Technical Textile Fibers

Basic information about Technical Textile fibers by Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Mangat www.mushtaqmangat.org Nov 26, 2012

Lecture 2 Technical Textile Fibers

Following fibers will be discussed: 1. Conventional and Regenerated fibers 2. Synthetic fibers 3. High strength and high modulus organic fires 4. High chemical- and combustion-resistant organic fibers 5. High performance inorganic fibers 6. Ultra-fine and novelty fibers 7. Civil and agricultural engineering 8. Automotive and aeronautics 9. Medical and hygiene applications 10. Protection and defense
19/11/12 Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Mangat

Use of natural fibers as technical fibers

Egyptians and Chinese used papyrus mats in foundation for reinforcement of buildings In recent past, synthetic fibers were used in floods in 1953 in Netherlands, it could be seen as start of geotextile Cotton bales in foundation for earthquake protection Silk used for military clothing, due to light weight and for protection from arrows. Commonly used by Mongolian armies, Silk as wound dressing was very common by Chinese and Egyptian [1]

Jute for soil stabilization

Cotton

Cotton Characteristics

Moderate uniformity, tapper shape, 18-20 m diameter, 2.2 cm to 3.3 cm lenght , good luster, Tenacity dry 3.05.0 g/d and wet 3.36.0 g/d Density 1.541.56 g/cm (1540-1560 Kgm-3) Moisture absorption, raw cotton 8.5, saturation 15-25%, mercerized 8.5-10.3% , saturation 15-27+ Poor resistance to acids, strong resistance to alkalis and solvents, prolonged exposure to sunlight weakens fibers, can be attacked by insects [2]

Wool

Wool, a protein fiber, consumption second to cotton High extensible, natural waviness, trap air, low thermal conductivity, high thermal resistance, gives comfort and warmth Due to morphology of wool, some technical fibers have been produced Wool is comparatively fire retardant Zirconium-and titanium-treated wool has much higher for example Zirpro (IWS) wool used for fire proof padding in aero planes [1]

Wool Parameters

Ultra fine <15.5, Superfine Merino 15.618.5, Fine Merino, 18.620 , Medium Merino 20.123 m microns[3]

Coarse crossbred: 36> microns, Carpet wools: 3545

Flax, Jute, Hemp, Ramie

Not very common under use Jute is used in geotextile, where biodegradable fibers

are required

Protein-based fiber produced naturally by the silkworm, Structurally similar to wool High tenacity, high luster and good dimensional stability. Used as luxury item, Biocompatibility and gradual disintegration an advantage in in medical textiles [1]

Silk

Regenerated Fibers

Viscose rayon was regenerated fibers in the early 1920s. Has inferior physical properties Improved shape has better tenacity in wet and dry conditions Textured and hollow viscose fibers are comparable to cotton

organophosphorous compounds

In 1990s Kemira (now Sateri Fibres) of Finland introduced alternative version of FR viscose known as Visil. The fiber chars upon heating leaving a silica residue. Latest addition is Lyocell also known as Tencel (Acordis) environmentally friendly production method [1].

Fire-retardant (FR) viscose introduced in the 1960s. For example produced by Lenzing in Austria by incorporating

Viscose

Synthetic Fibers

Made from coal or oil. Nylon 6.6 first fiber in 1939 by DuPont Many nylon fibers known as polyamides produced by using melt extrusion, many cross-sectional shapes are possible High extensibility, significant recovery, more dimensional stability, low moisture

Used in carpets, clothing, curtain, packaging

Polyester (PET)

Introduced as Dacron by DuPont in 1951. Now second major fiber

Made by condensation polymerization of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid followed Durability and compatibility with cotton in blend, low moisture absorbency, resilience and good dimensional stability are additional qualities.

Glass transition temperature is approximately 70 C, resistance to heat and chemical degradation, good for Technical Textile Flame-retardant Trevira CS and Trevira high tenacity, developed by Trevira GmbH in Germany

Acrylic

Polyacrylic fibers produced by the polymerization of acrylonitrile Orlon14 was produced by DuPont. Acrilan15 produced by Monsanto and Courtelle, Wool-like characteristics. Chemically modified acrylics has low burning behavior and having high absorbency, applicable in hygiene and medical care

Polyethylene and Polypropylene

PE moderate physical properties, low melting temperature,

110 C for low density and 140 C for high density

PP high strength, low melting point, difficult to do iron

press, singeing is not possible

Density less than water, available at low cost, good resistance

to acid and alkaline environments

PP is most popular in industrial geotextile applications.

