Types of Synthetic Fibers: Examples, Advantages and Disadvantages

Synthetic fibers are human-made fibers that are produced by chemical processes. Fibers are thin threads of natural or artificial substance that are used to manufacture clothes and ropes. Fibers can be mainly of two types, Natural fibres and Synthetic. Most of the things we use in our daily life are made from synthetic fibers. For example, clothes, carpets etc. 

• Natural and synthetic fibers are both useful in production of daily life appliances but synthetic fibers are more preferable and widely used in textile industry.
• Synthetic fibers served as an alternative to natural fibers due to several advantages.
• The synthetic fibers are made up of petroleum through chemical process.
• Some common types of synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex. 

Key terms: Synthetic fibers, Polyester, Rayon, Nylon, Clothes, Silk, Fibers

Also read: Animal Fibre

---

What are synthetic fibers?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Synthetic fibers are artificially processed or in simple words, man-made fibers developed through chemical process. Synthetic fibers are also called petrochemicals because the raw material used to synthesize these fibers is petroleum. The small unit that makes the fiber is called polymer.

• These fibers known for their durability, resistance to wrinkles and stains, and ability to hold their shape.
• Polyester is one of the most widely used synthetic fibers.
• Some of the drawbacks of synthetic fibers include that they are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down.

Overall, synthetic fibers have revolutionized the textile industry and have become an important part of our everyday lives.

---

What are natural fibers?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Natural fibers come from natural sources like plants and animals. For example, cotton is a plant product and silk comes from an insect-silkworm.

There is another type of fiber known as semi-synthetic fiber because these fibers are derivatized from naturally occurring fibers but through chemical process. These fibers lie between the above two categories and hence named as semi-synthetic fiber. Example: Rayon. 

Also read: Spinning Of Cotton Yarn

---

Advantages of synthetic fibers

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Synthetic fibers have many benefits compared to natural ones. Therefore these fibers are used as an alternative to natural fibers and became an important part of the textile industry. Some of the advantages are listed below.

• Cheaper in cost

Synthetic fibers cost less than the naturally derived fibers and mass production of fibers is easy which is one of the major advantages for textile industries. 

• Stain resistant

The synthetic fibers are specially designed to be more stain resistant and the color of fibers is due to dying used during the synthesis process. Due to this property, synthetic clothings can be a great application of fibers for daily life.

• Water resistant and waterproof

Synthetic fibers can be designed to be waterproof and this makes them excellent for outdoor and rain gear making.

• Good elasticity

These fibers provide very good elastic property which can be applied to make seat belts or any elastics (Nylon). They can handle heavy loads and do not break down easily.

• Absorbent

High absorbance quality of rayon-like fibers makes them useful for making summer clothes as it absorbs sweat and allows it to evaporate from skin.

• Imitation version 

Just like jewelry, now it is possible to make imitation versions of natural fibers. Eg. Imitation silk.

---

Disadvantages of synthetic fibers

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Along with great benefits, man-made fibers have few disadvantages which need to be looked after while production.

1. Ironing of clothings made from synthetic fibers requires attention as there is a possibility that fibers get melted easily.
2. They catch fire easily.
3. They are non-biodegradable
4. Proper, dedicated setup and chemicals are prerequisite to synthesize fibers.
5. Not all fibers are good at absorption. 

Also Read:

---

Examples of synthetic fibers

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Some of the artificially processed fibers are listed below

Polyester

• It is made up of coal and petroleum.
• It is very strong and durable.
• It does not absorbs liquid well, therefore, not recommended for summer wears.
• Good resistance towards heat and chemical degradation.
• Just like wool, it is able to protect the skin from UV rays.
• Used in making clothes, bed-sheets, pillow-cases, curtains, bottles, films etc.
• It is easy to wash and remains wrinkle-free.

Rayon

• Rayon is the first semi-synthetic fiber produced from reconstituted pulp of wood.
• Since it is made from plant products and process involves chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, it is called semi-synthetic fiber. (Imitation version of silk)
• Rayon is also called ‘poor man’s silk’ since it is like silk but cheaper than silk.
• It is soft, absorbent and comfortable.
• It is used in combination with natural fibers like wool and cotton to make bedsheets, carpets etc.

Nylon

• It is easy to wash and gives strong elasticity.
• Maintains its shape.
• Applicable to make seat belts, ropes, socks etc.

Acrylic fibers

• It is made up of acrylonitrile or vinyl cyanide.
• Used to create fake furs and fleece.

Micro-fibers

• They are thin and short in appearance.
• They have dirt-trapping ability which makes them excellent for dusting and cleansing clothes.

---

Things to remember

• Fibers are of two categories- Natural and Synthetic.
• Natural fibers come from plants’ and animals’ products whereas synthetic fibers are man-made fibers using chemical processes.
• Synthetic fibers are an important part of the textile industry which makes daily life products like clothes, carpets, bottles, belts etc.
• There are semi-synthetic fibers as well that are made up of plant products but the process involves chemicals. Such as rayon- first semi-synthetic fiber made from wood pulp.
• Synthetic fibers have many advantages which makes them a great alternative to natural fibers.
• They are cheaper, stain and water resistant, durable, absorbent and give good elasticity.
• Some disadvantages include their proneness to catch fire and get melted away, non-biodegradability and not all synthetic fibers are good absorbent.
• Examples of synthetic fibers are polyester, rayon, nylon, micro-fibers and acrylic fibers.

Also read: Plant Fibers