ABSTRACT
The chapter provides an in-depth discussion of new technologies globally available for manufacturing fibers. Brief glimpses of new process and materials are also highlighted. Conventional fibers for industrial use have ~2–10 g/d, and further improvement in the mechanical properties has not been successful. Therefore, superior high-performance fibers are developed by new spinning technology such as liquid crystalline spinning (Vectron) or gel spinning (Dyneema). Carbon fibers traditionally consist of large sheets, very similar to those in graphite, produced with either polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or pitch used as a precursor. Conversion of PAN fibers to carbon fibers involves three stages: oxidative stabilization, carbonization, and graphitization. High-strength carbon fibers are produced from polyacrylonitrile fibers as compared to mesophase pitch (MP) precursors. Some promising futuristic technologies are dry jet wet spinning (Kevlar), Harper’s technology (carbon), gel spinning (UHMWPE), fiber extrusion technology (FET), Hill’s bi-component fiber spinning, melt-blown systems, and friction spinning technology. Micro-denier encapsulated fibers, phase-change materials (PCMs), graphene/CNT-incorporated composite fibers, semipermeable fabrics (clothing engineering/comfort and microclimates), tri-layered breathable membrane sandwiched fabrics, film-laminated fabrics, and adhesives are the best materials for obtaining high-value technical textiles. These are emerging materials and can be blended with future fiber technologies for high-quality technical textiles. The chapter covers various aspects of innovative functional fibers: fundamental theories, principles, and operational process of promising technology; experimental results; characterization methods; and commercial applications. Research has revealed that technical fibers are promising for the development of lighter-weight multifunctional fabrics/composites with enhanced useable life and functionality.
