Chemical fibres: Present and future

Abstract

677.4.003 In the more than hundred-year history of chemical fibres, their role in the production of consumer materials and articles and the evolution of science and technology is indisputable. Manufacture of chemical fibres is increasing from year to year, and for this reason it is very interesting to predict the future prospects for the evolution of this industry, the appearance of new types, and the possible replacement of some types of fibres by others.The world's population is currently approximately 6 billion people, and the per capita consumption of fibres is estimated at approximately 7-8 kg a year. This figure is unevenly distributed between regions as a function of the climate, level of development of the countries, and other reasons. It is much higher in developed countries and countries with colder climates. According to the predictions of sociologists, Earth's population in the first half of the next century will approach 10-12 billion, and the increase in the demand for fibres and fibre materials per capita, including the needs of evolving technology, could be 12-15 kg and higher, which corresponds to the demand for fibres in developed countries.Production of natural fibres--cotton,jute, flax, hemp, and natural silk--attained 26-27 million tons, and approximately the same amount of chemical fibres is manufactured, not counting silicate and other inorganic fibres. Production of natural fibres could increase slightly as a result of use of enhanced agricultural technology, creation of more productive plant varieties, and optimization of the use of fertilizers and agents for controlling pests and diseases, but it is not possible to count on a significant increase in their manufacture since cultivated areas in the future will primarily be required for growing agricultural food products. Production of natural fibres will thus gradually approach a limit which is estimated at 30-35 million tons. The consequence of this is that all demand in the future should be satisfied by chemical fibres by constantly increasing their production.In analyzing the evolution of chemical fibre production, it is necessary to consider a number of factors that affect this process, including improvement of technology; reduction of power and materials consumption; decreased hazardousness of production and elimination of harmful emissions; creation of technologies based on new principles; expansion of the assortment and production of new kinds of fibres; possibility of replacing certain fibres by others.The demands for the quality of chemical fibres are also changing significantly --"wearer-friendly" fibres and fibre materials have become increasingly necessary (they have now been combined under the term "Shin-gosen," introduced for the first time in 1982 in Japan); ultrastrong, thermostable, and other wear-resistant fibres are required in technology.All kinds of chemical fibres and thread can be broken down into three fundamental groups by production volumes and use: large-tonnage domestic and general use; large-and medium-tonn...

Effect of Carbon Nanoparticles on Properties of Polyetherimide Fibers

“…Melt extrusion of thermoplastic polyimide powders would eliminate the need for solutions, coagulating baths, and additional processing to remove volatiles and to achieve thermal imidization. Melt-spun fibers have the properties to permit processing into useful articles using normal textile equipment [8].…”