Synthetic fiber

Synthetic fibers dress
MFA# 1998.37

Description

MFA Acc. #: L-R 27.2008

Fibers manufactured from substances that have been produced or modified by chemical reactions. Artificial fibers were first made in 1842 when molten glass was formed into filaments. By the late 1880s, man-made fabrics were being made from Cellulose nitrate and Rayon fibers. Current examples include: Acetate, Acrylic, Alginic, Anidex, Aramid, Azlon, Casein, Cupro, Nylon, Novoloid, Nytril, Modacrylic, Modal, Olefin, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Saran, Spandex, Sulfar, Triacetate, Vinal, and Vinyon.

MFA Acc. #: L-SE 1071.5.1

Properties of Synthetic Fibers (Part 1)

Fiber	Composition	Development date	Common trade name	Density		Denier (g/9000m)	Tenacity (g/denier)	Elongation at break (%)		Initial modulus	Moisture regain (%)
acetate	cellulose triacetate	1919	Celanese; Arnel; Tenite	1.25-1.35			1.1-1.4 (dry); 0.65- 0.75 wet)	25-35 (dry); 35-45 (wet)		35-40	6.5
acrylic	>85% acrylonitrile	1950	Acrilan, Creslan, Courtelle, Orlon	1.16-1.18		2-8	2-3.6 (dry)	20-55		25-63	1.0-3.0
aramid (meta)	poly-m-phenylene terephthalamide		Nomex, Conex	1.38		2-5	3-6	2-30		130-150	3.5
aramid (para)	poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide	1965	Kevlar	1.44		1.0-1.5	25-30	3-6		500- 1000	7.0
azlon	protein	1930s	Aralac, Ardil, Lanital	1.25-1.3			0.9-1.1 (dry); 0.3- 0.6 (wet)	60-70			14
modacrylic	35-85% acrylonitrile	1949	Dynel; Verel, SEF	1.35-1.37		2-8	1.8-2.5 (dry); 1.7- 2.4 (wet)	35-48		25-56	0.4-4.0
nylon 6	polycaprolactam	1939	Perlon; Kapron, Power silk	1.14		1.5-5	3.8-8.3 (dry); 3.5- 7.1 (wet)	16-50 (dry); 19-55 (wet)		25-35	3.5-5.0
nylon 6,6	polyhexamethylene adipamide	1935	Fiber 66; Antron; Stainmaster	1.14		1.5-5	4.6-9.0 (dry); 4.0- 7.7 (wet)	19-40% (dry); 32- 46% (wet)		33-46	3.8-4.5
nytril	>85% vinylidene dintrile	1955; discontinued in 1970s	Darvan	1.18			2.0 (dry); 1.7 (wet)	30			2-3
polyester	polyester terephthalate	1941	Dacron, Terylene; Hollytex			1.5-5	2.2-9.5	10-50		25-50	0.1-0.4
polyethylene	high density polyethylene	1954	Tyvek; Reevon	0.95-0.96		2-10	5.0-8.0	14-20			<0.1
polypropylene	polypropylene	1957	Herculon, Marvess	0.85-0.94		2-10	3.5-9.0	15-35		29-45	<0.1
polyurethane	>85%polyurethane	1958	spandex, Lycra	1.20-1.25		2.5-20	0.5-1.5	500-700			0.3-1.2
polyvinyl chloride	>85% vinyl chloride units		vinyon; Evilon, Thermovyl	1.38-1.40			2.7-3.0 (wet or dry)	12-20			0
rayon (cupro)	regenerated cellulose	1890	Cuprama; Cupresa	1.54		2-3	1.7-2.3 (dry); 1.1- 1.135 (wet)	10-17 (dry); 17-23 (wet)			11-12.5
rayon (viscose)	regenerated cellulose	1892	Avtex	1.46-1.54		2-3	2.0-2.6 (wdry); 1.0- 1.5 (wet)	13-15 (dry); 20-40 (wet)			11-16.6
vinal	>50% vinyl alcohol units	1924	Synthofil; Vinylon	1.26-1.30			3.0 -8.5 (dry); 3.2- 7.6 (wet)	9-26 (dry); 10-27 (wet)			3.0-9.0

Properties of Synthetic Fibers (Part 2)

