Fiber

– hair-like materials, either natural or synthetic, that form the basic element of
fabric and other textiles.

– typically semicrystalline polymers that can be spun into long strands that
have high strength-to-weight ratios for textiles as well as composite
applications
Natural fibers are defined as substances produced by plants and animals that
can be spun into filament, thread or rope and further be woven, knitted, matted
or bound.
Examples of Natural Fiber

– Cotton is the worlds’ leading textile fiber

– Wool fiber is a renewable source from animals, representing 2 percent

of world fiber production

– Silk is the strongest of all natural fibers and tends to hold its shape well

Synthetic Fiber

– synthetic fibers are made from synthesized polymers of small molecules.

– synthetic fibers account for about half of all fiber usage, with applications in
every field of fiber and textile technology
Examples of Synthetic Fiber

– Nylon, polyester and acrylic are long chain polymers.

– Spandex, can stretch 300 to 400 percent without breaking and return
to its original length.

– Rayon, the first man-made fiber is composed of regenerated cellulose.

Fiber Processing
• Wet spinning is the oldest process. It is used for fiber-forming
substances that have been dissolved in a solvent. The spinnerets are
submerged in a chemical bath and as the filaments emerge they
precipitate from solution and solidify. Because the solution is extruded
directly into the precipitating liquid, this process for making fibers is
called wet
spinning. Acrylic, rayon, aramid, modacrylic and spandex can be
produced by this process.

• Dry spinning is also used for fiber-forming substances in solution.

However, instead of precipitating the polymer by dilution or chemical
 reaction, solidification is achieved by evaporating the solvent in a
stream of air or inert gas.The filaments do not come in contact with a
precipitating liquid, eliminating the need for drying and easing solvent
recovery. This process may be used for the production
of acetate, triacetate, acrylic, modacrylic, spandex, and vinyon.

• In melt spinning, the fiber-forming substance is melted for extrusion

through the spinneret and then directly solidified by
cooling. Nylon, olefin, polyester, saran and sulfar are produced in this
manner. Melt spun fibers can be extruded from the spinneret in
different cross-sectional shapes (round, trilobal, pentagonal, octagonal,
and others). Trilobal-shaped fibers reflect more light and give an
attractive sparkle to textiles. Pentagonal-shaped and hollow fibers,
when used in carpet, show less soil and dirt. Octagonal-shaped fibers
offer glitter-free effects. Hollow fibers trap air, creating insulation and
provide loft characteristics equal to, or better than, down.
• Electrospinning is a fiber production method which uses electric force
to draw charge threads of polymer solutions or polymer melts.

  MELT SPINNING DRY SPINNING WET SPINNING

Production fiber filament and staple only filament filament and staple
type

productivity high high low

investment cost low high low

solvent not required volatile organic both organic and

solvent inorganic solvent

environmental non-toxic toxic toxic

hazard
heat of spinning high very high low

spinning speed 2500-3000 ft/min 2500-3000 ft/min 150-300 ft/min

spinnerettes 2000 300-900 20000-75000

hole
examples/uses used for the used in the used in the
production of production of acetate, production of
polyester, nylon, triacetate, and some aramid, lyocell,
olefins,glass and acrylic, modacrylic, PVC, viscose rayon,
glass fibers spandex, vinyon spandex, acrylic
fibers and modacrylic
fiber
FIBER MODIFICATIONS: ADDITIVES

delustering: titanium oxide—a white pigment—is added to spinning solution

before fiber is extruded; particles of pigment absorb light…weakens fiber

solution dyeing: addition of colored pigments or dyes to spinning solution;

provides color permanence; cost more per pound than other fibers

whiteners & brighteners: added to spinning solution to make fibers look whiter &
resist yellowing; reflect more blue light & masks yellowing
antistatic fibers: fiber is made wettable by adding an antistatic compound to the
fiber-polymer raw material
sunlight-resistant fibers: nitrogenous compounds added to dope to stabilize
reaction between UV light and fiber or dye; carefully selected for specific fiber-dye
combination
flame-resistant fibers: produced by changing polymer structure or by adding
flame-retardant compounds to spinning solution