Synthetic fibers are human-made materials produced through chemical processes. This lesson introduces how they differ from natural and semi-synthetic fibers, explains the role of polymers, and traces important milestones in their development.
Natural fibers come directly from natural resources, including plants, animals, and minerals. Cotton, wool, silk, and linen are examples. Synthetic fibers are made by humans through chemical synthesis rather than being directly obtained from living organisms.
All flashcards
What is a synthetic fiber?
A human-made fiber produced through chemical synthesis, rather than obtained directly from a natural source such as a plant or animal.
How are polymers and monomers related?
A polymer is a large molecule made from repeating smaller units. Each individual repeating unit is called a monomer.
What are spinnerets used for?
Spinnerets have small openings through which fiber-forming material is extruded, shaping it into strands that form fibers.
Why was Chardonnet silk eventually replaced?
Although it was an early artificial silk substitute, it was extremely flammable, so more stable materials replaced it.
Why is nylon historically significant?
Nylon is commonly identified as the first fully synthetic fiber. Nylon 66 was developed by Wallace Carothers and used in stockings and wartime products such as parachutes and ropes.
Quiz questions
What name was given to the polyester fiber patented by John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson in 1941?Answer: Terylene, also known as Dacron.
Which four synthetic fiber groups together account for about 98% of synthetic fiber production by volume?Answer: Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and polyolefin.
Which medical products are among the uses of bio-polyesters?Answer: Surgical sutures, bone-fixation devices, and vascular grafts.
Why can synthetic fibers be useful in transportation products such as airbags and safety belts?Answer: Their low weight, strength, and durability suit transportation applications.
What was the reported global production of synthetic fibers in 2014?Answer: 55.2 million tonnes.
Based on the Wikipedia article Synthetic fiber, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.