Fiber Types

First U.S. Commercial Nytril Fiber Production: Nytril fibers were produced commercially in the United States during the 1950's and 1960's. There are no current U.S. producers.

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Nytril Fiber: A manufactured fiber containing at least 85% of a long-chain polymer of vinylidene dinitrile, where the vinylidene dinitrile content is no less than every other unit in the polymer chain. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Nytril Fiber Characteristics and Uses: Nytril fibers are soft and resilient. As with modacrylic fibers, they soften at somewhat lower temperatures than acrylic fibers and are therefore most commonly used in articles that do not require pressing. Nytril fibers can be used in sweaters, pile fabrics, and in blends with wool where they contribute to shrink resistance and shape retention. They have also been used in a variety of "fake fur" applications.

Fiber Types: Olefin Staple Fiber, Olefin Filament Fiber, Olefin Carpet BCF Filament Fiber, Olefin Film Fiber, Polyethylene Fiber - (Spectra)

First U.S. Commercial Olefin Fiber Production: 1958, olefin monofilaments for various specialized uses; 1961, Hercules Incorporated, textile grade multifilament polypropylene

Current U.S. Olefin Fiber Producers: American Fibers and Yarns Company; American Synthetic Fiber, LLC; Color-Fi; FiberVisions; Foss Manufacturing Co., LLC; Drake Extrusion; TenCate Geosynthetics; Universal Fiber Systems LLC

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Olefin Fiber: 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, except amorphous (non-crystalline) polyolefins qualifying under category (1) of Paragraph (I) of Rule 7. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Olefin Fiber Production: Olefin fibers (polypropylene and polyethylene) are products of the polymerization of propylene and ethylene gases. For the products to be of use as fibers, polymerization must be carried out under controlled conditions with special catalysts that give chains with few branches. Olefin fibers are characterized by their resistance to moisture and chemicals. Of the two, polypropylene is the more favored for general textile applications because of its higher melting point; and the use of polypropylene has progressed rapidly since its introduction. The fibers resist dyeing, so colored olefin fibers are produced by adding dye directly to the polymer prior to or during melt spinning. A range of characteristics can be imparted to olefin fibers with additives, variations in the polymer, and by use of different process conditions.

Olefin Fiber Characteristics:

• Able to give good bulk and cover
• Abrasion resistant
• Colorfast
• Quick drying
• Low static
• Resistant to deterioration from chemicals, mildew, perspiration, rot and weather
• Thermally bondable
• Stain and soil resistant
• Strong
• Sunlight resistant
• Dry hand; wicks body moisture from the skin
• Very comfortable
• Very lightweight (olefin fibers have the lowest specific gravity of all fibers)

Some Major Olefin Fiber Uses:

• Apparel: Activewear and sportswear; socks; thermal underwear; lining fabrics
• Automotive: Interior fabrics used in or on kick panel, package shelf, seat construction, truck liners, load decks, etc.
• Home Furnishings: Indoor and outdoor carpets; carpet backing; upholstery and wall coverings; furniture and bedding construction fabrics
• Industrial: Carpets; disposable, durable nonwoven fabrics; ropes; filter fabrics; bagging; geotextiles

General Olefin Fiber Care Tips:

• Most stains on fabric can be readily removed by spotting with lukewarm water and detergent.
• Bleaches can be used if needed.
• If fabric is laundered, it should be line dried or tumble dried with gentle heat or no heat. Olefin dries very rapidly.
• Do not iron. (For specific instructions, refer to garment's sewn-in care label.)

Fiber Types: PLA Fiber, Polylactide Fiber, Polylactic Acid Fiber

First Commercial PLA Fiber Production: 2002, Cargill Dow

Current PLA Fiber Producers: NatureWorks LLC

Federal Trade Commission Definition for PLA Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is composed of at least 85% by weight of lactic acid ester units derived from naturally occurring sugars. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here).

Basic Principles of PLA Fiber Production: PLA fibers typically are made using lactic acid as the starting material for polymer manufacture. The lactic acid comes from fermenting various sources of natural sugars. These sugars can come from annually renewable agricultural crops such as corn or sugar beets.

PLA Fiber Characteristics and Uses: The fundamental polymer chemistry of PLA allows control of certain fiber properties and makes the fiber suitable for a wide variety of technical textile fiber applications, especially apparel and performance apparel applications such as:

• Low moisture absorption and high wicking, offering benefits for sports and performance apparel and products
• Low flammability and smoke generation
• High resistance to ultra violet (UV) light, a benefit for performance apparel as well as outdoor furniture and furnishings applications
• A low index of refraction, which provides excellent color characteristics
• Lower specific gravity, making PLA lighter in weight than other fibers
• In addition to coming from an annually renewable resource base PLA fibers are readily melt-spun, offering manufacturing advantages that result in greater consumer choice

Current U.S. PEN Fiber Producer: Performance Fibers Inc.

