Group 1 Assignment 8
Determining Fibers for Various Uses
1. For a high luster, moderate cost evening dress (e) acetate
Linen, although more lustrous than cotton, doesn’t have smooth surfaces that most manufactured fabrics have. Mohair has a very high luster and a slippery surface, but is usually used for men’s and women’s suits. Silk has a high luster but isn’t as bright as manufactured fibers that have round cross sections. Ramie, or “China grass” has a higher luster than linen but has low flexibility and is expensive to produce. Acetate has a bright appearance and good luster. It is used for wedding and party attire and is fairly inexpensive which makes it the logical choice.
The jacket has an acetate lining.
2. For simulated fur fabric (c) modacrylic
Nomex, a costly, high strength fabric would be more appropriate for use in uniforms for firefighters, race car drivers, and refinery workers. Rayon, once called “artificial silk”, is made from fibrous wood pulp is often blended to be used for anything from “cotton balls” to wearing apparel. Saran is a stiff, nondrapable fiber that has a variety of industrial uses. Saran even if blended with other fibers isn’t used for apparels. Wool can be blended with real fur for soft texture, but is used to make sweaters, blankets, and fleece-like fabrics. Modacrylic is used for a plethora of different products including anything from paint rollers to wigs. Modacrylic can be applied to simulate textures and characteristics of fur fibers.
The wig is made of modacrylic fibers.
3. For blending with cotton in a permanent press man’s shirt (c)polyester
Polyethylene is thermally stable, high in strength, and much like Nomex is usually used for uniforms for firefighters and industrial workers, but is also used for filters. Acrylic when blended with other fibers is used to make sweaters, fleece fabrics, blankets, socks, draperies, etc. Acrylic is most appropriate for apparel worn in cold weather. Modacrylic, although ideal for a simulated fur fabric, is inappropriate for a permanent press man’s shirt. Triacetate is more wrinkle resistant than acetate and when used for apparel has good pleat and shape retention. However, blending wasn’t mentioned when reading about triacetate uses. Polyester, usually blended with cotton, is used to make durable press fabrics which would make it the ideal choice.
This Jacobite Kilt Shirt is a polyester/cotton blend with a braided nylon drawcord.
4. For unlined curtains in a south-facing window (a) acrylic.
Acrylic is very resistant to degradation in sunlight and thus ideal for use in curtains. Acetate, though a good material for curtains, is not as resistant to sunlight and thus not as useful. Silk is not useful in this instance due to its need to be lined. Otherwise it will fade in the sun. Viscose rayon is not known for its durability but for its aesthetic qualities. It is better suited to apparel than curtains. Nylon is very durable but not attractive enough to be used in curtains.
This beaded acrylic curtain can easily withstand sunlight but is also attractive enough to place in a home.
5. For carpet in an office building (a) polypropylene.
Polypropylene is ideal in use for carpets that are not needed as much for looks but for durability. Polypropylene is also stain, abrasion, and moth resistant. Nylon is also used in carpets, but is not as stain resistant as polypropylene. Nylon is used more for carpets that must be aesthetically pleasing. Wool is often used in warm clothing because it is a great insulator. It is not as stain resistant and easy to care for as manufactured product though. Acrylic is often used on materials need for outdoor use due to its resistance to sunlight. An office building would have carpets indoors and thus acrylic would not be needed. Cotton is very easy to clean but not durable enough to be used for carpeting. It is more often used in various types of clothing.
This polypropylene carpet has just recently been layed in this office.
6. For reinforcing material in a composite for sports applications (a) carbon.
Carbon fibers are often mixed with other materials to help reinforce plastic composites. The composites are also lightweight and thus easily maneuvered during sporting events. The fibers are often used in golf clubs, tennis rackets, and fishing poles. Polyethylene terephthalate is often found in soft drink bottles, sleeping bags, carpeting, and pillows. It is not durable enough for use in sports equipment. Vinal is mostly for industrial uses and other specialty applications. Polyvinyl alcohol films exhibit high abrasion resistance, elongation, tensile strength, and flexibility. They are more often used as films and not for sports applications.
Each of these equipment pieces is often made of carbon or uses a carbon blend in its production.
Comments
Great web page! It's full of good information as well as pictures that give adequate examples for your arguements and keep the page from being only dull information. Group 7
I love the new assignment page... very informative and nice look!
David Group 6
I love the pictures on your page. Your arguments for which fiber is better are well thought out. I especially like golfing and fishing
IV (Group 13)
Great page. The pictures made your page very appealing. very interesting. David Group 12
Link to this Page
- Group 1 Tina, Susan and Aenslee last edited on 22 November 2002 at 10:06:05 pm by r71h113.res.gatech.edu