MAN MADE MATERIALS

Synthetic fibres and plastics consists of polymers. Normally the things you observe around you in your routine life are
made of polymers, like shirts, jeans and clothing are made up of synthetic fabrics and
kids playing toys, cable wires etc are made up of plastics.A
polymer
is a large molecule of high molecular mass formed by the repetitive bonding of many small molecules called monomers.
The process by which the monomers are transformed into polymers is called
polymerisation
As polymers are single big size molecules, they are also called
macromolecules.
Classification of polymers on the basis of source:(
a)Natural polymers: Proteins, cellulose, starch, resins and rubber.(
b)Semi–synthetic polymers: Cellulose derivatives as cellulose acetate (rayon) and cellulose nitrate, etc.(
c)Synthetic polymers: Plastic (polythene), synthetic fibres (nylon 6, 6) and synthetic rubbers (Buna – S).As you have
already studied about natural fibres (cotton, silk, wool, etc.) and their processing in earlier classes. Now we will discuss
about synthetic fibres in detail.
SYNTHETIC FIBRES
Fibres which are man made and manufactured artificially from chemicals are called synthetic fibres.A few commonly
used synthetic fibres are rayon, nylon and polyester (terylene).
Characteristics of Synthetic Fibres
Clothes made from synthetic fibres are stronger and do not wrinkle easily. They also dry easily. But they have less air
spaces in themthan natural fibres and do not 'breathe' so well. They also cannot absorb sweat. These properties make
them unsuitable for hot andhumid weather.
Advantages of Synthetic Fibres:
(i)They are tough and durable.(ii)They are water-resistant and easy to dry.(iii)They do not bleed colour when washed.
(iv)Unlike natural fibres, they do not shrink on washing.(v)They do not wrinkle as they retain crease longer.
(vi)They trap the heat in our body.(vii)They make us sweatend.(viii)They are not very comfortable.
Disadvantages of Synthetic Fibres
A big disadvantage of synthetic fibres is that they melt on heating. If the cloths catch fire, it can be disastrous. They
contain chemicalswhich may harm our skin. Another disadvantage is that the clothes made of synthetic fibres are not
suitable to wear during hot summer weather.
RAYON
Rayon is first man-made fibre which was developed in France in 1884 to offer a cheaper alternative to silk textiles.
Rayon resembles silk in appearance. Hence it is also known as artificial silk. It is produced from natural cellulose by its
chemical treatment. The cellulose required for making rayon is obtained from wood pulp. Wood pulp is first dissolved in
an alkaline solution. The thick liquid produced is then passed through tiny holes of a metal cylinder which is known as
spinneret to make fibres. The fibres are hardened by passing them into a bath of sulphuric acid. The fibres are then
spun into yarn and woven into cloth.
Properties of Rayon
(i)Low warmth, good to drape, not durable, creases easily and needs ironing.(ii)Rayon fibre has the same comfort
property as natural fibres.(iii)Rayon can easily be dyed in variety of colours.(iv)Usual rayon fibres
recommended care
for dry cleaning purpose only.(v)Rayon fabrics are soft, smooth, cool, comfortable, and highly absorbent, but they do
not insulate body heat, making them ideal for use in hot and humid climates
Uses of Rayon
(i)It is the most commonly used semi-synthetic fibre and is used in:Textile industry for making textiles
(fabrics)•Manufacture of tyres Medical field for making
bandages
 and
surgical dressing.
(ii)Rayon’s thin fibres have ability to allow clothing to breathe more than other fabrics, which makes it a good choice for
the design of sportswear and sundresses that are expected to provide coolness and comfort.(iii)Rayon when mixed with
wool is used to make carpets
Note: Rayon was originally called artificial silk but now the name Rayon is given to all fibres obtained buy chemical
treatment of cellulose . thus artificial; silk is a polysaccharide i.e. cellulose derivative
NYLON
It is the first man made completely synthetic fibre. First introduced by Wallace Carotters on 28th February 1935. The
chemical compounds used in making nylon are now obtained from petroleum products called petrochemicals. Actually, nylon
is made up of repeating units of a chemical called an amide. So, nylon is a polyamide. Nylon is a thermoplastic polymer. It was
made simultaneouslyin New York (NY) and London (LON) thus it has derived the name NYLON.
Properties of Nylon
(i)It possesses good strength. Nylon is a very strong but light weight material. Its strength does not lost with age.(ii)It possesses
good elasticity. It stretches but also regains its original shape easily.(iii)It is moth and alkaline resistant(iv)It is inert to
many chemicals and solvents(v)It is wrinkle resistant(vi)Nylon fibrics absorb very little water. So nylon clothes are very easy
to wash and dry.(vii)Nylon fabrics has low resistance to sunlight.
Uses of Nylon
It is used for making(i)fishing nets, car seat belts, strings for sports rackets etc(ii)ropes used for mountaineering parachute
fibres, tyre cords etc.(iii)machine parts in form of plastics.(iv)material in dress socks, swim wear, shorts, track pants, active
wear, wind breakers, draperies and bedspreads.(v)carpets, textile fibres, bristles for brushes, track suits, combat uniforms,
swim wears and women stockings.(vi)a substitute for metals in ball bearings and gears.
Note: High temperature are able to melt nylon. Because of this fact, when ironing item made of nylon you should set your
iron at a low setting and turn the item over onto the wrong side.
Q - Nylon is a natural or synthetic fibre?
Ans- Nylon is polyamide which are natural but nylon is man made fibre
POLYESTER: It is a general name for synthetic fibres that contain many ester groups. Alcohols and organic acids react
together to make compounds called esters which polymerises to form polyesters. Terylene or Dacron is the best example.
The chemical compounds used in making polyester fibres are made from petroleum products called petrochemicals. Like
nylon polyester is also a thermoplastic polymer. Polyester blended with cotton and wool are called polycot and poly wool
respectively. Polycot contain 55% polyesters and 45% wool.
Properties of Polyester
(i)Polyester fabrics and fibres are extremely strong.(ii)Polyester is very durable; resistant to most chemicals, wrinkle
resistant, mildew and abrasion resistant.(iii)Polyester is hydrophobic in nature and quick drying. It can be used for
insulation by manufacturing hollow fibres.(iv)Polyester retains its shape and hence is good for making outdoor
clothing
for harsh climates.
Uses of Polyester
(i)It is used for making shirts, trousers, sarees, and other dress materials.(ii)It is used for making sails for sailing boats.(iii)It
is used for making fire-hoses and conveyer belts.(iv)Due to its strength and tenacity polyester was also used to make ropes
in industries(v)Now a days PET bottles are one of the most popular uses of polyester (vi)Polyester is also used for making
nets, thread, raincoats, jackets, clothing, and medical textiles
Among synthetic fibres the polyesters are most widely used They account for about one half of all synthetic fibres
ACRYLIC: Acrylic is a synthetic fibre. This is made from a chemical called ‘acrylonitrile’ through Polymerisation.
Acrylic is a commonly used clothing material. It is light weight, soft and warm, has a wool-like feel, can be easily dyed, does
not shrink or wrinkle and insect resistant. It is easy to maintain and is often used as an alternative to expensive Woolen
fabrics like cashmere. It tends to form fuzz and is not as pure wool.
Properties of Acrylic
(i)It is more flexible and shock resistant than glass. (ii)It is abrasion resistant and resistant to UV and chemical damage.
(iii)Acrylic can transmit or filter ultraviolet light and is easily cleaned. (iv)It is easily cut, corrosion resistant and a good
insulator.
Uses of Acrylic
The application of acrylic include; windows, aircraft canopies, automobile tail lights, hobby crafts, sunscreens, lighting
fixtures,
furniture
; table tops, sign boards, decorating panels, windshields, camera lenses, aquariums, toys, incubators, appliances and
security shields.

