Natural And Synthetic Fibers

Natural fibers are flat-woven rugs meaning, they have no pile and are often reversible. They’re crafted from plant-based fibers which are tightly woven to create a mat or rug. Sometimes, cotton is added for softness, but primarily they consist of the fibers from jute, bamboo, sisal, seagrass, and coir, the strands from coconuts. Traditionally used in homes’ entryways for their tough, stain-resistant materials, they work in nearly every room, depending on which you choose, and many can hold a variety of dyes for extra color.

Natural fibers include:

-Wool

-Sisal

-Maize

-Coir

-Cotton

-Jute

a. Wool - used for centuries  in the manufacturing of carpet, wool is still the standard against which other carpet fibers are judged. It is generally the most expensive carpet fiber and is commonly used in woven carpets. There are also 5 characteristics of wool from different countries; New Zealand Wool, Argentinean Wool, Indian Wool, Iraqi Wool and Scottish Wool

b. Sisal (Scratch rush) - natural product that grows like grass, it is light cream or oatmeal in color. Sisal is a strong, woody fiber produced from the leaves of the agave plant which is found in Central America, the West Indies, and Africa.

c. Maize - made from corn husks.

d. Coir (Coconut Plush)  a strong flexible hair like fiber from coconut shells. its pale yellow fibers are spun into a yarn which finally woven into either flat weave carpeting or cut pile rugs and mats.

e. Cotton - softer than wool but less durable.

f. Jute -  the softest of all natural fibers. It may fade or darken the color when exposed to sunlight, and its fiber disintegrates with prolonged exposure to moisture.

Synthetic fibers are textiles that are made from chemicals. These fibers are stronger than natural fibers.

Synthetic fibers include: 

-Polyester

-Acrylic

-Spandex

a. Nylon - it is made from polyamide fiber, derived from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid that is formed into thin strands and woven into fabric. It is a synthetic fabric that utilizes the chemical by-products of coal, petroleum and agricultural products. Synthetic polymers give nylon fabrics a low absorbency rate ideal for swimwear, stockings and athletic clothing.

b. Polyester - is a term often defined as “long-chain polymers chemically composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester and a dihydric alcohol and a terephthalic acid”. In other words, it means the linking of several esters within the fibers. Reaction of alcohol with carboxylic acid results in the formation of esters.

Polyester also refers to the various polymers in which the backbones are formed by the “esterification condensation of polyfunctional alcohols and acids”.

Polyester can also be classified as saturated and unsaturated polyesters.

Saturated polyesters refer to that family of polyesters in which the polyester backbones are saturated. They are thus not as reactive as unsaturated polyesters. They consist of low molecular weight liquids used as plasticizers and as reactants in forming urethane polymers, and linear, high molecular weight thermoplastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron and Mylar). Usual reactants for the saturated polyesters are a glycol and an acid or anhydride.

Unsaturated polyesters refer to that family of polyesters in which the backbone consists of alkyl thermosetting resins characterized by vinyl unsaturation. They are mostly used in reinforced plastics. These are the most widely used and economical family of resins.

c. Modacrylic - is a manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of less than 85% but at least 35% by weight of acrylonitrile units. (-CH2CH[CN]-)x.

A modacrylic is a synthetic copolymer. Modacrylic fiber is inherently flame resistant. Although it burns when directly exposed to flame, it doesn't melt or drip and is self-extinguishing when the flame is removed. Modacrylic is widely used in high performance protective clothing, such as firefighting turnout gear, because flame resistance is combined with other desirable textile properties such as durability and good hand feel.

Modacrylics are soft, strong, resilient, and dimensionally stable. They can be easily dyed, show good press and shape retention, and are quick to dry. They have outstanding resistance to chemicals and solvents, are not attacked by moths or mildew, and are nonallergenic. Among their uses are in apparel linings, furlike outerwear, paint-roller covers, scatter rugs, carpets, and work clothing and as hair in wigs.

d. Polypropylene - is the first stereoregular polymer to have achieved industrial importance. The fibres from Polypropylene were introduced to the textile arena in the 1970s and have become an important member of the rapidly growing family of synthetic fibres. Today Polypropylene enjoys fourth spot behind the “big three” fibre classes, i.e. polyester, nylon and acrylic. However, as opposed to other commodity fibres, its use as apparel and household textiles has been rather limited; the bulk of the fibre produced is used for industrial applications.

