1, Rayon Rayon is prepared from cellulose. Cellulose comes from cotton, wood and other plant products Though cellulose is a natural polymer but rayon made from itis considered a synthetic fibre because cellulose needs extensive chemical treatment to form rayon. It is also considered asa semi-synthetic fore, Rayon has siliike appearance hence itis known as synthetic silk. Rayon was the first man-made fibre from a natural base material. Advantage of rayon is that it is cheaper to produce as compared to cotton itself since waste cotton and paper is used for making rayon. Secondly, rayon can be blended with other fibres like wool and silk. Properties of rayon ‘= Rayon basically being cotton is easily dyed and wooven into cloth. ‘+ [tis 2 good absorbent of sweat. ‘+ Its lustrous in appearance. a ‘© It drapes well se Use of rayon fibre Rayon is used as fabric for ‘© dress material because its soft, silky ‘and moisture absorbent + eurtoin beeause i ropes well '* upholstry for luxury cars and office and home furnishings y, —_ reinforcing nylon tyres '* magnetic audio tapes Fig. 3.2. Rayon fabrics and products ‘© mixed with fibre glass for making helmets. 2. Nylon Nylon was first developed by American scientist, Wallace H. Carothers for M/S DuPont de Nemours & Company of America in 1935. Chemicaly itis a ‘polyamide’, @ polymer. Its the strongest synthetic plastic materiel which can be moulded to any shape. Nylon has many uses as fibre, as sheet and as moulded solids. People believe that nylon has been named since its products were simultaneously launched in New York (NY) and London (LON). Properties of nylon © Itis toughest elastic material It can be moulded into fibres, bristles, sheets, rods, tubes and coatings ‘It can be made into pallets or powdered ‘© Itis lustrous and easy to wash © Itresists ol, grease, moths, fungus and other pests ‘Ibis slightly water absorbent. It dries quickly * Ithas 2 high tensile strength thatit is stretchable without breaking it. Use of nylon fibre Nylon fibre is used for making fine sarees, thread, reel thread, ropes, fishing lines and fishing nets, carpets, upholstry, seatbelts, umbrella covers and parachutes, It is specially useful in making stretchable wears like socks, stockings, track suits, swimwear and raincoats. You might be remem- bering that Rhea or ramie fibre (@ natural fibre) which is highly tensile is also used in the making of parachutes.3. Polyester Alcohol and organic acids react together to make compounds called esters which are polymers. These) are therefore called polyesters. If different alcohols [ and acids are used, different kinds of polyesters are made. Polyesters come under the brand name of ‘Terylene’, ‘Dacron’, ‘Terene’ and ‘polyester’. Polyester is blended with cottonand wool in different ratios to obtain Polycot or terrycot (polyester cotton) and polywoo! or terrywool (polyester wool) which A are easily maintainable. Esters are compounds with i fruity odour. Fig. 3.4. Poly Properties of polyester Polyester is tough, lightweight and elastic If polyester is heated and pressed, it forms a permanent crease It is easy to wash, it does not shrink or stretch Itdries quickly Itis resistant to pests and chemicals. Use of polyester fibre Clothings made from polyester are crease resistant and thus highly suitable for shirtings, suitings, sarees and draperies. Polyester is mixed with fibreglass for moulding it into helmets, protective sheets and hulls in boats. Other than fibre, itis used for making magnetic audio and video cassettes and floppy dises. = 4, Acrylic & lh Acrylic fibre is commonly known by different trade names such as ‘Acrilan, ‘Orion, ‘Cresian’ and ‘Zefran’. itis a synthetic woollike fibre with crimps. Properties of acrylic ‘¢ Fibre is soft with crimps resembling wool ‘+ Its durable, ight in weight and washable. ‘© It is strong and stain resistant and can be dyed in different colours It is resistant to moths. Acrylic is also available in the form of sheets. Fig. 3.5. Synthetic wool—Acrylic Deere peeves and acrylic sheet Acrylic knitting wool is good for baby wears which are soft, warm to wear and washable. Acrylic wool is used for making artificial fur, blankets, carpets, uphostry and fibre for filling pillows and quilts. One of the variety of acrylic plastic is trensparent and is used as covering over automobile lights, costume jewellery, lenses, surgical tools and transparent sheets. 5. Lycra or Spandex ‘A fibre with great elasticity stretchable to 600 times with the ability to return to its original shape intact. It is greatly used by stage performers who require clothes with snug fitting, Its greatly used in swimsuits, T-shirts and universaksize caps in combination with cotton,Plastics and Their Uses eS SSS ee) 1. Poiyethylenecr | Low-density polyethylene: A product of elvene. Used for making buckets, polthene (.0Pe): | squeery bottles, bows and packaglng material ncludingcaryags Polythene Sheets ae used as coverings for protection from rain, for polypacks end sachets LOPE isso and faible. 2. Polypropylene or | Derived from polymeration of propene gas. A colourless wanaparent potropene (P): | thermoplastic material commonly Used for making transparent containers, water pipes and pie titngs, body ofthe automobile barterles an toy 3. Polyvinyl chloride | itis polymersed vinyl chloride. Most commonly used for plumbing materia, (ove furniture, doors, shoes, soft toys, gramophone records, CDs, raincoat bathroom curtains, handoags and insulating electric cables (wires) ts ete solution na solvents used as spray coating on eaton sk, or rayon fobs to ‘make them waterproot, sainproof snd dust resktan. 7. Powayrens:(PSi | Used for making kitchenware, measuring cups, and on ming wth patie rubber ite used in lningrefrgerators. Ar bubbled polystyrene Is Used as insulators (thermocol) boxes for storing ice or for packaging gadgets. 5: Poyetr-fuore | Special laste on whieh oll and water do not stick and i withstands ethylene (PT) | high temperatures hence useel 9s a coating in cooking tenis and non sti pans. shor name given its Teflon. © Polyrethone (PU) | The foam pastes: t may be made nto ary spongy s0R Sheets being used in rmaresse for beds, lings in cshions and sofa seats, and. the hard foam 's Used in insulting bulleings ane roving fle celng and inner ings _zeroplanes. 7. Polyethylene Used for making microwave ovenware, sturdy bottles for aerated (carbon- tetrapthalate (PET) _| sted) drinks. High Density Used for making non-corvosive Industrial containers for storing chemical, Polyethylene (HOPE) | including acids. HDPE is hard, strong and with itl flexi