Top 7 Synthetic Materials

                 Synthetic materials are the kind of materials that are made from chemicals based on polymers. The synthetic materials are stronger than the natural materials and also these are durable, stretchable, waterproof and stair resistant construction. Compared to synthetic materials natural materials are easily break down over time. The chemicals used in synthetic materials are synthesized polymers or small molecules. These synthesized polymerase come from petroleum based chemicals (sometimes it is called as petrochemicals).

Products of synthetic materials

7. Aramid                          

                Aramids are generally produced by the reaction between an anime group and carboxylic acid halide group. Some of the well-known
aramids are AABB polymer, Nomex, Teijinconnex and New star.

Characteristics:

                Aramids are heat resistant and strong synthetic fibers. Generally the aramids are good abrasion resistant, organic solvents resistant, non-conductive, low flammable and sensitive to acids, salts and ultraviolet radiations.

Uses:

Aramids are mostly used in aerospace and military applications for ballistic rated body armor fabric, asbestos substitutes and composites in bicycle tires.         

 6. Spandex

                Spandex is a synthetic fiber with exceptional elasticity. It is more stronger and more durable than the natural rubbers.

The spandex fibers are produced by for different ways

1.       Solution dry spinning
2.       Solution wet spinning
3.       Melt extrusion
4.       Reaction spinning

The solution dry spinning is used to produce more than 94.5% of the spandex fibers around the world.

Characteristics:

Spandex has an exceptional elasticity, higher strength, great durability and stretchable.

Uses:

Spandex is mostly used in sports apparels such as cycling shorts, wet suits, bathing suits, surgical compression garments and brassieres.

5. Nylon

                Nylon is a thermoplastic silk material. It is made of repeating units linked by amide bonds ( usually it is referred as "polyamide").  Nylon is the first successful synthetic thermoplastic polymer.

Characteristics:

Nylons are highly durable, high elongation, excellent abrasion resistance, high resistant to insects, fungi, animals, good strength and high resilient. It always melts instead of burning.

Uses:

                Nylon fibers are used in many industries including package papers, carpets, musical strings, pipes, clothes, bridle veils, tents and ropes.

4. Carbon Fiber

                Carbon fibers are made of fibers with carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more/less aligned to long parallel axis of fibers. Several thousand fibers are bundled together to form a Tow (It is an untwisted bundle of continuous filaments, it refers to the man-made fibers, especially carbon fibers). Which may be used by itself or woven into a fabric.

Characteristics:

                The carbon fibers have high stiffness, high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, low thermal expansion and high temperature tolerance.

Used:

                Carbon fibers are strong and lightweight. So we can use this in high performance race cars (Formula one cars), motor mikes, car gearboxes, brakes, aerospace, Civil engineering’s, military and lot more uses it has.

3. Rayon

                Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre. It is made from purified cellulose primarily from wood pulp. First it is chemically converted into soluble component then dissolved and forced through a spinneret .Rayon is made from naturally acquired polymers. There are many types of rayons are available based on its manufacturing process and its properties. Some of them are viscose, model and lyocell.

Characteristics:

                Rayons are soft, smooth, cool and highly absorbent. But it is do not insulate body heat. Rayon has the lowest elastic recovery than other fibers, but HWM (Highest-Wet-Modules) rayon  is much stronger and higher durable. The viscose rayon is dry-cleaning only & HWM rayon can be machine washed.

Uses:

                Rayon is mostly used in textile industries, making tire cords, carpets and surgical dressings.         

2. Acrylic

                Acrylics contains at least 85% of acrylonitrile monomer, vinyl acetate or methyl acrylate. This is formed by "Free radical polymerization in aqueous suspension" (Most of the synthetic materials are made with this chemical process).

Characteristics:

                Acrylic is lightweight, soft, resistance to moths, oils, chemicals and also good resistance to deterioration from sunlight exposure.

Uses:

                Many produced are made from acrylic including skylights and shower doors. It is more strong and clear than glass and also it is half heavy as glass. So it is best at flight windows, transparent doors.

1. Polyester

                Polyesters are formed by linking the esters within the fibers and the reaction of alcohol with carboxylic acid by the formation of esters.

There are two types of polyesters are available based on its backbones,

                                                               i.      Saturated Polyester: This kind of polyesters backbones are saturated esterification condensation of polyfunctional alcohols and acids.

                                                             ii.      Unsaturated polyester: The backbone of this unsaturated polyesters are alkl thermosetting resins characterized by vinl unsaturation.

Characteristics:

                Polyesters are extremely strong, durable, resistant to most of the chemicals, stretchable, shrinkable, wrinkle resistant, quick drying, mildew and abrasion resistant.

Uses:

                Mostly the polyesters are used for making polyester suits clothes and PET bottles. Due to its extreme strength and tenacity polyesters are also used in rope industries.

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