Fiber	Degradation		Dyes used		Microscopic characteristics			Applications
acetate	Degrades in acids and concentrated alkalis		disperse		irregular cross section with multiple lobes; lengthwise striations			coats, suits, linings, cigarette filters
acrylic	Susceptible to heat; accumulates static charge		basic, disperse, pigment		variable cross section			subsitute for wool in coats, sweaters, hosiery, blankets, filters
aramid (meta)	Degraded by acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents and UV light				fiber is smooth; cross section is dogbone			filter bags for hot stack gases, flame-resistant clothing
aramid (para)	Degraded by acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents and UV light				fiber is smooth, cross section is circular			radial tires belts, bulletproof vests, resin reinforcements
azlon	Degraded by alkalis; weak when wet; susceptible to microbiological growths				diameter=20-30 microns, cross section is circular or bean-shaped, filament is smooth			silk substitute
modacrylic	Resistant to alkalis and acids							flame-resistant clothing, artificial fur, children's sleepwear, tents
nylon 6	Degraded by concentrated acids and phenol; resistant to alkalis and most organic solvents		acid, disperse, mordant, pigment, reactive		fiber is smooth, cross section is circular			hosiery, lingerie, sports garments, upholstery
nylon 6,6	Degraded by concentrated acids and phenol; resistant to alkalis and most organic solvents		acid, disperse, mordant, pigment, reactive		fiber is smooth, cross section is circular or trilobal			tires, ropes, seat belts, parachutes, fishing lines and nets; surgical sutures; brushes
nytril	Resistant to sunlight, oxidation and insects.				opaque, white with flattened or hook-shaped cross section			sweaters, pile fabrics, in wool blends
polyester	Degrades in strong acids, strong alkalis and creson.		disperse, pigment		smooth fibers; cross section may be circular, trilobal or polygon			permanent press clothing, fiberfill, carpets, sewing thread, seat belts, yarns, nonwoven fabrics
polyethylene	Resistant to acids, alkalis and bleaches; dissolves in dry-cleaning solvents, degrades slowly in sunlight		basic, disperse pigments		cross section is circular or elliptical			cordage, webbing; upholstery, outdoor applications
polypropylene	Resistant to strong acids and alkalis; resistant to biodeterioration		basic, disperse pigments		cross section is circular or elliptical			upholstery, carpets, ropes, nets, disposable nonwoven fabrics
polyurethane	Chlorine causes slow degradation		acid, disperse, reactive, vat					elastomeric fabrics; swimwere; althletic clothes
polyvinyl chloride	Soluble in chlorinated and aromatic solvents; degrades with heat and light		basic, disperse, pigment		irregular cross section			elastomeric fabrics; outdoor fabrics (tents, awnings, rain gear etc)
rayon (cupro)	Degrades in strong alkalis, acids and undiluted bleaches. Resistant to dry cleaning solvents				circular cross section with no striations			sheer fabrics and netting; lightbulb filaments
rayon (viscose)	Degrades in strong alkalis, acids and undiluted bleaches. Resistant to dry cleaning solvents		direct		lengthwise striations; early samples have circular cross sections with serrations, later samples may be dog-boned or trilobal			rugs, cotton substitute, nonwoven fabrics, paper (cellophane)
vinal	Resistant to microorganisms, insects, and most chemicals.				fibers are smooth; cross section is round, ben-shaped or u-shaped			raincoats, jackets, umbrellas, tarps, fishnets, awnings.

Fiber Burn Tests

Fiber	Appearance	Odor	Residue
Natural fibers
Cotton	Burns very fast with a bright yellow flame, similar to paper	burnt paper	burnt ends look bushy
Linen	Burns very fast with a bright yellow flame, similar to paper	burnt paper	burnt ends appear melted together
Silk	Burns and bubbles faster than wool with a yellow flame	burnt hair (mild)	black, brittle, spherical beads
Weighted silk	Does not burn; the fabric will char	burnt hair (faint)	fabric retains shape
Wool	Burns slowly; bubbles while burning; easy to put out flame	burnt hair (strong)	black, brittle, irregular beads
Synthetic fibers
Acrylic	Burns readily with smoky flame	acidic	hard ash
Aramid	Does not burn
Cellulose acetate	Burns fast with a yellow flame; may melt and sputter	burnt paper	hard, black beads; similar to silk
Modacrylic	Self-extinguishing
Nylon	Melts first, then ignites and burns rapidly.	burnt plastic
Polyester	Difficult to ignite, self-extinguishing. Burns with shiny, yellow-orange, sooty flame.	sweet	hard ash
Polyethylene	Burns with a heavy, sooty, waxy smoke. Softens at 120 C.
Polypropylene	Burns with a heavy, sooty, waxy smoke.
Polyurethane	Burns with bright flame and minimal smoke
Polyvinyl chloride	Burns with green smoky flame, self- extinguishing.	acidic; releases hydrochloric acid
Rayon (regenerated cellulose)	Burns very fast with a bright yellow flame, similar to paper	burnt paper	light, white ash
Vinal	Does not burn

Synonyms and Related Terms

synthetic fibers; man-made fiber; manmade fiber; man-made fibre; fibras sintéticas(Esp.)

For easy printing and to download

Properties of Synthetic Fibers

Fiber Burn Tests

Resources and Citations

• Wikipedia: Synthetic fiber Accessed Oct. 2024
• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
• Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
• Marjory L. Joseph, Introductory Textile Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Fort Worth, TX, 1986
• J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:II Man-made Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co. , Durham, England
• Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988
• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
• Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996