Synthetic Fiber
Synthetic Fiber is a fiber that resulted from research and development by scientists to enhance the performance, properties, and range of uses of fiber, going beyond the ordinary fibers derived from plants and animal hair. In the early stages of inventing synthetic fiber, it began with fiber synthesized from cellulose obtained from plants.
There Are 3 Main Types of Man-Made Synthetic Fiber, Namely:
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Synthetic Cellulose Fibers
RayonRayon is a synthetic cellulose fiber, or regenerated cellulose. It was originally known as artificial silk, and later came to be called rayon, having been improved in quality until it gained acceptance among users. Rayon fiber was conceived by Robert Hooke, who recorded it in his book Micrographia, expressing his belief that there was still a way to invent a fiber to resemble silk fiber...
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Synthetic Protein Fibers
Synthetic Protein Fibers were first produced in the United States around the year 1894. At that time it was named Vandura Silk, but even so, the fiber produced in that early period still had rather poor properties, since it would dissolve when exposed to water. Later, in 1904, Todtenhaupt produced protein fiber from casein (milk whey), but it still had inadequate properties in that the fiber could not bend or bond together well, so it could not be spun into thread to weave into good-quality fabric.
Between 1924-1935, Antonio Ferretli succeeded in producing fiber from casein, and used the trade name Lanital for the first time. From then on, the production of synthetic protein fiber from casein spread to other countries, produced and sold under various trade names — for example, called Tiolan in Germany, Lactofil in Holland, Fibrolene in England, Merinova in Italy, and Aralac in the United States.
Besides producing synthetic protein fiber from casein, scientists also researched and succeeded in producing protein fiber from soybeans, peanuts, and corn — for example, Vicara from corn, Ardil from peanuts. Today only a few types of synthetic protein fiber are still produced, namely Merinova, Enkasa, and Wipolan, but in very small quantities.
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Synthetic Polymer Fibers
Synthetic fiber made from chemicals (polymer) is fiber invented from chemicals through chemical methods. There are many types, such as Nylon Polyester Acrylic Olefin and so on. Each type of fiber has different chemical components, but has a similar production process.