Synthetic Fiber - Disadvantages

Disadvantages

• Synthetic fibers melt before burning
• Some electrical charge accumulates on the synthetic fibers. The electrical charge causes irritation of the skin.
• Low melting temperature
• Extremely hazardous to the environment.
• Can shrink rap and suffocate the user.
• Can make you overheat
• Can make you cold when wet

There are several methods of manufacturing synthetic fibers but the most common is the Melt-Spinning Process. It involves heating the fiber until it begins to melt, then you must draw out the melt with tweezers as quickly as possible. The next step would be to draw the molecules by aligning them in a parallel arrangement. This brings the fibers closer together and allows them to crystallize and orient. Lastly, is Heat-Setting. This utilizes heat to permeate the shape and dimensions of the fabrics made from heat-sensitive fibers.

Synthetic fibers account for about half of all fiber usage, with applications in every field of fiber and textile technology. Although many classes of fiber based on synthetic polymers have been evaluated as potentially valuable commercial products, four of them - nylon, polyester, acrylic and polyolefin - dominate the market. These four account for approximately 98 per cent by volume of synthetic fiber production, with polyester alone accounting for around 60 per cent.