Fiber Definitions — textile fibers, yarn fibers and fiber properties from Apparel Search
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. The name comes from the term olefiant gas, an early name for ethylene, meaning oil-forming. The Federal Trade Commission's definition for olefin fiber is a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units.
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. The name comes from the term olefiant gas, an early name for ethylene meaning "oil-forming".
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 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. 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.
'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. 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. fiber properties can be modified in a wide range with additives (e.g. UV-, thermal resistance, antibacterial, flame retardant).
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. 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.
| The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/olefin). Modified by Apparel Search 11/10/04 & Updated 4/8/07 |
Olefin has almost completely replaced jute in carpet backing because of its low cost, easy processing, excellent durability and suitability. That single substitution summarises the fiber: a natural fiber that had held a job for centuries, jute, lost it to olefin on cost and processing, because the synthetic fiber arrives uniform, rot-proof and cheap. Polypropylene is used more for textiles than polyethylene because of its high melting point, and the fibers are resistant to moisture and chemicals, abrasion resistant, low static, stain resistant, colourfast, strong, very comfortable and extremely lightweight; olefin is the lightest textile fiber. Some interior designers prefer olefin to most other fibers because of its attractive appearance and positive performance along with low cost compared with similar products made with different fibers, which is why the same fiber appears in indoor and outdoor carpets alike: outdoors, moisture and chemical resistance matter most; indoors, stain resistance, colourfastness and price carry the argument.
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. Other United States 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 and Universal Fiber Systems LLC. Telar by Filament Fiber Technology, Inc. is a fine-denier olefin used in blends for pantyhose, saris and swimwear, showing the fiber's range from geo-textiles and concrete reinforcement at one extreme to fine apparel blends at the other. That range, from the heaviest industrial work to the lightest textile fiber in a swimsuit blend, is olefin's distinguishing achievement: one polymer family, modified with additives across a wide range, serving nearly every textile market except the dye house, which its chemistry declines to visit.
The fibers do not take dye very well, so coloured olefin fibers are produced by adding dye directly to the polymer prior to or during melt spinning. The colour is therefore inside the fiber rather than on its surface, which is part of why olefin is colourfast in service.
Olefins are produced as monofilament, multifilament, staple fiber, tow and slit or fibrillated film yarns with variable tenacities. The fibers are waxy, colourless, and often round in cross section, and fiber properties can be modified in a wide range with additives for UV and thermal resistance, antibacterial action and flame retardancy.
In apparel, sports and active wear, socks, thermal underwear and lining fabrics. In home furnishing, indoor and outdoor carpets and carpet tiles, carpet backing, upholstery, draperies, wall coverings, slipcovers and floor coverings. In automotive work, interior fabrics, sun visors, arm rests, door and side panels, trunks and parcel shelves, and industrially in ropes, geo-textiles in contact with soil, filter fabrics, bagging, concrete reinforcement and heat-sealable paper such as tea and coffee bags.