-known elastane is very resilient, it can fade and distort, so its pure form is not used; instead, it is combined with other materials to enhance their quality.
Sewing fire-resistant clothes is one application for synthetic fiber "Lola," which is special in that it glows at a temperature of 1200 degrees Celsius rather than burning.
We can choose fabrics more wisely if we are aware of the various kinds of synthetic and artificial fibers. Whether it’s polyester, nylon, or rayon, every fiber has special qualities that meet demands. While some fibers are recognized for their strength and durability, others provide comfort.
But not every fiber is ideal. Although synthetic fibers, such as rayon, can resemble natural materials, they might not last as long. Conversely, synthetic materials like polyester are incredibly durable but don’t always feel as nice against the skin.
In the end, the fabric’s intended use determines which fiber is best. We can choose the material that best suits our needs by balancing comfort, durability, and performance by weighing the benefits and drawbacks.
Man-made materials known as artificial and synthetic fibers are used to make textiles and apparel. Each type of fiber has distinct qualities that affect its performance, feel, and longevity. The main distinctions between these two kinds of fibers are examined in this article, along with their benefits and disadvantages. The benefits include affordability and versatility, while the disadvantages include environmental concerns and varying degrees of comfort. You can choose fabrics for various clothing needs more intelligently if you are aware of these factors.