Study Unit 2 Fibre Theory Flashcards
Explain polymers
All substances are constructed from atoms.
Atoms combine to form molecules.
Water is a small molecule composed of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms.
Very large molecules are called macromolecules.
When they are in the form of long chains of small units (monomers) they are called linear polymers.
All fibres, whether they are from animals or plants or are manufactured, are constructed from polymers.
The most important atoms in fibre-forming polymers are:
carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O) and sulphur (S).
The bulk of the fibre is constructed from:
The basic raw material of the fibre is responsible for many of the basic properties of the fibre.
bundles of fibrils
The individual fibrils are made from
polymers.
In plant fibres, the polymers are primarily those of
cellulose.
In animal fibres,
they are proteins; keratin in wool, mohair and fur, and fibroin in silk.
Manufactured cellulosic fibres are made from:
cellulose extracted from plants
Manufactured non-cellulosic fibres are made from:
polymers, whose monomers are derived mainly from petroleum.
The fibre bulk contains two different arrangements of the polymers:
amorphous and crystalline regions.
In the amorphous regions the polymers are:
disordered
In the crystalline regions, the polymers are oriented
more or less in the same direction.
The crystalline regions give the fibre its:
strength
What occurs in the amorphous regions.
Moisture absorption and mechanical deformation occur in the amorphous regions.
