Polyolefine

Olefine:

A manufactured fibre in which the fibre firming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene or other olefine units except amorphous (non  crystalline) polyolefines qualifying as Rubber.

Polyolefine fibres are of two types —

I)                   Polyethylene fibres.

II)                Polypropylene fibres.

I)       Polyethylene fibres:

 Fibres spun from polymers or copolymers of ethylene.

                                                            CH₂=CH₂

II)    Polypropylene fibres:

 Fibres spun from polymers or copolymers of propylene.

When propylene is polymerized under certain conditions it will give fibre forming substance, i.e. polypropylene.

                                                                CH3                        CH3

 

n CH3-CH=CH2                    –CH–CH2–CH–CH2–CH–CH2–CH–CH2–                                           

                                                          CH3                              CH3

                                                                Polypropylene

Commercial name:

Polyethylene: — Courlene, Vynene-1, Velon LP

Physical properties:

1. Tenacity                                  : 3.5-8.0 gm/den.
2. Stretch ability                          : 40% elongation at break.
3. Moisture regain                       : 0.1%.
4. Specific gravity                       : 0.9 – 0.91.
5. Dimensional stability              : unaffected by water

  Not shrink below 150^oC.

6. Resiliency                                : Good to excellent.
7. Abrasion resistance                 : Excellent.

Chemical properties:

1. Acids                                       : Good resistance to most acids.                                
2. Alkalis                                     : High resistance to all alkalis.
3. Bleaches                                  : Good resistance to all bleaches below 150^oF.
4. Organic Solvents                     : Resistant to petroleum and fluoro carbons.             
5. Sunlight                                   : Suffers loss of strength.
6. Heat                                        : Heat sensitive.
7. Dye ability                              : Pigment is soluble.
8. Flammability                           : Slow burning and melt.
9. Electrical                                 : Conductive.
10. Thermal                                   : Good insulator.

Uses:

o   Monofilament yarn: Seat cover of car, outdoor furniture, carpet backing, Ropes etc.

o   Multifilament: Upholstery, carpet face yarn, pile fabrics backing and industrial uses materials.

o   Fibrillated yarn: Carpet backing, ropes, netting.

o   Spun yarn: All kinds of dresses.

o   Textured yarn: Carpet, sweater and sportswear.