Basic Principles of PEN Fiber Production: PEN, a new generation polymer, is a high performance member of the polyester family. Its unique chemical structure renders it useful for fibers, packaging and films. PEN has a modulus that is five times that of nylon, two-and-a-half times that of polyester, and double that of rayon.

(modulus is one measure of a fiber's resistance to deformation)

PEN Fiber Characteristics:

• Dimensional stability—low elongation and low shrinkage
• Engineered for strength and dimensional stability

Some Major PEN Fiber Uses: Engineered reinforcements, cordage, tire cord, narrow and broad woven fabrics. High-performance sailcloth in racing.

Fiber Types: Polyester Tow Fiber, Polyester Staple Fiber, Polyester Fiberfill, Polyester Textile Filament Fiber, Polyester Industrial Filament Fiber, PEN Fiber (Polyethylene Naphthalate)

First U.S. Commercial Polyester Fiber Production: 1953, DuPont Company

Current U.S. Polyester Fiber Producers: Color-Fi; Dak Fibers; Fiber Science, Inc.; Foss Manufacturing Co.; INVISTA LLC; Nan Ya Plastics Corp.; Palmetto Synthetics; Performance Fibers Inc.; Premiere Fibers, Inc.; Universal Fiber Systems LLC; Wellman, Inc.

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Polyester Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Polyester Fiber Production: The most common polyester for fiber purposes is poly (ethylene terephthalate), or simply PET. This is also the polymer used for many soft drink bottles and it is becoming increasingly common to recycle them after use by remelting the PET and extruding it as fiber. This saves valuable petroleum raw materials, reduces energy consumption, and eliminates solid waste sent to landfills.

PET is made by reacting ethylene glycol with either terephthalic acid or its methyl ester in the presence of an antimony catalyst. The reaction is carried out at high temperature and vacuum to achieve the high molecular weights need to form useful fibers. PET is melt spun.

Polyester Fiber Characteristics:

• Strong
• Resistant to stretching and shrinking
• Resistant to most chemicals
• Quick drying
• Crisp and resilient when wet or dry
• Wrinkle resistant
• Mildew resistant
• Abrasion resistant
• Retains heat-set pleats and crease
• Easily washed

Some Major Polyester Fiber Uses:

• Apparel: Every form of clothing
• Home Furnishings: Carpets, curtains, draperies, sheets and pillow cases, wall coverings, and upholstery
• Other Uses: hoses, power belting, ropes and nets, thread, tire cord, auto upholstery, sails, floppy disk liners, and fiberfill for various products including pillows and furniture

General Polyester Fiber Care Tips:

• Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried. Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. Machine dry at a low temperature and remove articles as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed.
• If ironing is desired, use a moderately warm iron.
• Most items made from polyester can be dry-cleaned. (For specific instructions, refer to garment's sewn-in care label.)

Current U.S. Polyethylene Fiber Producer: Honeywell

Polyethylene Fiber: (Spectra currently produced in the U.S. by Honeywell) is one of the world's strongest and lightest fibers. A bright white polyethylene, Polyethylene fiber is, pound-for-pound, 10 times stronger than steel and up to 40 percent stronger than aramids. It floats, resists chemicals and water, and exhibits superior fiber-to-fiber abrasion.

Polyethylene fibers are used in numerous applications, including police and military ballistic vests, helmets and armored vehicles, sailcloth, fishing lines, marine cordage and lifting slings, and cut-resistant gloves as well as safety apparel.

Fiber Types: Rayon Fiber (Viscose), Rayon Staple Fiber, Rayon Industrial Filament Fiber

First U.S. Commercial Rayon Fiber Production: 1910, Avtex Fibers Inc. (Formerly FMC Corporation and American Viscose)

Current U.S Rayon Fiber Producers: None currently

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Rayon Fiber: A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, in which substituents have replaced not more than 15% of the hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Rayon Fiber Production: In the production of rayon, purified cellulose is chemically converted into a soluble compound. A solution of this compound is passed through the spinneret to form soft filaments that are then converted or "regenerated" into almost pure cellulose. Because of the reconversion of the soluble compound to cellulose, rayon is referred to as a regenerated cellulose fiber.

