Chemically derived fabrics are increasingly prevalent in our daily lives. These materials have special properties that make them useful and widely used. They are produced through a variety of industrial processes. Whether it’s a sturdy outdoor jacket, your go-to sportswear, or even furniture for your house, chemical fibers probably have a major part in these items.
Unlike cotton or wool, these fibers are not derived from natural sources. Rather, they are produced using chemical processes that provide exact control over their characteristics. This enables the creation of textiles with particular properties, like elasticity, heat retention, and water resistance.
Chemical fibers come in a variety of forms, each with a unique composition and application. While some are renowned for their softness or flexibility, others are known for their strength. Selecting fabrics for apparel, accessories, or other uses can be made easier if you are aware of the various kinds and their characteristics.
- What natural fabrics are made of?
- Composition, production, properties of chemical fabrics
- Materials from artificial fibers
- Synthetic fabrics
- Spheres of use of chemical materials
- Video on the topic
- CHEMICAL FIBERS AND THREADS, WHAT THEY ARE. PART II.
- Properties of textile materials
- Chemistry 74. Properties of artificial fibers. Acrylic – Academy of entertaining sciences
- Production of chemical fibers as a business idea
- Classification of textile fibers and threads
What natural fabrics are made of?
Natural fabrics are made without the use of synthetic or artificial materials. Natural, or natural raw materials of plant, animal, and mineral origin are used in the production of such fabrics. Cotton, flax, hemp, and jute are examples of the first; wool and natural silk are examples of the second; and asbestos, awn, and awn tissue are examples of the third.
Composition, production, properties of chemical fabrics
Artificial and synthetic fabrics are made from chemical fibers, depending on the production process. There are various definitions for these kinds of fabrics. Artificial fabrics are made from fibers obtained from natural organic (cellulose, proteins) and inorganic (metals, glass) raw materials through physical and chemical processing. Among these materials, viscose, modal, bamboo, acetate, and triacetate are the most widely used types.
Also see: who developed the Kevlar thread, from which "armored" garments are made, and what can be sewed using Kevlar?
Fibers derived from the chemical synthesis of compounds not found in nature are found in synthetic materials. Polyamide, Polyurethane, Polyvinyl Spirit, Polyester, Polyacrylonitral, and Polyolefin (Polyethylene and Polypropylene) tissue are the categories in which they are all categorized.
Materials from artificial fibers
Artificial fiber-based fabrics of today are just as good as, if not better than, materials made from natural raw materials. New varieties of artificial materials are continuously added to the collection. It is impossible to describe them all because there are so many of them. The table lists the characteristics of the most widely used chemical fiber fabrics.
| Name of artificial fabrics | Composition | Advantages | Flaws |
| Viscose | Wood pulp | Softness, drapeability, hygroscopicity, easy dyeing, air permeability, thermoregulation, availability. | Wrinkling, high pilling, flammability, loss of original qualities upon contact with water and ultraviolet, low elasticity. |
| Modal | Softness, hygroscopicity, lightness, air permeability, wear resistance, aesthetics, safety, shape, color and dirt resistance. | Expensiveness, ability to cause irritation. | |
| Bamboo | Raw material obtained from bamboo stems | Air permeability, wear resistance, hygroscopicity, thermal insulation, resistance to unpleasant odors and ultraviolet radiation, easy dyeing, softness, lightness, drapeability, environmental friendliness, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, presence of a healing effect, ease of care, aesthetics, shape stability, low wrinkle resistance, antistatic. | High cost. |
| Acetate | Acetyl cellulose | Dimensional stability, elasticity, thermal insulation, resistance to bacterial damage, dries quickly, moisture resistance, easy care, dirt resistance, drape, easy dyeing, low wrinkling. | Low wear resistance, electrification, low hygroscopicity, loss of original qualities when in contact with chemicals and ultraviolet radiation. |
| Triacetate | Resistance to dirt, ultraviolet radiation and bacterial damage, drape, hypoallergenic, elasticity, wear resistance, dimensional stability, availability. | Low hygroscopicity, poor thermoregulation, air impermeability, electrification, loss of original properties when exposed to chemicals. |
Synthetic fabrics
