What are Synthetic Fibers?

Plastics are used to make synthetic fabrics for clothes, curtains, sheets and carpets. Nylon, polyester and acrylic are all plastic fabrics. They are made from thermoplastics. You may wonder why it is necessary to make synthetic fabrics when there are natural ones, like cotton and wool. The answer is that natural fabrics from raw materials are expensive and in short supply.

Clothes made from synthetic fabrics have other advantages such as they do not crease much. However, they are not so comfortable to wear, or as warm, as natural fabrics. Synthetic fabrics are often mixed with natural ones to combine the advantages of both.

A Synthetic Fibre is a chain of small units of chemical substance joined together. Many such single units combine to form single unit called Polymer. Polymer means made of many units joined together.

 Types of Synthetic Fibre

       Rayon– Rayon is synthesized from wood pulp. Rayon resembles silk, so it is also known as artificial silk. Rayon can be dyed in different colours and is much cheaper than silk.

       Nylon– Nylon was first commercially synthesized fibre. Nylon is synthesized from coal, water and air. Nylon is very strong and its fabric is like silk.

       Polyester– Polyester, one of the most popular man-made fibres. It is made of repeating unit of a chemical called ester. It is widely used to make clothes.

       Acrylic– Acrylic is a man-made fibre. Acrylic is known as artificial wool or synthetic wool because it resembles wool. Acrylic is cheaper than natural wool and can be dyed in various colours. This makes acrylic is very popular among other fabrics.

Characteristics of Synthetic Fibres

       Synthetic fibres are cheaper than natural fibre.

       Synthetic fibres are stronger than natural fibre.

       Synthetic fibres are more durable than natural fibre.

       Synthetic fabrics are dried up in less time.

       Synthetic fibres are easy to maintain and wash.