There are several types of rayon fibers in commercial use today, named according to the process by which the cellulose is converted to the soluble form and then regenerated. Rayon fibers are wet spun, which means that the filaments emerging from the spinneret pass directly into chemical baths for solidifying or regeneration.

Viscose rayon is made by converting purified cellulose to xanthate, dissolving the xanthate in dilute caustic soda and then regenerating the cellulose from the product as it emerges from the spinneret. Most rayon is made by the viscose process.

Viscose Process:

Most commercial rayon manufacturing today utilizes the viscose process. This process dates to the early 1900s, with most of the growth in production occurring between 1925 and 1955. In the early period, production was mainly textile filament, although the first staple was produced in 1916. High performance rayons, such as tire cord, did not appear until the late 1930s, with the advent of hot-stretching and addition of larger amounts of zinc to the spin bath. Invention of modifiers in 1947 brought on super tire cords and marked the beginning of the high-performance rayon fibers.

All of the early viscose production involved batch processing. In more recent times, processes have been modified to allow some semi-continuous production.

Other forms of regenerated cellulose fibers that are classified by the Commission as rayon without separate, distinctive names include high wet modulus rayon, cuprammonium rayon and saponified rayon.

High wet modulus rayon is highly modified viscose rayon that has greater dimensional stability in washing.

Cuprammonium rayon is made by converting the cellulose into a soluble compound by combining it with copper and ammonia. The solution of this material in caustic soda is passed through the spinneret and the cellulose is regenerated in the hardening baths that remove the copper and ammonia and neutralize the caustic soda. Cuprammonium rayon is usually made in fine filaments that are used in lightweight summer dresses and blouses, sometimes in Combination with cotton to make textured fabrics with clubbed, uneven surfaces.

When extruded filaments of cellulose acetate are reconverted to cellulose, they are described as saponified rayon, which dyes like rayon instead of acetate.

Rayon Fiber Characteristics:

• Highly absorbent
• Soft and comfortable
• Easy to dye
• Drapes well

The drawing process applied in spinning may be adjusted to produce rayon fibers of extra strength and reduced elongation. Such fibers are designated as high tenacity rayons, which have about twice the strength and two-thirds of the stretch of regular rayon. An intermediate grade, known as medium tenacity rayon, is also made. Its strength and stretch characteristics fall midway between those of high tenacity and regular rayon.

Some Major Rayon Fiber Uses:

• Apparel: Accessories, blouses, dresses, jackets, lingerie, linings, millinery, slacks, sportshirts, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes
• Home Furnishings: Bedspreads, blankets, curtains, draperies, sheets, slipcovers, tablecloths, upholstery
• Industrial Uses: Industrial products, medical surgical products, nonwoven products, tire cord
• Other Uses: Feminine hygiene products

General Rayon Fiber Care Tips: Most rayon fabrics should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine washed. For washable items, use the following as a guide:

• Fabrics containing rayon can be bleached; some finishes, however, are sensitive to chlorine bleach.
• Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.
• Smooth or shake out article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be dried flat.
• Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.
• Between wearings, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron. (For specific instructions, refer to garment's sewn-in care label.)

First U.S. Commercial Saran Fiber Production: 1940, Dow Chemical Company.

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Saran Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 80% by weight of vinylidene chloride units. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Characteristics and Saran Fiber Uses: Saran fibers wear well and resist common chemicals, sunlight, staining, fading, mildew and the weather. Fabrics made from Saran fibers can be easily washed with soap and water. They are non-flammable. Saran monofilaments are comparatively stiff and they soften at low temperatures. The fiber is heavy compared with most apparel fibers. Saran fibers are used for upholstery in public conveyances, deck chairs, garden furniture, etc. The weight of Saran fibers is too great for wide use as a general textile material.

First U.S. Commercial Spandex Fiber Production: 1959, DuPont Company

Current U.S. Spandex Fiber Producers: Asahi Kasei Spandex America, Inc. (formerly Dorlastan.); INVISTA, RadiciSpandex Corporation

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Spandex Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85% of a segmented polyurethane. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Spandex Fiber Production: The polymer chain is a segmented block copolymer containing long, randomly coiled, liquid, soft segments that move to a more linear, lower entropy, structure. The hard segments act as "virtual cross-links" that tie all the polymer chains together into an infinite network. This network prevents the polymer chains from slipping past each other and taking on a permanent set or draw. When the stretching force is removed, the linear, low entropy, soft segments move back to the preferred randomly coiled, higher entropy state, causing the fiber to recover to its original shape and length. This segmented block copolymer is formed in a multi-step proprietary process. It is extruded into a fiber as a monofilament threadline or for most products into a multiplicity of fine filaments that are coalesced shortly after they are formed into a single threadline.