Note: Acryline is extremely strong If it breaks or gets damaged, it will not shatter.
PLASTICS: A plastic is a synthetic material, which can be moulded or set into any desired shape when soft, and then harden
to produce articles. Some plastic has linear and some have cross links. They are usually synthetic, most derived from
petrochemicals, but many are partially natural. The first man-made plastic was created by Alexander Parkes who publicly
demonstrated it at the 1862 in Great International Exhibition in London. Plastic is an organic material of high molecular
weight with specific properties. Most of the plastics are polymers having long chains.
Classification of Plastics
Plastics can be broadly classified as :(i) Thermoplastic and (ii) Thermosetting Plastics.
(i)Thermoplastic material:
A plastic material that can be melted repeatedly by heating and can be moulded again and again into different shapes is
called
thermoplastic material: A thermoplastic material becomes soft on heating and hard on cooling. These plastics can be
moulded into toys, beads, buckets, telephone, and television cases. Examples of thermoplastics
are polythene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene. Shower curtains, and pipes are most often made of PVC.
(ii)Thermosetting Plastics:
A plastic substance, which once set, does not soften on heating is known as thermosetting plastic. A
thermosetting plastic
can be used only once. They are used in a situation where resistance to heat is important. Examples of thermosetting
plastics are bake lite, melamine and urea formaldehyde resin. They are used in a situation where resistance to heat is
important.

Differences between Thermoplastics and Thermosetting Plastics

Property Thermoplastics Thermosetting Plastics
1} Effect of heat Soften at 70°C to 90°C Do not soften easily
2} Strength Comparatively weaker Comparatively stronger
3} Reusability Can be reused after melting Can not be remelted or reused
4} Flexibility They are flexible They are hard and rigid.
Note: Plasticizers are non volatile liquids which are added to a polymer such as PVC to make it soft and readily workable on
heating.

Note: As polymeric chains in the thermosetting plastic form cross links, this in turn prevents the plastic from melting once
heated after initial forming and cooling. If you again heat it a lot it would burn, not melt. So, using it in a kettle is good
because it won't rust, it is electrically safe and it won't go soft and floppy w hen hot. Whereas thermoplastics
possesses intermolecular forces this property allows thermoplastics to be remolded because the intermolecular interactions
spontaneously reform upon cooling.