Problems Associated of Man-made Fibers and Their Methods of Rectification
Mufaddal Bagwala
Dept. of Textile Technology
Shri Vaishnav Institute of Technology and Science,
Indore (M.P.), India
Obtained AIR 3rd in GATE 2014
Email: mufaddal.bagwala.nitie@gmail.com
Man-made fibers are not a mere alternative to natural fibers but are new materials of high functionality and high performance. Manmade fibers are produced in factories, which need not be too far from textile manufacturing areas. Specific qualities of fibers can be produced deliberately and quickly in accordance with the demand. The filaments can be produced as fine or as coarse as required, staple lengths can be cut exactly to order. Fibers can be produced with high degree of lustre, with reduced or completely dull lustre, as required. Unlike natural fibers, the final product of man made fibers does not require cleaning.
Without above advantages of man-made fibers have many problems. In general, the manmade fibres are generally hydrophobic in nature; this is necessarily a disadvantage when their products have to be worn next to the skin. These fabrics fail to absorb the perspiration, thus the wearer feels discomfort in hot climate. Manmade fiber fabrics are a little difficult to sew. Seams do not hold tight as in natural fiber fabrics. Without these disadvantages, man-made fiber also problems occur during processing. In this article I have discussed some problems associated with man-made fibers and their methods of rectification.
Generation of Static Charge:
Man-made fibers (MMFs) have very high electrical resistance, due to which when they are rubbed against each other during processing in spinning machineries; a very high static charge is generated among fiber fleece which causes leakage of static charge in air and increases the possibilities of fire hazards in the spinning mill.
Also generation of static charge causes difficulty in material handling: the filaments in a charged warp will blow out away from one another; there will be “ballooning” of a bundle of slivers; cloth will not fold down neatly upon itself when it comes off a finishing machine and so on.
Remedies:
- Use of electrostatic eliminators in the Textile Industries.
- Use of proper Antistatic agents during spinning and finishing treatments of fabrics.
Low Pilling Resistance:
MMFs are having high molecular weight and proneness to static generation due to which the bailing up of fiber ends on the surface of fabrics can be easily occurred. This gives unpleasant wearing comfort and also fabric lusture decreases.
Remedies:
- Singeing of synthetic fabrics is done to reduce pilling. In this fabric is passed over a gas flame/ heated rollers to burn the protruding fibers.
Low Moisture Absorption:
MMFs have very low moisture regain due to which sweat and moisture locks between the body and the fabric giving wearing discomfort.
Remedies:
- Blending with natural fibers like cotton.
- Making fibers of Trilobal cross-section.
Low Air Permeability:
Fabrics made up from MMFs are generally of high thread sets (no. of ends/ picks per inch) due to which air permeability and breathability of fabrics decreases which gives improper feel and heat retention during wearing.
Remedies:
- Texturizing of yarns made from MMFs can increase the bulk of yarn increasing breathability of fabric.
High Lusture:
Due to more regular and circular cross-section of MMFs, the fiber reflects more light than natural fibers resulting in very high lusture of the fabric which is very unpleasant to see by others.
Remedies:
- Suitable Delustering agents like Titanium oxide (TiO2) are used during spinning of MMFs.
Rough or Harsh Feel:
Synthetic fibers may give rough/ harsh feel, causing itches (reddening of skin) and making it unsuitable for fabrics like pajamas, undergarments, etc.
Remedies:
- Use of proper Softening finishes on the fabric.
Low Resistance to Soiling:
Fabrics made form MMFs can easily attract dirt and dust form environment due to static charge generation giving a fuzzy appearance to fabric.
Remedies:
- Use of proper soil resistant finishes on the fabric.
Low Heat Retention:
Nylon is said to be cool in winter and warm in summer because fiber have low heat retention. The body heat cannot be stored between body and fabric due to absence of air pockets in the fabric.
Remedies:
- Fibers are made with hollow Cross-Section for better heat retention.
You may also like:
- Different Types of Man Made Fibers with Their Application
- Nylon: The First Synthetic Fiber
- Difference between Natural Fiber and Man Made Fiber
- Impurities of Different Natural Fibers with Percentage
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
