Togi Suzuki

Overview of Functional and Speciality Fibers

The development of functional and speciality fibers, which have equivalent performances of easy-care properties of man-made fibers, superior touch and appearance of silk and wool, and outstanding moisture and water-absorbing abilities of cotton, was started shortly after the birth of man-made fibers. Afterward, the application of functional and speciality fibers has expanded toward high-touch, moisture and water absorbability, heat insulation and exothermicity, enhanced color developability, antistatic and conductivity, antibacterial and deodorant, flame retardant and proofing properties, and have contributed to our comfortable, healthy, safe, and environment friendly life. In the development of the functional and speciality fibers, Japan has cultivated the world’s top level of development capability. The driving force of this Japanese R&D originates with the development of technologies that consist of the trinity of polymer, fiber and yarn, and post-processing modifications, together with biomimetic approaches, to learn the structure and functions of living organisms in the natural world. In this chapter, the key production technologies of functional and speciality fibers are presented with comments on representative examples of the fibers.

Moisture and Water Control Man-Made Fibers

Moisture and water absorption properties of clothes are very important for the excellent wearing comfortability. Moisture-absorbing materials absorb gas-phase water and suppress humidity rise within clothing. Water-absorbing materials absorb and diffuse liquid-phase perspiration, increase the amount of evaporation heat transfer, and expedite the heat dissipation. At one time, many research projects were conducted to provide man-made fibers, which are hydrophobic innately, with moisture and water absorption ability as well as natural fibers. At the present, however, moisture and water absorption abilities of some man-made fibers exceed those of natural fibers. And also, according to the development of assessment technologies of consumption science for wearing comfortability, man-made fibers with excellent moisture and water absorption abilities, which cannot be attained by natural fibers, have been developed and used for sports and inner wears. Specifically, perspiration-absorbent and quick-drying materials, polyacrylate fibers which have 3.5 times larger moisture absorption ability than that of cotton, man-made fibers with improved moisture-absorbing and moisture-releasing abilities, materials with self-controlling functions, and yarn and knitted or woven fabric composite structural materials, are examples. In this chapter, basic scientific knowledge and the evaluation methods of moisture and water absorption, current moisture- and water-absorbing materials, imparting method of these abilities, etc., are presented.