Fibers are elongated thick-walled cells with pointed ends and cellulose is present in its cell walls. It may or may not contain lignin. In the environment, apart from three natural sources(plant fiber, animal fiber, mineral fiber), fiber can be synthesized chemically from different kinds of materials and these types of fibers are named Synthetic fiber. Nylon, terylene, and rayon are different kinds of synthetic fibers. Other types of fibers include artificial silk or alginate yarn that are regenerated from carbohydrates and materials. There are also some fibers that are regenerated from the protein and bridal regenerated from groundnut protein.
What are the Types of Synthetic Fibre
There are different types of synthetic fibers, these are
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Polyester
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Acrylic
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Rayon
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Nylon
Polyester
Polyester= Poly+ester
It is a category of polymer which contains an ester group in their main chain. The term polyester is used in specifying the material which is known as PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).
Properties of Polyester
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As Polyester is a category of polymer, it is very strong
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Polyester is very resistant to shrinkage and it is very resistant to chemicals also.
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Polyester is very durable.
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As polyester is hydrophobic in nature, it gets dry quickly.
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As polyester is very strong, it retains its shape.
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It is easily washable.
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Uses
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Polyester suits are made from Polyester.
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It is used to make Industrial rope.
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It is used to make pet bottles.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber made from polyacrylonitrile named polymer. Character-wise, Acrylic fiber resembles wool. It is also known as Polyacrylonitrile. This fabric is considered a fossil fuel based-fiber because it is produced by reacting to a variety of monomers with specific coal or petroleum-based chemicals.
Properties of Acrylic
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These types of synthetic fibers are flexible and soft.
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Acrylic fibers are warm and light.
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It is very much resistant to chemicals and moths or any other insects.
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Instead of wool, it is used because these types of synthetic fibers give a wool-like feel.
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Uses
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It is used in making a blanket, Shawls, Jacket, etc.
Rayon Synthetic
Rayon is an important synthetic fiber which is known as viscose-rayon regenerated cellulose.
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Properties of Rayon
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Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber.
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This type of synthetic fiber is a versatile fiber.
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It can be dried easily.
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These types of synthetic fibers do not insulate body heat. Thus, it is used in hot and humid climates.
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These types of fibers are soft enough and it is comfortable and highly absorbent.
Uses
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It is mainly used for making fabric.
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It is used for the preparation of surgical dressing and viscose-rayon absorbent wool.
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Rayon is used in making cheap garments that have low prices.
Nylon
Nylon is an important type of Synthetic fibers. It is a polymer of adipic acid hexamethylenediamine. There is another synthetic fiber Terylene which is distinguished from nylon. These were terylene retains its structure on boiling with phosphoric acid.
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Properties of Nylon
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It is a polyamide
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These fibers are highly lustrous to dull, white, or colored.
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It is soluble in hydrochloric acid and it is insoluble in acetone
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It can be dried easily.
Uses
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It is used for filter cloths.
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These types of synthetic fibers are used for sieves.
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It is used as non-absorbable sutures.
Difference between Natural Fibres and Synthetic Fibres
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Natural Fibres |
Synthetic Fibres |
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These types of fibers are composed of natural sources. |
Synthetic fibers are man-made fiber. |
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Natural fibers are divided into three parts ( Plant fibers, Animal fibers, and Mineral fibers) |
Synthetic fibers are divided into four parts (Nylon, Acrylic, Rayon, Polyester) |
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Natural fibers are less durable than synthetic fibers. |
Synthetic fibers are more durable as compared to natural fiber. |
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It is environmentally friendly. |
Some fibers are harmful to nature. |
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No chemical products or substances are needed for processing these natural fibers. |
Various kinds of chemical substances or products are required for the processing of synthetic fibers. |
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No spinning process is required for filament production. |
Melting, wet, drying process is used for filament production |
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In natural fibers, the properties are so difficult to change. |
In synthetic fibers, properties can be adjusted to suit the final application. |
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Example- Jute, flax, cotton, silk, wool |
Example- Nylon, Orlon, terylene |
Learning the Types of Synthetic Fibres with Properties and Uses
There are several types of synthetic fibres that you must know about. By learning about the types of synthetic fibres with properties and uses, you can understand the difference between these fibres and natural fibres. Not only this, but it will also help you differentiate between synthetic fibres and other man-made fibres. In this topic, you will get to learn the properties of different types of synthetic fibres and how they are used for various purposes. If you want to start learning the concept of synthetic fibres, you can follow the tips mentioned below.
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When you start learning about the types of synthetic fibres, you should have a clear understanding of what synthetic fibres are.
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Learn the types of synthetic fibres along with their properties and uses that will help you differentiate between these fibres.
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Not only synthetic fibres, but you should also learn about natural and other man-made fibres to understand the difference between all these different kinds of fabrics.
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Use your textbook to read the detailed explanations and definitions of the types of synthetic fibres to get an idea of what these fibres are and how they are different from other fibres.
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To learn more about the types of synthetic fibers with properties and uses, you can use ’s e-learning platform that provides you with the best study materials to help you study and secure an excellent score in the exams.
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Once you have completely understood the types of synthetic fibers with properties and uses, you should start practicing with questions given in your textbooks, reference books, previous year question papers, and sample papers to test your knowledge and check whether you need more preparation or not.
Why is it Important to learn the Types of Synthetic Fibres with Properties and Uses?
Since synthetic fibers are an essential part of our life, it is important to learn about the different types of synthetic fibers with properties and uses. Not only synthetic fibers, but you should even learn the different kinds of natural and manmade fibres too. By learning the types of synthetic fibres with properties and uses, you can understand the importance of synthetic fibres in our lives. Below are some more reasons why you should learn types of synthetic fibres with properties and uses.
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Since there are several types of synthetic fibres, having different properties and uses, it is better to know about each type to understand the difference between them.
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Learning about synthetic fibers will not only enhance your knowledge of fibers but will also help you score well in the exam.
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If you know about the types of synthetic fibers with properties and uses, you will be able to differentiate between natural and synthetic fibers.
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Learning the types of synthetic fibers with properties and uses will also help you understand why these fibers are important and how they are used in our daily lives.
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With this topic, you can also explore the process of production of different types of synthetic fibers.