Spandex Fiber Characteristics:

• Can be stretched repeatedly and still recover to very near its original length and shape
• Generally, can be stretched more than 500% without breaking
• Stronger, more durable and higher retractive force than rubber
• Lightweight, soft, smooth, supple
• In garments, provides a combination of comfort and fit, prevents bagging and sagging
• Heat-settable — facilitates transforming puckered fabrics into flat fabrics, or flat fabrics into permanent rounded shapes
• Dyeable
• Resistant to deterioration by body oils, perspiration, lotions or detergents
• Abrasion resistant
• When fabrics containing spandex are sewn, the needle causes little or no damage from "needle cutting" compared to the older types of elastic materials
• Available in fiber diameters ranging from 10 denier to 2500 denier
• Available in clear and opaque lusters

Some Major Spandex Fiber Uses:

• Garments where comfort and fit are desired: hosiery, swimsuits, aerobic/exercise wear, ski pants, golf jackets, disposable diaper, waist bands, bra straps and bra side panels
• Compression garments: surgical hose, support hose, bicycle pants, foundation garments
• Shaped garments: bra cups

General Spandex Fiber Care Tips:

• Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water
• Do not use chlorine bleach on any fabric containing spandex. Use oxygen or sodium perborate type bleach
• Rise thoroughly
• Drip dry. If machine dried, use low temperature
• Ironing, if required, should be done rapidly. Do not leave the iron too long in one position. Use low temperatures setting. (For specific instructions, refer to garment's sewn-in care label)

First U.S. Commercial Sulfur Fiber Production: 1983, Phillips Fibers Corporation, A Subsidiary of Phillips 66 Company

Current U.S. Sulfur Fiber Producers: (Sulfur is not produced in the United States. The only producer is Toray Industries, Inc. Japan)

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Sulfur Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long synthetic polysulfide in which at least 85% of the sulfide linkages are attached directly to two (2) aromatic rings. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Sulfur Fiber Production: The PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) polymer is formed by reaction of sulfur with dichlorobenzene and then extruded by melt spinning to produce both staple and filament fibers.

Fiber Types: Triacetate Fiber, Triacetate Staple Fiber, Triacetate Filter Tow Fiber, Triacetate Textile Filament Fiber

First U.S. Commercial Triacetate Fiber Production: 1954, Celanese Corporation (Triacetate is not currently produced in the United States)

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Triacetate Fiber: See definition for Acetate. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Basic Principles of Triacetate Fiber Production: Triacetate is derived from cellulose by combining cellulose with acetate from acetic acid and acetate anhydride. The cellulose acetate is dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol for spinning. As the filaments emerge from the spinneret the solvent is evaporated in warm air — dry spinning — leaving a fiber of almost pure cellulose acetate. Triacetate fibers contain a higher ratio of acetate-to-cellulose than do acetate fibers.

Triacetate Fiber Characteristics:

• Shrink resistant
• Wrinkle resistant
• Easily washed
• Fabrics made from triacetate fibers maintain pleat retention and a crisp finish
• Develop their most valuable characteristics by heat treatments that are included as a part of their normal finishing

Some Major Triacetate Fiber Uses:

• Apparel: Dresses, skirts, sportswear, particularly where pleat-retention is important.

General Triacetate Fiber Care Tips:

• Pleated garments are best hand laundered. Most other garments containing 100% triacetate can be machine washed and dried.
• If ironing is desired, a high temperature setting may be used.
• Articles containing triacetate fibers require very little special care due mainly to the fiber's resistance to high temperature. (For specific instructions, refer to garment's sewn-in care label.)

First U.S. Commercial Vinal Fiber Production: (Vinal is not produced in the United States.)

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Vinal Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 50% by weight of vinyl alcohol units, and in which the total of the vinyl alcohol units and any one or more of the various acetal units is at least 85% by weight of the fiber. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Characteristics and Vinal Fiber Uses: Vinal fibers soften at low temperatures but have high resistance to chemicals. This makes them suitable for certain industrial uses. In some countries other than the United States, vinal fibers are referred to as polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

First U.S. Commercial Vinyon Fiber Production: 1939, FMC Corporation, Fiber Division (formerly American Viscose)

Federal Trade Commission Definition for Vinyon Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% weight of vinyl chloride units. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)

Characteristics and Vinyon Fiber Uses: Vinyon fibers soften at low temperatures but have high resistance to chemicals. They are most commonly used in industrial applications as a bonding agent for non-woven fabrics and products.

In some countries other than the United States, vinyon fibers are referred to as polyvinyl chloride fibers.