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
[2]
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.[1]
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
.[3]
'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.[1]
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
.[4]
Fiber properties can be
modified in a wide range
with additives (e.g. UV-,
thermal resistance,
antibacterial,
flame retardant).[5]
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.[6] 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.[2]
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.
[1] - 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
[1]. 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] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Kadolph, Sara J., Langford, Anna L., (2002), Textile, Ninth Edition., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice Hall pp 109-113
- ^ a b http://www.fibersource.com
- ^ http://www.filamentfiber.com
- ^ http://www.fabrics.net
- ^ a b http://www.asota.com
- ^ http://www.fabriclink.com/RF-ED-History.html
