Manufactured Fibers They may also be called synthetic or manmade fibers.

Man-made Fibers Produced through technology, they are made from wood pulp, cotton linters, or petrochemicals. –Wood pulp – comes from trees and waste from lumber yards –Cotton Linters – comes from short fibers left remaining on the cottonseeds after the long fibers have been removed. –Petrochemicals- made from crude oil and natural gas.

Two Types of Manufactured Fibers Cellulosic Fibers –Rayon –Acetate Non-cellulosic Fibers –Acrylic –Polyester –Spandex –Nylon

Rayon Rayon was the first manufactured fiber. It became available in It is made from wood pulp (plant).

Rayon drapes easily and has a nice luster. It imitates silk.

Like cotton and linen, rayon is absorbent, comfortable, and dyes well. Like cotton and linen, rayon wrinkles and shrinks.

Some rayon fabrics are washable, but most must be dry cleaned. Check the label.

Rayon is used for blouses, shirts, and linen-like fabrics. It is often combined with other fibers.

Acetate Acetate is similar to rayon, but must be ironed at a lower temperature.

Acetate has a silky appearance.

Acetate has an attractive sheen and is popular for taffeta, brocade, satin, and velvet fabrics for evening wear. It is frequently used as lining for suits, coats, draperies, and caskets.

Acetate is dissolved by acetone.

Acetate is usually dry cleaned. Check the label.

Triacetate Triacetate is similar to acetate.

Nylon Nylon was introduced in 1939 as a “miracle fiber.” It is made from petroleum chemicals.

Nylon is strong, lightweight, and lustrous. It is resilient and does not stretch or shrink.

Nylon does not absorb moisture and can feel clammy in hot weather and cool in cold weather. It collects static electricity.

Nylon is easy to wash and dries quickly because it is not absorbent. Be sure to sort your colors because nylon is a “color scavenger” in the washing machine.

Nylon is used in lingerie, stockings, swimsuits, carpet, tents, and tires.

Polyester 1. Polyester is the most common synthetic fiber. It is made from petroleum.

Polyester has excellent resilience and wrinkle resistance. It does not shrink or stretch.

Polyester is not very absorbent, and is not very comfortable in warm weather.

Polyester attracts oil stains.

Use dish soap to degrease and get rid of polyester’s oily spots.

Polyester is often blended with cotton for easy care sheets, shirts, pants, and tablecloths.

Polyester fiberfill is used as stuffing in pillows.

Acrylic Acrylic is often substituted for wool because it is warm like wool, but it is washable and nonallergenic.

Some acrylic fabrics will pill or collect static electricity. Acrylic may hold oily stains.

Acrylic fibers are used in sweaters, carpet, blankets, and upholstery fabrics. They can be washed or dry cleaned.

Spandex Spandex fibers are elastic with excellent recovery.

Spandex is washable, but is damaged by high temperatures and chlorine.

Spandex is blended with other fibers in underwear, swimwear, and other clothing.