Acrylic

<div align="center"> <center><table border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td> <img border="0" src="../../graphics/Newfrontpage/scissorsNEWsmall.jpg" width="180" height="162"> </td> <td> <img border="0" src="../../graphics/Newfrontpage/newname2.jpg" width="686" height="50"> The Costumer's Manifesto is written by Tara Maginnis, and proudly hosted by William Baker. THE MANIFESTO IS MUTATING!  IT IS TURNING INTO A WIKI THAT CAN BECOME THE HIVE MIND OF ALL COSTUMERS, FINALLY LIVING UP TO IT'S SLOGAN: "COSTUMERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!" YOU CAN HELP IN THIS PROCESS BY MOVING PAGES TO THE NEW SITE AT <a href="http://thecostumersmanifesto.com">THECOSTUMERSMANIFESTO.COM</a>, HELPING TO EDIT THE PAGES THAT ARE THERE ALREADY, AND ADDING YOUR OWN ORIGINAL INPUT.  </td> </tr> </center> </table> </div>  </center> Olefin, A Fiber That Has Not Yet Reached Its Prime  By Amy Willbanks, <o:p> </o:p> Textile Fabric Consultants, Inc. 5499 Murfreesboro Rd. Suite D LaVergne, TN  37086 615-459-7510 / 800-210-9394 fax:  615-459-3744 e-mail: <a href="mailto:textilefc@aol.com">textilefc@aol.com </a>website: <a href="http://www.textilefabric.com/">www.textilefabric.com</a><o:p> <hr>  History <o:p> </o:p> Italy began producing olefin fibers in 1957.  The United States began producing olefin in 1960.  Depending upon its chemical structure, olefin may be called polyethylene or polypropylene.  It is also referred to as P2 for short.  Production Olefin is produced in much the same way as polyester and nylon.  The chemicals used to make olefin are melted and fed through a spinneret head (similar to a large showerhead)  where it then forms a long fiber.  The fiber then solidifies by some cooling process.  Variations and additives used during the manufacturing process of fibers can alter the characteristics and end uses of the fibers tremendously. Characteristics: Aesthetics The luster and texture of olefin can be modified to fit the end use.  It is usually manufactured with a smooth texture and medium luster. Color Because olefin is usually solution dyed (colorants added during fiber production), a wide range of vivid colors are available.  The selection of colors for solution dyed olefin yarns is larger than any other fiber. Olefin tends to have a waxy hand; however, the fibers can be modified to have a more attractive hand for apparel and home furnishings uses. Good abrasion resistance Dries quickly and carries moisture away from the skin Resistant to degradation by chemicals, perspiration, mildew and weather Stain resistant Olefin is not affected by most chemicals; consequently, it is not easily soiled or stained. Excellent strength The strength of olefin can be modified to fit the end use. Sunlight Olefin is affected by sunlight; however, stabilizers are added during processing to correct this problem. Colorfast Olefin holds its bright colors well and is resistant to fading.  Carpets made of olefin have been proven to have fade resistant properties of almost  three times the industry standard. Comfortable Lightweight The low density of olefin makes it possible to manufacture lightweight products that are highly durable.  Olefin is the lightest textile fiber. Low manufacturing costs Olefins low cost makes it highly competitive with other fibers that have similar qualities.    Environmentally Friendly The production of olefins leave very little waste byproducts or residue.  Olefin is easier to recycle than most other fibers.  Olefin, in its basic form, is made into packaging materials.  These materials are easily melted and reused.  Tyvek ProtectiveWear by DuPont is an olefin material that is 25% recycled.  Because olefin is usually solution dyed, the environmental problems related to dye chemicals do not exist.  Oelfin is actually beneficial to the environment through its use in erosion control fabrics. Very low moisture absorbency Waterborne stains are not a problem, due to olefins nonabsorbency. Very low static electricity problems This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for office furniture coverings, carpets and automobile interiors. Good thermal retention- Layering clothes made of olefin helps keep you warm by trapping the air in the space between the layers.  On the other hand, clothing made of olefin also keeps you cool in the summer. Excellent Resiliency Olefin recovers very quickly from wrinkling.  Olefin can be heat set, which further reduces wrinkles. Excellent Shape Retention The attractive appearance of olefin lasts for years.  <o:p> </o:p>  Care Eventhough olefin is comfortable to wear, it has a low melting point.  This factor limits its use in apparel fabrics.  Fabrics made of olefin should be spot cleaned or washed in warm or cold water.  Olefin fabrics should be air dried or dried at low temperatures.  If ironing is needed, a low temperature setting should be chosen.   