Test: Synthetic Fibres & Plastics- 1 - UPSC

Synthetic fibers are made from petroleum polymers and are often less expensive than their natural plant and animal counterparts. These synthetics first appeared on the scene with artificial silk in 1894, and other fibers were developed throughout the 20th century, such as Rayon, Nylon, Acrylic and Polyester.

So, dacron, acrylon and acrylic are petroleum products.

The process of change of solid substance into its liquid state is called melting or fusion. The constant temperature at which the solid becomes liquid upon absorption of heat at constant pressure is called the melting point of that solid at that pressure.

Rayon is called as artificial silk. It is obtained from wood pulp containing cellulose. Chemical treatment of wood pulp forms rayon fibre which can be dyed in a variety of colours.

When plastic is burnt, they release toxic gases that includes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide etc. They cause air pollution.

Plastics are non biodegradable, resistant to weather and durable. Plastic can be recycled too. It is used to make chairs, rope, bucket and a number of other utensils.

Polyester is blended with wool to give terry wool. Terry wool is used to make winter dresses and other kinds of fabrics. It is durable and easy to wash.

Synthetic clothes catch fire very easily.Fabric can melt and stick to the body of the person wearing it.

Protein, animal fibres are natural fibres that consist largely of particular proteins. Instances are silk, hair/ fur and feathers. The animal fibres used most commonly both in the manufacturing world  as well as by the hand spinners are wool from domestic sheep and silk.

Raw materials for the synthetic fibres are derived from petroleum products using a number of processes. Therefore, these fibres are called as synthetic fibres.

PET is  polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic resin and a form of polyester. Polyethylene terephthalate is a polymer that is formed by combining two monomers: modified ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid. The first PET bottle was recycled in 1977.

“nylon” came from “New York” and “London”, because two chemists thought up the word on an intercontinental flight from one of the cities to the other.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic which can be remoulded by heating. It is used for making pipes and other materials which is flexible and durable.

Unbreakable kitchenware is made from melamine. Melamine is a thermosetting plastic is resistant to fire and can tolerate heat better than other plastics.

Melamine is a thermosetting plastic as it cannot be moulded by heating. Polyester, Nylon and PTFE are thermoplastic that can be change in shape by heating.

Yarn is twisted to form thread. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibre.

Rayon is a man-made fibre obtained from natural source. Rayon is obtained by chemical processing of pulp of wood containing cellulose.

The first fully synthetic fibre was nylon. It was prepared from coal, water and air. It is very strong, elastic and light, it is very easy to wash and used for making variety of things like socks, ropes, bags, curtains etc

Wool and acrylic is used to make woollen apparels for winter season. Wool is a natural fibre obtained from goat, sheep or yak but acrylic is made fibre which is more durable and less expensive.

When we add hot water to a plastic bottle, it gets deformed. Such plastic which gets deformed easily on heating and can be bent easily are known as thermoplastics.