PE and PP

Spandex Yarn

Polyurethane structure, can stretch more than 8 times Rubber-like properties, Used in combination with other fibers Produced by DuPont in 1959 (Lycra). Expensive fiber, used in fabric

formation, during knitting, yarn is also produced by twisting with spandex yarn

High Strength And High Modulus Organic Fibers

Development of long chains of molecules, which form

folded-chain crystals is start of high strength fibers

In 1970s DSM developed gel spinning, high tensile strength fibers were produced e.g. 70GNm-2, 15 times stronger than steel and twice as strong as aromatic polyamides such as Kevlar, low density, chemically inert, high abrasion resistant melting at around 150 C and thermally degrades at 350 C [1]

Conti

In 1970 Kevlar by DuPont and Twaron by Akzo (now Acordis) were produced New developments like, Kevlar HT 20% tenacity than Kevlar, Kevlar HM has 40% higher modulus than the original Kevlar 29 One common issue photo degradation

High Chemical- And Combustion-resistant Organic Fibers

Meta-aramids are Solvent-spun e.g. Nomex and Conex

made from poly(meta-phenylene isophthalamide)

DuPont produced in in 1962 and by Teijin in 1972

Meta -aramids creates a zig-zag molecular structure, it has poor tensile properties, high combustion resistance,

High Performance Inorganic Fibers

Organic fibers can withstand only up to 500C

Glass, asbestos and carbon inorganic fibers, can bear high temperature, bitter in nature, under use from centuries, best use is in by mixing with other materials, plastic sheets one example made by using glass fiber and polymers High purity, pyrolysed acrylic-based fibers are classified as carbon fibers.

Ceramic Fibers

Aluminosilicate compounds, which are made by mixing aluminium oxide (Al2 O) and silicon oxide (SiO2 ). They can bear 1400C, main use is insulation, friction materials, gaskets and packing etc. [1] Silicon carbide (SiC) can withstand in oxidizing conditions up to 1800 C, has higher electrical conductivity.

Ultra-fine And Novelty Fibers

Ultra fine fibers have 1.0 dtex or less Linear density of extra-fine and microfine is less than 0.1 dtex Commonly PET and Nylon are used First made in Japan e.g. Mitrelle, Setila, Micrell, Tactel Once in woven fabric form their fine diameter and tight weave allows

Up to 30000 filaments cm-2, highly dense, water proof but air and moisture vapor can pass [1]

Conti
Solar-Aloha, developed by Descente and Unitika in Japan

can absorb light less than 2m

It converts sunlight into heat, winter sports clothing is made

by using this material

Heat sensitive dyes are also used to indicate heat variation

Cripy 65 keeps fragrance and release slowly, used for Pillows and bed linen [1]

Stress and Strain [1]

[1]

Civil And Agricultural Engineering

Flax, jute and ramie is used for slope stabilization to control soil erosion. They gradually degraded and become part of soil Following are generally used: polypropylene polyester polyethylene polyvinyl chloride polyamide aramids.

[1]

Tensile Strength of fibers

Tensile strength is force per unit area Pa [Nm-2], also

denoted psi (pounds per square inch), In case of fiber, area is so small,
used cN/tex

Tenacity Values [4]

Conversion: Grams-force/Denier (G/D) -> x 8.830 centiNewton/tex (cN/tex) centiNewton/tex (cN/tex)-> x 0.1132 Grams-force/Denier (G/D) Tenacity of PP is 6-8 G/D or 50-65 cN/Tex

Stress-Strain Curve
Stress vs. strain curve typical of structural steel, 1. Ultimate strength, 2. Yield strength, 3. Fracture, 4. Strain hardening region, 5. Necking region

Future Fibers
Nano fibers Commercial production

has been started

Use in the filed of

membrane

Activity
Write 8-10 pages on Technical Textile fibers and their

usage in industry

References
[1] Miraftab, M., Technical Fibres, in Handbook of Technical Textiles A.R. Horrocks, Anand, S. C., Editor 2000, Woodhead Publishing Ltd Cambridge. [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton [3] Preparation of Australian Wool Clips, Code of Practice 20102012, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010 [4] http://www.rieter.com/cz/rikipedia/articles/rotor-spinning/applications-engineering/fiber-properties/fibertenacity-and-fiber-elongation/