f.  Acetates - Brand name like Avisco, Celaire , Cromspun , Estron. Is the man-made fiber that is made of cellulose acetate, which is the acetic acid ester of cellulose

g. Azlons- Brand name like Vicara. is a synthetic textile fiber composed of protein material derived from natural sources. For example, soy, peanut, milk or corn. Currently it is used in clothing.

h. Rayons- a textile fiber or fabric made from regenerated cellulose (viscose).

i.  Sarans- trade name for a number of polymers made from vinylidene chloride (especially polyvinylidene chloride or PVDC), along with other monomers. Brand names like Rovana , Saran.

j. Trancetate - is derived from cellulose by combining cellulose with acetate from acetic acid and acetate anhydride. The cellulose acetate is dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol for spinning. Brand names like Arnel.

All of these fibers are wrinkle-resistant, they tend to pill easily and do not absorb well. There are advantages and disadvantages to synthetic fibers.  In general, the advantages of synthetic fibers are that they are durable, moth-resistant, easy to care for, cheap and abundant. Disadvantages are that they are made with petroleum, a non-renewable resource, melt easily in high temperatures and cause some people to experience allergic reactions.

BLENDS

Blending is the combining of different fibres together intimately to achieve a desired product characteristic. Blends can influence colouring, strength, softness, absorbency, ease of washing, resistance to wrinkling, ease of spinning, cost, etc.

Advantages of Blending: 

• When two different types of fibres are blended, the properties of these two different fibres are synergised. For instance, in the blend of cotton and polyester, cotton provides the absorbency and polyester provides the strength.

• Blending is done to produce a fabric, which is economical by combining the aesthetic comfort properties of the natural fibres with the easy care and strength properties of synthetic fibers.

• Blending also helps to provide the fabric’s light weight with all desirable characteristics.Improving spinning, weaving and finishing efficiency and the uniformity of product.

Methods of Blending:

Blending can be done at the opening stage, drawing etc.

1. In the initial opening stage of the blow room operation, the fibres are spread one on top of the other and fed into the blending feeder.
2. The blending can also be done in the carding stage.
3. Similarly the blending can be done at drawing or roving stage.
4. A filament yarn blended contains yarns of different deniers (denier is the yarn numbering system used for filament yarns) blended together.

Contribution:

Candy Casas - Made the blog post and added contents of synthetic fibers with photos.
Faith Taboada-  Synthetic F-J and Blends
Rhea Calape - Natural Fibers

Sources:

https://www.onekingslane.com/info/home/a-guide-to-natural-fiber-rugs/

http://www.solib.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/wool-carpets-6.jpg

http://retaildesignblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Trenzas-cotton-rug-02.jpg

https://img.tvc-mall.com/uploads/details/86020489A-2.jpg

http://www.solib.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/wool-carpets-6.jpg

http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2011/02/24/RX-DK-DIY330006_sisal-floor_s4x3_lg.jpg

https://www.dynalon.com/publicstore/catalog/Azlon-Beakers,343.aspx
http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/01/acetate-fiber-characteristics-of.html
http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/04/properties-of-rayon-fiber-physical-and.html
Nylon
https://www.reference.com/hobbies-games/nylon-fabric-ac8c150da7475df4
Nylon-photo
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTY2WDg0OQ==/z/peEAAOSwBvNTqqfS/$_32.JPG?set_id=880000500F
Polyester
http://www.whatispolyester.com/
Polyester-photo
 http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/1320244/16970321/0/1289202844/recycled_polyester_staple_fiber.jpg
Modacrylic
http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-is-modacrylic-fiber-properties-of_9408.html
Modacrylic-photo
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRGy9XEDFtA/VLph4yOJkTI/AAAAAAAAVFk/2W8gAyGW89c/s1600/Modacrylic%2Bfiber.jpg

Polypropylene
http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2013/01/polypropylene-fiber-and-its.html
Polypropylene-photo
http://en3img.allhaving.com//upload/2879/o/17_4_polypropylene_fiber_0.jpg