Olefin fiber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olefin fiber is a synthetic fiber made from alkenes. It is used in the manufacture of various textiles. Olefin is also referred to as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyolefin.<ref name="kadolph">Kadolph, Sara J., Langford, Anna L., (2002), Textile, Ninth Edition., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice Hall pp 109-113</ref>
Contents |
[edit] History
Italy began production of olefin fibers in 1957. Giulio Natta successfully made the olefin suitable for more textile applications. The U.S. production of olefin fibers started in 1960. Olefin Fibers also account for 16% of all manufactured fibers.[citation needed]
[edit] Major fiber properties
The Federal Trade Commission's definition for olefin fiber is: “A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units”<ref name="fibersource">http://www.fibersource.com</ref> “Olefins are produced as a monofilament, multifilament, staple fiber, tow and slit or fibrillated film years with variable tenacities.” The fibers are “waxy” colorless, often round in cross section.<ref name="kadolph"/> The fibers are also resistant to moisture and chemicals. Polypropylene is used more for textiles because of its high melting point. The fibers do not take dye very well so colored olefin fibers are produced by adding dye directly to the polymer prior to or during “melt spinning”.<ref>http://www.filamentfiber.com</ref>
“Some interior designers prefer olefin to most other fibers because of its attractive appearance and other positive performance aspects” along with the low cost aspect as compared to similar products made with different fibers.<ref name="kadolph"/> Along with being moisture and chemical resistant, it is also abrasion resistant, low static, stain resistant, colorfast, strong, very comfortable and extremely lightweight “olefin is the lightest textile fiber”.<ref>http://www.fabrics.net</ref> Fiber properties can be modified in a wide range with additives (e.g. UV-, thermal resistance, antibacterial, flame retardant).<ref name="asota">http://www.asota.com</ref>
[edit] Production method
A low pressure system (lower temperature) is used to produce a polyethylene polymer that is used more for textiles. The extrusion process (forcing the "dope" or spinning solution through a spinneret to form long fibers) is similar to that of nylon and polyester. Olefin is “melt-spin” (melting the polymer chips) and solidified through cooling. Gel spinning is a newer spinning method for olefin which dissolves the polyethylene polymer and forms a gel in the solvent. The gel is extruded through the spinneret, the solvent is extracted, and the fiber is drawn. This process produces high-strength fibers. Spectra is Honeywell’s trade name for an olefin fiber produced by gel spinning.<ref name="kadolph"/>
[edit] Manufacturers
The 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.<ref>http://www.fabriclink.com/RF-ED-History.html</ref> 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.<ref name="fibersource"/>
[edit] Trademarks according to fabric use
- Alpha, Condesa, Essera, Impressa, Marvess, Propex, Trace by American Fibers & Yarn Co.
- Tyvek, ComforMax IB by DuPont
- Thinsulate by 3M
- Fibrilawn, Fibrilon by Dibron
- Herculon by Hercules Inc.
- Duaguard, Evolution, Evolution III by Kimberly-Clark
- Polyloom by Polyloom
- Typar, Biobarrier by Reemay
- Spectra, Spectra 900, Spectra 1000 by Honeywell<ref name="kadolph"/>
- asota by Asota<ref name="asota"/>
[edit] Uses
- Apparel
- Sports & active wear, socks, thermal underwear; lining fabrics. “Telar by Filament Fiber Technology, Inc. is a fine-denier olefin used in blends for pantyhose, saris, and swimwear.”<ref name="kadolph"/>
- Home Furnishing
- Indoor and outdoor carpets and carpet tiles, carpet backing. “Olefin has almost completely replaced jute in carpet backing because of its low-cost, easy processing, excellent durability, and suitability”<ref name="kadolph"/>. Upholstery, draperies, wall coverings, slipcovers, floor coverings
- Automotive
- Interior fabrics, sun visors, arm rests, door and side panels, trunks, parcel shelfs, resin replacement as binder fibers,
- Industrial
- Carpets; ropes, geo-textiles that are in contact with the soil, filter fabrics, bagging, concrete reinforcement, heat-sealable paper (e.g. tea- and coffee-bags)
[edit] Care procedures
It is not recommended to dry clean Olefin, because many dry-cleaning solvents can swell the fibers. As Olefin dries quickly, line drying and low tumble drying with little or no heat is the recommended method of drying. Since Olefin is not absorbent, waterborne stains do not present a problem; however, oily stains are difficult to remove. Most such stains can be removed with lukewarm water and detergent, but bleach can also be used. Olefin fiber has a low melting point (around 225 to 335 °F, depending on the polymer's grade) so items should be ironed at a very low temperature, if at all. Items such as outdoor carpets and other fabrics can be hosed off. Regarding disposal, Olefin is easy to recycle.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
<references/>
