But perhaps the pinnacle of the history of synthetics came on the afternoon of July 20th 1969, when Neil Armstrong took “One small step” in 25 layers of man-made materials and planted a flag made from nylon. … without [the inventors of synthetic fibers] you’d probably still be wet, cold and dressed in army surplus.

Gas Uncondensed vapour from top of tower. May be used as fuel on site or as liquefied fuel. Also feedstock for chemicals Naphtha Gasoline and feedstock for chemicals by cracking. Kerosine Feedstock for jet fuel, paraffin and domestic oil production Gas oil Diesel fuel and for blending fuel oil. Feedstock for chemicals by cracking. ResidueIndustrial heating. Feedstock for vacuum distillation to yield feedstock for catalytic cracking and lubricating oil. Waxes and bitumen.

First Commercial U.S. Production — Rayon 1924 — Acetate 1930 — Rubber 1936 — Glass 1939 — Nylon 1939 — Vinyon 1941 — Saran 1946 — Metallic 1949 — Modacylic 1949 — Olefin 1950 — Acrylic 1953 — Polyester 1959 — Spandex 1961 —Aramid 1983 — PBI 1983 — Sulfar 1992 — Lyocell

ester polyesters: Dacron, Fortrel, Kodel amide nylons: Antron, Viviana aramids: Kevlar, Nomex acrylonitrile acrylics: Orlon, Acrilan modacrylic: S.E.F.

Most synthetic fibers go through a similar production process which includes four steps. 1. A chemical process, usually polymerization, the formation of macromolecules through repetition of basic units forms solids. Solids are chemically converted, dissolved, or melted, turning into a thick liquid. 2. The thick liquid is passed through a spinneret, a device with hundreds of holes of a specified diameter. The extrusion is dried to a continuous filament fiber. 3. A twisting process twists the filament fiber into a yarn. The filament falls vertically from the spinneret and is caught in a large vacuum nozzle. The vacuum force keeps tension on the line as it is wound around a bobbin. 4. The twisted yarn is packaged and sent to a textile mill.

Video link made/videos/how-its-made-recycled-polyester-yarn.htm

Spinneret hole shapes and resulting fiber

Why fibres with non circular cross- section? Cotton has a bean shaped cross-section Silk has a roughly triangular cross-section. Non-circular cross-sections result in greater lusture, high covering power, improved handle, light-weight and warmth preservation, excellent capillarity and wicking properties for removing moisture… Therefore, filaments with non-circular cross-sections are desirable for achieving these special effects. The trilobal cross-section was the first departure from circular cross- section and was introduced by DuPont in USA to produce lustrous yarn and fabric.

ApplicationsAdvantagesDisadvantages Acrylic and modacrylic fibers - Unique synthetic because uneven surface Artificial wool Blankets and sweaters Resists chemical, biological, sunlight degradation Lightweight, strong, warm, soft. Not absorb water Melts in high heat Nylon Carpet Blended with spandex in athletic apparel, swimwear, and hosiery Durable, strong, resists abrasion Resists stains, mildew, bacteria Hides soil Prevents static; Wrinkle resistant Not absorb water, Dries quickly. Melts in high heat Can be uncomfortable to wear next to skin Absorbs oil and grease. Polyester - Size and shape can be adjusted for specific applications Clothing, Home furnishings Reinforce tires, belts, hoses Fiberfill in outdoor wear. Low raw material, production costs Resists abrasion Springs back to shape Not absorb water, Dries quickly. Melts in high heat Absorbs oils and grease so difficult to clean. Attracts static electricity,

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