Chapter 3: Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

Fibers

Fibers are thin, long, and flexible and hair or thread-like structures. There are two types of fiber:-

1. Natural Fibres

The fibers which are obtained from natural sources such as plants are known as natural fibers.
Example:- Cotton, wool, silk, etc.

2. Man-made fibers

The fibers which are manufactured in factories by humans are known as man-made or Synthetic fibers.
Example:- Nylon, Rayon, acrylic, etc.

Synthetic Fibres:

Synthetic fibers are made by humans through chemical synthesis in laboratories and factories. Fabrics are made by weaving fibers (or threads) obtained from natural or artificial sources. They can be of two types:

What is a synthetic fiber made up of?

A synthetic fiber, as well as plastic, is made up of a chain of small units (called Monomers) which combine to form polymers.

Monomers: A monomer is a single molecule that can bond with other identical molecules to form polymers through a process called Polymerization.

Polymers: Polymer is a Greek word in which 'poly' means 'many' and 'mer' means units. Hence, polymers are large molecules made up of several molecules (or monomers) linked together.

Example of Polymers:

All synthetic fibers, such as Rayon and Nylon, are polymers. Polymers are also found in Nature. ‘Cotton’ is a polymer called ‘Cellulose’. ‘Cellulose’ is made up of a number of single units (or monomers) called ‘Glucose’.

Polymerization Reaction: The process of linking small monomers together to form polymers is called Polymerization.

Types of Synthetic Fibers:

1. Rayon: It is made from cellulose obtained from wood pulp. It is used to make containers, car upholstery, etc.
2. Nylon: A polyamide made from petroleum. It is lightweight, strong and durable. The fabric allows easy evaporation and dries quickly. It is used in parachutes, flak vests, combat uniforms, tires, etc.
3. Polyester: A versatile and important man-made fabric. It has an outstanding characteristic of resisting wrinkle and springing back into its crisp, smooth shape. It is strong and soft. It is used in dresses, suits, rainwear, etc.
4. Acrylic: A fibre similar to that of wool and is used to make sweater, blankets, shawls, etc. It is lightweight, soft and warm. Also, it is cheaper than natural wool. It is resistant to chemicals, moths and sunlight. Therefore, they are widely in use nowadays.

Rayon

Rayon is a versatile fiber and can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton and linen with drape and slipperiness akin to nylon.

Why Rayon is called artificial silk?

Rayon resembles silk in appearance, texture and shine. Hence, it is also known as Artificial Silk.

Silk fiber was discovered in China and made from silkworms. It had a beautiful texture and was very costly. By the end of the 19th century, scientists managed to make an artificial silk-like fiber made by treating wood pulp chemically.

Uses of Rayon

This man-made fiber uses natural material (wood pulp) and can be woven like silk fiber. It is cheaper than silk and can be dyed in a variety of colours. It can be:

• Make apparel like suits, slacks, jackets etc.
• Make automobile tyre cords (because of their strength)
• Mixed with cotton to make bedsheets and bedspreads
• Mixed with wool to make carpets and blankets
• Used to make other home furnishings, such as curtains and tablecloths

Nylon

Nylon is the first synthetic fiber to be prepared without using any natural raw materials (materials produced by plants and animals).

Which properties make Nylon suitable for:

• Making Ropes used for Rock Climbing: Strong fiber, Lightweight, Weather Resistant
• Making Fishing Nets: Strong, Elastic, Water Resistant
• Making Tents: Strong, Light, Does Not Absorb Much Water, Dries Quickly

Uses of Nylon

Developed in 1931, this thermoplastic silky material is strong, elastic, light, lustrous and easy to wash. A nylon thread is, in fact, stronger than a steel wire. Hence, it is used to:

• Make clothes (including socks)
• Make parachutes as well as ropes for rock climbing
• Make ropes, toothbrushes, and car seat belts etc.
• Make tents, curtains, and sleeping bags

Polyester

Polyester fiber does not get wrinkled easily. Hence, a fabric made from this fiber is easy to wash and does not need to be ironed - which makes it suitable for dress material.

Polyester is made up of two words - 'poly' which means many, and 'ester' which is a chemical.

Esters are chemicals that give fruits their smell.

Name some types of Polyester fibers.

Some popular polyester fibers are:

Terylene (often known by the brand name Dacron) can be drawn into very fine fiber and can be woven like any other yarn.

Polyethylene terephthalate (P.E.T.) is used for making wires, films, bottles, utensils and other products.

What are blended fibers?

Blended fibers are formed by mixing natural and synthetic fibers. Polyester is often used in blended fibers. For Example,

• Polywool is made by mixing polyester and wool.
• Polycot is made by mixing polyester and cotton.
• Terrycot is made by mixing Terylene and cotton.

Uses of Polyester

Since polyester is strong, wrinkle-resistant and water-resistant, it has several uses. It can be used to:

• Make a variety of textiles (including sarees, curtains, dress materials etc.) and can be blended with natural fibers (like cotton and wool)
• Make films, magnetic recording tapes, etc (as Mylar)
• Make sails of sailboats
• Make water hoses for firefighting purposes

Acrylic

Acrylic is a strong, lightweight and warm synthetic fiber that resembles wool. It is available in a number of colours and is more durable and affordable than natural wool. Acrylic fiber, fabric, plastic, or paint are all made from acrylic acid. The word 'acrylic' means 'containing acryl (or acrolein)' Acrolein is the sharp and bitter liquid in onions and has its roots in two Latin words - 'Acer' which means 'sharp', and 'olere' which means 'to smell'.

