Olefin fiber
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Categories: Articles to be expanded since January 2007 | All articles to be expanded | Synthetic fibers
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Olefin fiber is a synthetic fiber made from alkenes. It is used in the manufacture of various textiles as well as clothing, upholstery, wallpaper, ropes, and vehicle interiors. Olefin is also referred to as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyolefin. Olefin's advantages are its strength, colorfastness, comfort, stain, mildew, abrasion and sunlight resistance, and good bulk and cover. [1]
HistoryItaly began production of olefin fibers in 1957. The chemist Giulio Natta successfully formulated olefin suitable for more textile applications. U.S. production of olefin fibers began in 1960. Olefin fibers account for 16% of all manufactured fibers.[2]
Major fiber propertiesOlefin fibers have great bulk and cover while having low specific gravity. This means “warmth without the weight.”[1] The fibers have low moisture absorption, but they can wick moisture and dry quickly.[2] Olefin is abrasion, stain, sunlight, and chemical resistant. It does not dye well, but has the advantage of being colorfast. Since Olefin has a low melting point, textiles can be thermally bonded. The fibers have the lowest static of all manufactured fibers and a medium luster. One of the most important properties of olefin is its strength. It keeps its strength in wet or dry conditions and is very resilient. The fiber can be produced for strength of different properties. Production methodThe Federal Trade Commission's official definition of olefin fiber is “A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units”[3] Polymerization of propylene and ethylene gases, controlled with special catalysts, creates olefin fibers. Dye is added directly to the polymer before melt spinning is applied. Additives, polymer variations and different process conditions can create a range of characteristics.[1] High pressure production, which uses ten tons per square inch, creates a film for molded materials. Low pressure production uses a low temperature with a catalyst and hydrocarbon solvent. This process is less expensive and produces a polyethylene polymer more suitable for textile use.[1] The polymer is then melted, spun into water, or air cooled. The fiber is drawn out to six times the spun length. Gel spinning is a new method in which a gel form of polyethylene polymers is used.[1] Physical and chemical structurePhysicalOlefin fibers can be multi- or monofilament and staple, tow or film yarns. The fibers are colorless and round in cross section. This cross section can be modified for different end uses. The physical characteristics are a waxy feel and colorless.[1] ChemicalThere are two types of polymers that can be used in olefin fibers. The first, polyethylene, is a simple linear structure with repeating units. These fibers are used mainly for ropes, twines and utility fabrics.[1] The second type, polypropylene, is a three dimensional structure with a backbone of carbon atoms. Methyl groups protrude from this backbone. Stereospecific polymerization orders these methyl groups to the same spatial placement. This creates a crystalline polypropylene polymer. The fibers made with these polymers can be used in apparel, furnishing and industrial products.[1] ManufacturersThe first commercial producer of an olefin fiber in the United States was Hercules, Inc. (FiberVisions). In 1996, polyolefin was the world’s first and only Nobel Prize winning fiber.[4] Other U.S. olefin fiber producers include Asota; American Fibers and Yarns Co; American Synthetic Fiber, LLC; Color-Fi; FiberVisions; Foss Manufacturing Co., LLC; Drake Extrusion; Filament Fiber Technology, Inc.; TenCate Geosynthetics; Universal Fiber Systems LLC.[3] Trademarks according to fabric useProducer – Allied-Signal
Producer – DuPont
Producer – Trevira
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