1. Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics

2. Yarns Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
Yarns are made by twisting together fibres – this is called ‘spinning’.
A fibre is a thin hair-like structure that is either short or long.
Long fibres=filament fibres
Short fibres = staple fibres

3. From Fibre to Fabric Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Garment Manufacture
Finishing
Spinning
Weaving

4. Polyester staple fibres Polyester filament fibres
Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
Synthetic fibres can be given different appearances/properties:
Polyester staple fibres
They can be made as staple or filament fibres
They can be bulked or crimped to give greater volume to the end yarn or fabric.
Synthetic fibres can also be made to encapsulate chemicals so that, for example, you can have a dishcloth that contains an antibacterial chemical
They can be given different textured finishes, such as a pile.
Polyamide and polyester fibres can also be made extremely fine - up to 60 times finer than a human hair - these are known as microfibres.
Polyester filament fibres

5. Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
All synthetic fibres are produced from petroleum based chemicals or coals. 94% of all fabrics are made from oil!
Synthetic fibres are artificial fibres; they are made from synthetic polymers, which come from oil, coal and other petrol-based chemicals (monomers).
The process of joining these monomers is known as polymerisation, and then the mixed polymers are spun (twisted) into yarns.
Polymers are very like plastic and so synthetic fibres are poor absorbers of water.
Thermoplastic
This means that the fibre can be manipulated under heat, and it will keep its shape when cold – so pleats can be put in when a fabric is hot, and they will stay there when it has cooled down.
Polyethylene
Key words: synthetic, artificial, polymerisation, thermoplastic
Polyurethane

6. Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
All synthetic fibres are produced from petroleum based chemicals or coals. 94% of all fabrics are made from oil!
Polymers are long chains of molecules which come from coal or oil.
They are melted or dissolved in solution.
The liquid is then force through tiny holes and hardened to form filament fibres.
Key words: synthetic, artificial, polymerisation, thermoplastic

7. Synthetic fibres Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Acrylic
Synthetic fibres fall into groups based on the polymer that the fibres are made from, such as the three that are most commonly used in textiles:
Acrylic
Polyamide (Nylon),
Polyester.
There are others you may be aware of such as elastane (Lycra), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (used in carpets).
Synthetic fibres, which are made in chemical plants by a range of companies across the world, are given trade names. For example, the elastane fibre produced by DuPont has the trade name Lycra and the polyamide invented by DuPont in 1938 is named Nylon.

8. Polyamide – Nylon, Tactel
Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
Polyamide – Nylon, Tactel
Strong
Hardwearing
Not biodegradable
Melts when burned
Strong when wet
Cheap
Durable
Antibacterial
Used for
Disadvantages
Clothing
Ropes
Carpets
Seat belts and sports belting
Poor Absorbancy
Can be damaged by sunlight

9. Acrylic Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for Disadvantages
Strong but weaker when wet
Shrinks from heat then burns slowly and melts
Melts when burned
Can be made warm, insulating and soft
Used for
Knitwear
Toys
Upholstery fabrics
Socks and sportswear
Disadvantages
Poor absorbency

10. Polyester Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for Disadvantages
Very strong when wet
Flame resistant
Thermoplastic
Alkali resistant
Resists stretching and shrinking
Recyclable
Used for
Wide range of textile procucts
Disadvantages
Poor absorbancy

11. Elastane - lycra Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for Disadvantages
Very elastic
Lightweight
strong
Chemical and perspiration resistant
Hardwearing
Lycra is added to other fabrics to make them stretchy, e.g.stretch jeans are 96% cotton and 4% lycra.
Used for
Swimwear, sportswear
Clothes that need extra elasticity
Disadvantages
Poor absorbancy

12. Fibre
Trade
name
Physical properties
Aesthetic
properties
Advantages
Disadvantages
Uses
Microfibre
Polyamide
Nylon
Tactel
Tactel micro
• Very strong
• Good elasticity
• Thermoplastic
• Melts as it burns
• Does not decompose (rot)
• Resistant to most alkalis and solvents, but damaged by strong acids
Can be
given many
different
finishes
and can be
made into
microfibres
• Hard wearing
and strong
• Easy to wash
• Inexpensive
• Resistant to
bacteria and
moulds
• Poor absorbency
• May be damaged
by long-lasting
exposure to
sunlight, which
can cause it
to yellow and
weaken
• Ropes
• Seat belts
• Clothing
• Carpets
Polyester
Terylene
Polyester fleece
Trevira
Finesse
Miratec
Dacron
• Very strong both when wet and dry
• Flame resistant
• Good resistance to alkalis and solvents unless very concentrated
• Damaged by acids
given a wide
variety of
finishes and
be made into
moulds and
bacteria
• Very poor
absorbency
• Most
textile uses
Elastane
Lycra
• Very elastic
• Lightweight but still strong
• Resistant to biological
damage from perspiration
• Resistant to chemicals
Medium
to coarse
filaments
• Very
stretchy and
lightweight
• Not damaged
by sun and
sea
• Swimwear
and
sportswear
Acrylic
Courtelle
Amicor
• Strong but loses strength
when wet
• Shrinks away from heat
• Burns slowly and melts
Fine to
coarse staple
fibres
Soft
• Can be made
soft and
warm
• Not very
absorbent
• Knitwear
and jersey
fabrics
• Upholstery

13. Microfibres Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for
60 times finer than human hair
Made from polyester or polyamide
Very strong
Water-repellant
Absorbant
Breathable
Very good ‘handle’ (feel)
Microfibres are very versatile, they can be woven, knitted or bonded to make fabrics. They can be woven so tightly that they stop water droplets from penetrating but allow water vapour (sweat) escape so that the fabric is water repellent and breathable. They are also expensive so they are often blended with cheaper fabrics. Microfibre based fabrics are soft, comfortable, last well and hang beautifully.
Used for
Underwear
Hosiery
Sportswear
Water- repellant outdoor wear
Cleaning cloths

14. Other fibres Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
Kevlar– very strong and used in bulletproof vests and motorbike wear.
Tactel Aquator – is a non-absorbant fibre that takes moisture away from the body
Used for...
Sports underwear
‘Dry’ socks
Nomex– very resistant to fire and so used in firefighter uniforms and racing driver overalls

15. Key facts to remember The exam: Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics
Key words:
Polymerisation
Microfibres
Polyamide
Polyester
Acrylic
Elastane (Lycra)
Key facts to remember
Synthetic fibres are artificial and made using coal and oil when chemically produced.
POLYMERISATION: the process by which two monomers are joined together to form polymers
MICROFIBRE is a fibre that is 60 times finer than a human hair.
Synthetic fibres can be made to have many properties and are versatile.
Polymers are very like plastic, so synthetic fabrics are poor absorbers of water.
Lycra is never used on its own, it is added in a small amount to a fabric to give stretch.
The exam:
You should be able to name some synthetic fibres and why a synthetic fabric has been chosen for a product. So you will need to know the PROPERTIES of the fabric.