Why storage of acrylic clothes is easier than woolen clothes?

Woolen clothes need naphthalene balls to protect them from attack by insects. Acrylic is synthetic wool and is hence, resistant to the action of moths and insects.

Uses of Acrylic Fibre

Acrylic can mimic wool as well as cotton at times and is hypoallergenic in nature. It means that people who have sensitive skin can wear it easily. Some acrylic fibers are very resilient – more than other natural or synthetic fibers. It can be used to:

• Make woolen clothes like hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters, blankets, and other home-furnishing fabrics.
• Make fake fur used for making toys and fur accessories.
• Make garments for babies (as the fabric is machine-washable).

 What are synthetic fibers made up of?

All the synthetic fibers are manufactured by processing raw materials of petroleum origin in a number of ways. The raw materials of petroleum origin are called Petrochemicals.

 

Why should we not wear synthetic clothes in the kitchen?

Synthetic fibers melt on heating. If the clothes catch fire, the fabric made up of synthetic fibers will melt and stick to one's body. Hence, it is recommended that one should not wear synthetic clothes while working in the kitchen or laboratory.

Plastics

The word plastic comes from the Greek word “plastikos” which means fit for molding. Plastic is popular because it is cheap to produce and is easy to mould and shape into the desired form. Like synthetic fibers, plastic is also a polymer. Some plastics have a linear arrangement of the units and some have a cross-linked arrangement of the units. Examples: Polythene.

Characteristics of Plastics:

(i) Non-reactive: Not affected by air, water, soil, etc.

(ii) Light, strong and durable: Light, strong and durable and can be moulded into different shapes and sizes.

(iii) Poor Conductors: Do not allow heat and electricity to flow through them.

Effect of Plastics on Environment:

Natural materials like wood and paper are biodegradable (bio = living; degradable = able to break down). In contrast, most plastics do not decay, therefore, they are non-biodegradable. The lightweight nature of Plastics can also be a problem. The burning of plastics also releases poisonous fumes into the atmosphere. This way plastics pollute the environment. Plastic is a polymer (like synthetic fiber) that can be moulded into different shapes. The word ‘plastic’ originates from the Greek word ‘plastikos’ which means ‘that can be moulded or shaped.

Plastic polymers can have different types of arrangement of monomers:

Types of Plastics:

1. Thermoplastics

The polymers in which the intermolecular forces of attraction are intermediary to those of elastomers and fibers are called thermoplastics. Thermoplastics can be formed into any shape by heating. Example: Polythene, PVC, Teflon, etc. Uses: They are used in making toys, combs, containers, etc.

2. Thermosetting polymers

The polymers which on heating change irreversibly into hard, rigid, and infusible
materials are called thermoplastics. Once they are moulded they cannot be changed into other forms. Example: - Bakelite, Melamine. Uses: - They are used in making switches, handles, and utensils. Plastic can be recycled and used. It can also be melted, rolled into sheets, made into wires, and colored.

Some popular types of plastics are:

Plastics as Materials of Choice

Give Reasons Why:

Buckets are made of plastic these days.

Plastic buckets are strong, lightweight, and do not rust.

Bakelite plastic is used to make electrical switches.

Bakelite is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Hence, they would not give anyone an electric shock when someone touches the switch.

Melamine is used to make crockery.

Melamine is unbreakable, fire-resistant, and tolerates heat better than plastics. Hence, it can be used to make crockery that can hold hot liquids or dishes served in it.

Plastics are used in cars, aircraft and spacecraft.

Plastics are strong, durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant.

Chemicals are stored in plastic bottles.

Plastic bottles are lightweight, unbreakable, corrosion-resistant, and are resistant to the action of chemicals. Hence, they are suitable for storing chemicals.

Which plastic is used to make:

Non-stick coating on Cookware: Teflon

Insulation covering on Wires: PVC

Polythene Bags: Polythene

Flame-resistant Uniforms: Melamine

Special uses of Plastic:

Besides being used in packaging for food and non-food items and several daily-used items (such as furniture, electrical switches, slippers etc.), plastic also has special uses such as:

• Used in the healthcare industry for packaging of tablets, syringes, doctor's gloves, a number of medical instruments, and threads for stitching wounds.
• Used to make cookware used in microwave ovens
• Used as a non-stick coating on cookware (made of a special plastic called Teflon is used on which oil and water do not stick)
• Used to make the fire-resistant uniform for firefighters (made of Melamine)

Plastics and the Environment

Plastic is a threat to the environment as it is non-biodegradable. Its disposal is a big problem.

Biodegradable: Material that gets decomposed through natural processes (such as bacterial action) is called Biodegradable.

Non-biodegradable: Material that cannot be easily decomposed by natural processes is called Non-biodegradable.

How do plastics cause environmental pollution?

Plastics cause pollution as they are non-biodegradable, and release toxic fumes when burnt (and hence, cause air pollution).

5 Rs to Minimize the Environmental Damage caused by Plastic

Refuse: Do not buy things we do not need.

Reduce: Minimize the use of plastics in our daily lives.

Reuse: Reuse the items we already have instead of throwing them away.

Repurpose: If we are not using something, alter or change to use it in a different way.

Recycle: Some plastic waste can be sorted and made into other things in recycling factories. This helps us to reduce our carbon footprint.

How can we minimize pollution caused by plastics at home?

We should use jute, cotton, or paper bags instead of plastics. We also need to minimize the use of plastic in our daily lives (such as using a steel lunch box instead of a plastic one). Also, we should not throw plastics on the road or in the water bodies.