Advantages and Limitations of Various Synthetic Fibres

Viscose or Rayon

Advantages

• Viscose rayon is suitable for wide range of fabrics from lightweight luxury types that drape well to heavy, strong, durable types that are stiff and crisp.
• It can be dyed easily with all the dyes that take on to cellulosic fibres.
• It blends well with other fibres.
• It is very absorbent.
• It can be given a variety of finishes.
• It can be laundered or dry-cleaned, depending on the dye used or the finish given.
• It can be bleached with chlorine bleaches but peroxide bleach is preferable.

Limitations

• Fibres are weaker than cotton and weaker still when wet.
• Abrasion resistance is poor.
• Fabrics wrinkle easily because of the poor resiliency of the fibres.
• Fabrics have very poor dimensional stability due to progressive shrinkage of the fibres.
• Rayon is susceptible to mildew.
• It is damaged more easily than cotton by mineral acids.
• Fabrics require low ironing temperature.

Polynosic Fibres

Advantages

• Fabric possesses better strength than viscose or rayon.
• Dimensional stability of the fabric is good.
• Abrasion resistance is better than that of viscose rayon.
• Fabrics may be crisp and firm with good drapability.
• Fabrics are absorbent.
• Fabrics are good conductors of heat, hence are good for summer.
• Their luster is subdued resembling that of silk.
• Polynosics can be given resin treatment for wrinkle resistance without any loss in strength.
• Fibres/Fabrics can be dyed and printed like cotton.
• Fabrics are easy to launder and can also be dry-cleaned.

Limitations

• Fabrics are weakened by sunlight.
• Fibre has poor resiliency.
• Fabrics require low ironing temperatures.
• Polynosics are susceptible to mildew.

Acetate

Advantages

• Fabrics have a luxurious soft feel and silky appearance.
• Acetate has excellent draping qualities.
• Since the fibres are thermoplastic durable surface effects like embossing, schreinering, moireing, cireing can be given to the fabric.
• It can be dyed with disperse dyes or it can be dope dyed. Dope dyed fabrics have excellent fastness to light, crocking, perspiration, washing and gas-fading.
• Fabrics are unaffected by mildew or moth.
• It can be bleached with hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate at low temperatures.

Limitations

• Acetate fabrics have poor absorbency.
• They are weak when wet.
• Acetate has poor abrasion resistance.
• Fabrics build up static electricity.
• Fibre dissolves in acetone and acetic acid.
• Fibre weakens on exposure to sunlight.
• It requires special dyes.

Nylon

Advantages

• Nylon is very strong even when wet.
• It is resilient and elastic.
• Fabrics are dimensionally stable.
• It is unaffected by alkalis.
• It has excellent abrasion resistance.
• Fabrics are unaffected by mildew and moths.
• Fabrics can be heat-set to retain pleats.
• It resists water-borne stains.
• It washes easily and dries quickly.
• The fabric may be either laundered or dry-cleaned and can be bleached or treated with fluorescent brighteners.
• Fabrics need little or no ironing.

Limitations

• Fabrics are damaged by sunlight.
• Fabrics build up static electricity.
• Fabrics absorb oil and oily soils. Oil stains are difficult to remove.
• Nylon melts in fire.
• Fabrics made from staple fibre tend to pill. This mars the surface appearance.
• White nylon tends to pick up dyes and soils in laundering.
• Low ironing temperature is required.

Polyester

Advantages

• Polyester fabrics are very strong.
• Fabrics are wrinkle resistance.
• Fabrics have good dimensional stability.
• Polyester has high abrasion resistance.
• It can be texturized.
• Fabric can be heat-set to retain pleats or creases.
• Fabrics have excellent wash and wear characteristics. They show smooth drying properties.
• Polyester can be laundered or dry-cleaned.
• It can be bleached.
• It can be dyed with disperse dyes.
• Fabrics are resistant to moth and mildew.
• Polyester blends well with other fibres to increase the wrinkle resistance, of the other fibre and its wash and wear properties.

Limitations

• Polyester staple fibre fabrics tend to pill.
• They build up static charge.
• They have low absorbency.
• They have poor affinity for dyes.
• They have an affinity for oily soil and oil borne stains.
• Polyester melts in fire.
• Polyester can withstand moderate ironing temperatures.

Acrylic/Modacrylic

Advantages

• Fabrics are light in weight and have a pleasant feel.
• Have good bulking properties.
• Can be heat-set for dimensional stability and for pleat retention.
• Fabrics have good wrinkle resistance.
• Show warmth characteristics similar to that of wool.
• Resistant to acids, alkalis and bleaches.
• Apparel can be easily laundered or dry-cleaned.
• Have good resistance to weathering and microbial attack.

Limitations

• Fabrics have low absorbency.
• Fabrics build up static electricity.
• Fabrics may pill depending on yarn construction.
• They are prone to retaining oil stains.
• Melt and decompose in fire.

You may also like: Advantages and Limitations of various Natural fibres