Schiesser Lexicon - Synthetic Man-made Fibers

SYNTHETIC MAN-MADE FIBRES

Basic materials for man-made fibers are derivatives of crude oil or coal, from which a granulate is manufactured. This granulate is molten into a yarn compound. Through the recomposing of individual molecules in long chains (polymerisation), the fiber type is determined. The very viscous yarn compound is pressed with a pump through a spinning nozzle. The escaping yarn compound solidifies and becomes continuous fiber. All man-made fibers are basically created with the same process.

Common Properties of Man-made Fibers
Wear resistant
deformation resistant
low humidity absorbance

Disadvantages:
- Heat senstive when washing and ironing
- Electrostatic charging

Man-made fibers have different properties because of different building blocks. Most of the properties are already determined in the yarn compound (eg. color) or through the spinning nozzle (surface structure). The properties can be further affected through refinement

Refinement Types:

Antistatic preparation
Water absorbancy is increased, the electric conductivity increases. No electrostatic charging, no crackling, no gluing, dirt repellent

Thermo Fixing
Threads or textures are brought in a stable position through heating. Crease-resistant, inherently stable, shrinkage-free (e.g. bra cups)

Texturize
Threads or textures are brought in a stable position through heating. Thread or warn is crinkled. Stretchable, voluminous products.