End Uses  Apparel uses:   underwear                          socks                          sweaters                                                glove liners                          active sportswear                          pantyhose                          saris                          swimwear                          protective clothing  (bullet-proof vests, cut-resistant gloves)                          lining fabrics                          diaper linings  <o:p> </o:p> Hygienic uses:  diaper linings                           disposable diapers                                                             <o:p> </o:p>                           feminine hygiene products<o:p> </o:p>                           adult incontinence aids                           Medical uses:  disposable surgical non-wovens (shoe covers, gowns, caps, bedding)                         <o:p> </o:p> Home Furnishings uses:  carpets                                           carpet backings                                          upholstery                                                  draperies                                          vacuum cleaner bags                                          mattress pads                                          housing wrap (used during construction)                                                                                                             Automotive uses:  car interiors (car batteries, sun visors, headliners, arm rests, instrument       panels, car covers)                               armored vehicle door panels             Recreational uses:  interior furnishings for boats                                deck and dock surface coverings           <o:p> </o:p> Industrial uses: Geotextiles -   These are textiles that are used in or on the soil.  Many     roadbed support fabrics are made from olefin.  Petromat and Petrotak are  two of the brandnames of roadbed support fabrics.  These fabrics are used as support in highways, rail lines and parking lots to make them last longer and reduce cracking.  Olefins are also used in soil erosion control fabrics.                                              disposable fabrics                           nonwoven fabrics                           ropes -                           filter fabrics                           bags                           courier envelopes                           open-mesh fences (guard for hazardous work sites, crowd control,   decreasing weather damage outdoors)  <o:p> </o:p> Olefin, because it is easily molded, is now also being used for  appliances and automobiles.   Automotive parts made of olefin result in automobiles that last longer by reducing corrosion.  These cars also consume less fuel due to the decrease in car weight.  <o:p> </o:p> Tradenames  <o:p> </o:p>  Duon by Phillips Fiber Corp. Marvess by Phillips Fiber Corp. Petromat by Phillips Fiber Corp.   Alpha olefin by Phillips Fiber Corp. ComforMax IB by DuPont Tyvek by DuPont Fibrilawn by Fibron Corp. Fibrilon by Fibron Corp. Thinsulate by 3M Patlon by Amoco Fabrics & Fibers Co. Marquessa Lana  by Amoco Fabrics & Fibers Co. Propex III by Amoco Fabrics & Fibers Co. Duraguard by Kimberly-Clark Evolution by Kimberly-Clark Evolution III by Kimberly-Clark Polyloom by Polyloom Corp. Typar by Reemay, Inc. Biobarrier by Reemay, Inc. Spectra 900 by Allied-Signal, Inc. Spectra 1000 by Allied-Signal, Inc.  <o:p> </o:p> Trade Organization  <o:p> </o:p> American Polyolefin Association, Inc.:  This organization promotes olefin and its uses and helps display a positive image of the fiber.  <o:p> </o:p> Olefins Future Olefin has many excellent characteristics that make it suitable for many end uses.  Olefin has not reached its peak year of production. Unlike other fibers who have reached peak years,  olefin continues to grow each year.  In 1980 there were 748 million pounds of olefin were produced and in 1995 there were 2,428 pounds produced.  Look for many more labels that contain olefin in the future.  <o:p> </o:p> Sources:  <a href="http://www.fibersource.com/">www.fibersource.com</a> <a href="http://environment.about.com/culture/environment/library">environment.about.com/culture/environment/library</a><o:p> </o:p> www.apa-polyolefin.com (dead link) Sara J. Kadolph, Anna L. Langford, Textiles/...{et al}  (8th ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Simon & Schuster/A Viacom Company)  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458, pages 114-117.</o:p> <hr> Copyright Amy Willbanks            Courtesy of<a href="http://www.textilefabric.com/"> Textile Fabric Consultants</a><o:p>    <div> The Costumer's Manifesto is proudly hosted by William Baker. </div> <a href="http://www.costumes.org">Home</a>   <a href="../1pages/questions.htm">Questions</a>   <a href="../../store/100pages/giftstore.htm">Buy Books and More</a>    <a href="../../classes/254pages/teacherbio.htm">About Me</a> This Page is part of <a HREF="http://www.costumes.org">The Costumer's Manifesto</a> by <a href="mailto:tara@costumes.org">Tara Maginnis</a>, Ph.D.  Copyright 1996-2010.   You may print out any of these pages for non-profit educational use such as school papers, teacher handouts, or wall displays.  You may link to any page in my site.  </body> </html>