Synthetic fabric is the basis of textile production at the moment. Just look around: all clothes, upholstered furniture, bedding are made from synthetics! Only a few know what it is and what synthetic materials are. Below you will learn all about what is called synthetic fabric and what it comes in.
How to produce
A little terminology. The fabric is woven from fibers. But fibers can be made from natural or chemical materials.
- There are fibers made from polymers that do not exist in nature. The group includes nylon, acrylic, nylon. These are 100% synthetic or synthetic fabrics.
- The second group is fibers obtained from natural products - rubber, cellulose, wood, and less often glass. Through a complex process of distillation, artificial fibers are produced from natural ingredients. This is a group of artificial materials or fabrics. Later in the article we will talk about it.
What is made from synthetics?
It is worth noting that synthetic fibers in their pure form are rarely used to create materials. Most often they are added to natural fabrics to improve their characteristics. For example:
- non-stretchy fabrics can be made more elastic using lycra or elastane;
- polyvinyl chloride fibers are used to create artificial leather and fur;
- the high level of thermal insulation of polyolefin fibers allows them to be used to create workwear, travel equipment and other clothing;
- polyvinyl alcohol fibers are used to create tights and stockings;
- Pile fabrics and faux fur are created from polyacrylonitrile fibers;
- Polyester fibers are used to produce technical items, knitted fabrics and home clothing.
Almost all groups of clothing, shoes, and home textiles are made from synthetic fibers.
Classification
Depending on the source material used for the production of threads, artificial cuts are divided into 3 groups.
Cellulose hydrate
Fabrics of this type consist of cellulose, to the molecule of which structured water ions - hydrates - are added. The chemical composition is easy to understand from the name of the group. Manufacturers take wood, mainly coniferous species or cotton cellulose extracts, as the basis for the future canvas. Materials of this type are characterized by high hygroscopicity, that is, the ability to transmit moisture.
Cellulose acetate
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Also a type of cellulose polymer, but in this case an acetate group is added to the natural molecule. Natural material - cotton - was used as the basis for the fabric.
Depending on the number of acetate groups associated with cellulose, 2 subgroups are distinguished:
- acetate threads;
- triacetate threads.
Products made from such materials are resistant to sunlight and microorganisms. Fabrics do not shrink when washed in hot water. The situation is worse with hygroscopicity.
Protein
In the production of this type of fiber, another chemical compound is used - protein. Weaving factories use products of animal and plant origin as natural raw materials. During chemical processing, casein is released, less often zein, which are the basis of the future thread.
Finished fabrics are distinguished by their softness, the ability to retain heat and the fear of high temperatures when washing, that is, in their properties the group is close to natural wool.
Where did non-natural fabrics come from?
What do you think our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers made dresses and shirts from?
That's right - from cotton, linen, and if something warmer - then from wool. Not many people could afford silk clothes. These were times when man used only what nature provided.
But the development of humanity in all spheres moved forward, the population increased, and needs grew. Many great minds asked the question: “In what ways can we create the same threads as, for example, natural silk?”
In the 18th century, technology appeared for converting the natural polymer cellulose into an adhesive solution and then drawing thin threads from it - this is how they began to produce artificial fiber - viscose.
Polymers are substances with a huge molecular weight; their molecules contain repeating groups of atoms that have the same structure.
After the invention of viscose, scientists began to look for ways to create polymers themselves, rather than take them from nature.
And in the 30s of the twentieth century, a method was developed for the chemical synthesis of polymers from simple compounds obtained after processing oil, natural gas and coal.
Synthesis is the formation of complex compounds from simpler ones. Therefore, materials created by synthesis are called synthetic.
Polymers with a linear structure are suitable for the production of textile fibers and yarns; it is from them that long flexible threads can be obtained.
The molten polymer is filtered (1) and forced through dies (5) - caps made of anti-corrosion metal with many tiny holes. Then the melt streams are cooled in a special solution (3) or gaseous environment, and the resulting elementary threads (4) are wound onto bobbins (2).
These threads are then used in weaving factories to produce synthetic fabrics.
Due to the fact that the thread is smooth and continuous, the fabric made from it has a smooth surface with a clear weave pattern. But if continuous synthetic fibers are cut into short pieces of equal length - staples - then the fabrics made from such staple yarns become similar to wool in appearance.
What are the types
There are several classifications of artificial materials. In everyday life, it is more convenient to use the division of cuts depending on the type of product, which is sewn from a particular fabric.
Clothing
A popular group of fabrics for mass tailoring. Depending on the properties of artificial fibers, a manufacturer can produce underwear, dresses, shirts and even outerwear.
- Viscose. Products made from it are pleasant to the body, do not shrink when washed and are highly permeable to moisture. Manufacturers of global brands love to work with the material - dresses, blouses, shirts are present in every annual collection. Viscose artificial fibers for linen are indispensable when sewing bikinis, bras and swimsuits.
- Acetate silk. Bright, inexpensive styles can be found on the shelves of any clothing store. The silk substitute looks natural. In the photo, it is difficult for non-professionals to distinguish these types of fabrics from each other. The main disadvantage of a non-natural product is low hygroscopicity and shrinkage when washed in water at a temperature of more than 50 degrees.
- Knitwear. Thanks to the special weaving, the material is highly elastic. Knitwear hugs the figure, emphasizing every curve of the body. For more than 100 years, knitwear has not gone out of fashion. In everyday life, turtlenecks and dresses are comfortable, do not wrinkle, and dry quickly. The negative properties of the fabric include excessive elasticity during prolonged wear.
- Lurex. Brightness and shine distinguish this material. Evening dresses and original prints of products for everyday wear cannot be sewn without these fabrics.
- Corn is a fabric with a special weaving technique intended for sewing sportswear. The fibers are stretchy, allow moisture to pass through well and dry quickly.
Bed dress
Silk bed linen has always been considered a sign of luxury.
- A substitute for natural silk was synthesized at the beginning of the 20th century. Now people with average incomes can afford to sleep on silk sheets. Bed linen is always fresh, silky to the touch, pleasant to the body.
- The main difference between artificial fabric is less hygroscopicity. Therefore, sleeping on substitutes in rooms with high humidity is not always comfortable.
- Artificial silk should not be confused with chintz linen. Chintz is a natural cotton fabric. It is distinguished by low cost, simplicity of colors and fragility.
Curtains
Among the fabrics, satin curtain fabrics are the most popular. The products are distinguished by their durability and smooth drapery lines. The curtains are durable, easy to wash and iron, and do not fade in the sun. Decorators widely use cuts both for decorating windows in a classic style and for modern interiors.
Author:
Zakharova Nina Afanasyevna
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