Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute

Fibers and Biopolymer Research Institute

Olivia Utley

Texas Tech University

Everyone in the United States wears some sort or manufactured article of clothing whether the clothing pieces is a t-shirt, pair of pants or even a pair of socks. Once a fiber is picked, there is a long process until it becomes and fabric to be used. Once to process is completed, companies can use these fabrics to create clothing for the public.

            The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock, Texas takes part in this manufacturing process as well as the testing process. The beginning stage, after the fiber is picked, is a cleaning process. There are several machines that work to get all the dirt and grime, as well as short fibers, separated from the usable material. The next step is opening and stretching the fibers to go until the weaving process.

            Fibers can be separated into two different weaving processes. These processes decide what specific use the fibers will be used for. After the fibers have been woven into yarns, they go onto another machine, or loom. These looms interlace the yarns to create large forms of fabrics. The fabrics are then turned into an article of clothing.

            Once these fibers are turning into a sheet of fabric, it is then tested in the same facility. One of the tests that fabric goes through is the abrasion test. This test determines how much the fabric can resist abrasion, or tears. Fabric is cut into small pieces then placed in the machine that rubs the fabric in small geometric eclipses. Different weights are tested against the fabric as well to get a more accurate measurement. There are several ways to take a reading from this test. One option is when two or more yarns have been broken and a hole appears. Another is if there is a difference in the shade or appearance of the fabric. The last option is when there is a loss of mass.

            Another test that is done on fabrics is a breaking force and elongation test. Fabric is cut into a strip and hooked up to the machine. Clamps are attached at the top of bottom of the fabric and pulled until the fabric reaches its breaking point. This test determines the strength of the yarns. This is important information for the manufactures to know. This process is done very quickly and is hard to get an exact reading by watching the machine yourself. A computer helps record the information for a more accurate result.

            The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute is not only responsible for creating good pieces of fabric, but also helping manufacturing companies test their fabric to produce more efficient fabrics. These machines help companies know whether their fabric is ready to stand up again any challenge that the user will put it up against. It is important for each fabric that will be used for an article of clothing is able to withstand anything.  

Fabrics: Nylon

Fabrics: Nylon

Olivia Utley

Texas Tech University

During World War II, the United States had been banned from exporting silk fabrics to Asia and other countries. The Du Pont Company in Delaware began research on experimentation with plastic fibers to create a synthetic fabric to be used to replace silk. Silk played an important role during WWII because it was used for parachutes. A new fabric needed to be made.

In 1938, Wallace Hume Carothers, who worked for the Du Pont Company, invented the first Nylon fabric. Nylon is a polyamide fiber “derived from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid” and made from petrochemicals (Kannadaguli & Korta). It is designed to have rugged durability, to be strong and resistant to tears and abrasions, to be elastic, lightweight, attractive, well insulated and to resist heat, water and molds. This new fabric was ideal for women’s stockings. In 1939, this new production was introduced to the public at the World’s Fair in New York. The sales were so successful “over 72,000 pairs of nylon stockings were purchased in the U.S. on the first day they were released, and 64 million in the first year” (Moore). Nylon has many positive attributes, as well as being inexpensive; it was the ideal fabric to replace many products silk was used to create.

Nylon was first used to create hairbrushes in 1938, but moved towards hosiery and commercial production in the 1940’s. These “Nylon’s” began at the feet and wrapped the leg to mid-thigh and fastened at a garter belt. It was considered a “wash and wear” product because you could wash the fabric and wear without ironing before; it is considered a “wrinkle-free” fabric. Then in the 1960’s, Nylon was introduced as a one-piece “panty hose”.  Nylon is also used to create different productions such as “flags, toothbrush bristles, racket strings, machines parts” (NY Fashion Center) as well as “basketball nets, carpeting, clothing, fishing lines, strings for guitars and other musical instruments, surgical sutures… vehicle upholstery and many others” (Moore).

The creation of Nylon came out of an experimentation to replace another fabric that was used extensively during the late 1930’s. Although it served its original purpose, the use of Nylon exploded to help create many different products. The production of Nylon continues to expand and will always be involved in current and future productions.

Kannadaguli, M, & Kotra, R. (2004, APRIL). Nylon fibers. Retrieved from http://www.engr.utk.edu/mse/Textiles/Nylon%20fibers.htm

Moore, Shelley. (1999-2011). The History of Nylon. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_4580060_history-nylon.html

NY Fashion Center, Initials. (2010). Nylon Fabric Information. Retrieved from http://www.nyfashioncenterfabrics.com/nylon-fabric-info.html