Definition
Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers produced entirely from synthetically manufactured polymers — that is, from plastics derived mostly from petroleum. Unlike regenerated fibers, they are not based on a natural fiber raw material but are built up through chemical synthesis. Well-known examples include polyester, polyamide, polyacrylic, and elastane.
Use in the textile industry
Synthetic fibers are dimensionally stable, durable, and quick-drying. They are used in sportswear and functional clothing, technical textiles, and blends with natural fibers. Properties such as luster, moisture transport, and elasticity can be specifically controlled through fiber cross-section design and finishing.
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You have just looked up a single technical term. In textil trainer, you learn how textile materials, processes, and contexts are connected.
The free learning platform teaches textile fundamentals step by step in interactive online courses. Each online course includes its own glossary with the most important terms of the respective topic. Across all courses, more than 600 textile terms with narrated explanations are available.
textil trainer is developed together with the Chair of Textile Technologies at Chemnitz University of Technology, chemmedia AG, and companies and educational institutions from the textile sector.