Both pure synthetic fibers and blends with natural fibers are employed, which can greatly enhance the latter’s functionality. The properties of synthetic materials vary depending on the raw material. The following table provides details on the characteristics and makeup of these fabrics:
| Groups of synthetic fabrics | Composition | Names of materials | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Polyamide | Compounds containing the amide group CONH | Nylon, capron, silon | High strength, dimensional stability, lightness, resistance to damage by pathogenic microorganisms, ability to dry quickly. | Low heat resistance, hygroscopicity and ability to retain heat, tendency to yellowing when in contact with sweat and ultraviolet light, electrification. |
| Polyurethane | Polyurethane rubber | Spandex, lycra, neolan | Stretchability, resistance to abrasion, ultraviolet rays and chemicals, wrinkle resistance, color fastness. | Low heat resistance and hygroscopicity, air impermeability. |
| Polyvinyl alcohol | Polyvinyl alcohol solutions | Vinol, kuralon, mtilan | Durability, resistance to abrasion, ultraviolet radiation and bacterial damage, low thermal and electrical conductivity, non-flammability, availability, hygroscopicity, low pilling, aesthetics. | Low dirt resistance, risk of shrinkage and loss of strength during wetting, low resistance to the action of chemicals. |
| Polyester | Melt of polyethyleneterftalate and its derivatives | Dacron, Tesil, Lavsan, Diolen | Wear resistance, color, moisture and shape resistance, resistance to unpleasant odors, the action of chemical solutions and bacteria damage, low pillings, dust and dirt resistance, lightness, ability to quickly dry, inconsistency, accessibility, simplicity of care. | Air permeability, stiffness, electrification, risk of skin irritation. |
| Polyacrylonitric | Acrylic | Nitron, acrylan | Resistance to ultraviolet, heat and moisture resistance, shape and color resistance, strength, softness, ability to dry quickly, resistance to diseases of pathogens and the effects of acids, alkalis, gasoline, acetone. | Rigidity, low hygroscopicity, air permeability, rapid abrasion, electrizability, pillings. |
| Polyolefin | Polyethylene, polypropylene | Spectra, dyneema, tekmilon | Strength, wear resistance, resistance to damage by pathogenic microorganisms, moisture resistance, lightness, thermal insulation. | Lack of fire-resistant qualities, shrinkage when washing. |
Chemically created synthetic materials include polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are used to make fabrics. Because they are durable, wrinkle-resistant, and quick to dry, these non-natural fabrics are popular choices for sportswear, home textiles, and everyday wear. They can mimic natural fibers, but they also have special qualities like being lightweight and low maintenance, which makes them well-liked across many different industries.
Spheres of use of chemical materials
Where are these materials utilized? Chemical fiber fabrics’ characteristics enable their use in the production of:
- lightweight and outerwear;
- underwear;
- children"s clothes;
- workwear;
- sportswear;
- footwear;
- home textiles;
- hosiery;
- headwear;
- trampolines, gymnastics mats and wrestling flooring;
- camping clothes;
- fishing equipment;
- mattresses for swimming pools;
- inflatable watercraft;
- awnings, tents and other frame structures;
- banners and banners;
- stretch ceilings.
| Fabric | Composition, Types, and Uses |
| Polyester | Made from synthetic polymers. Durable, wrinkle-resistant, used in clothing, home textiles, and outdoor gear. |
| Nylon | Created from synthetic polyamides. Strong, elastic, used in sportswear, hosiery, and activewear. |
| Rayon | Made from regenerated cellulose fibers. Soft, breathable, often used in dresses, blouses, and home furnishings. |
| Acrylic | Produced from polyacrylonitrile. Lightweight, warm, commonly used in sweaters, blankets, and outdoor clothing. |
| Spandex | Composed of polyurethane. Extremely stretchy, used in sportswear, undergarments, and compression garments. |
Chemical fiber fabrics are becoming more and more important in the modern textile industry. These materials, which are frequently made from petroleum-based sources, have a variety of qualities that meet demands in home textiles, apparel, and even industrial applications.
The three most popular kinds of synthetic fabrics are acrylic, nylon, and polyester. Each of these materials has a distinct set of properties, such as flexibility, strength, and moisture and wrinkle resistance. This renders them exceedingly adaptable and well-liked for everything from casual attire to specialty sports equipment.
Although synthetic materials frequently offer useful advantages, they are not without limitations. For instance, some of them may irritate the skin, and they might not be as breathable as natural fibers. Chemical fibers have disadvantages, but their affordability and robustness guarantee that they will remain a mainstay in the textile business.
