Metallic Fiber Final Assign
Metallic Fiber Final Assign
Metallic Fiber Final Assign
Introduction:
These metal filaments were made by beating soft metals and alloys, into thin sheets, and then
cutting the sheets into thin sheets, and then cutting the thin sheets into narrow ribbon-like
filaments .
In recent years, the ribbon filament of metal has undergone a transformation, which has changed
the commercial outlook, for this ancient product. The metal of the filament is now sandwiched
between layers of plastic, which protect it from the atmosphere and from other corrosive
influences. The multicomponent filaments produced by slitting sandwich materials of this type
are stronger and more robust than the filaments cut from metal foil alone. They retain the glitter
of the metal during prolonged periods of use, and have a soft, pleasant handle. Coloured
pigments may be added to the adhesive used in sticking the plastic films to the metal foil or
metallized film.
Metallic fibers can also be made by using the metalizing process. This process involves heating
the metal until it vaporizes then depositing it at a high pressure onto the polyester film . This
process produces thinner, more flexible, more durable, and more comfortable fibers.
Methods of Metal coating:
There are 4 methods have been developed to coat fibres and textile materials by metals, they are
1. Sputter coating
2. Coating metal powder with binders
3. Electroless coating
4. Vaccum deposition
1. Sputter Coating:
The equipment consists of a vacuum chamber containing an inert gas, usually argon, at
10-3 to 10-1 torr. The chamber is equipped with a cathode (target), which is the source of
the coating material, and an anode, which acts as a substrate holder. Application of an
electrical potential of the order of 1000 VDC, between the two electrodes, produces a
glow discharge. A flow of current occurs due to movement of electrons from cathode to
anode. The electrons ionize the argon gas. The argon ions are accelerated toward the
cathode at a high speed due to high electric potential. Considerable heat is
generatedduring the sputtering process, and it is necessary to cool the target. The
sputtered atoms and ions condense on the substrate to form a thin film of coating.But the
3.Electroless plating:
4.Vaccum Deposition:
In this process, the substrate to be coated is placed in a chamber over a set of crucibles
containing the metal to be coated in the form of a powder/wire. The chamber containing
the whole assembly is evacuated to 0.5-1 torr. The crucible is heated by resistance
heating to melt the metal. The temperature of heating is so adjusted that the vapour
pressure of the metal exceeds that of the chamber pressure, so that substantial evaporation
of the metal takes place. The temperature required for aluminium is about 1200ºC. The
roll of web to be coated is passed over a cooled drum placed over the crucibles. The
metal atoms coming out of the molten metal hit the surface of the web to be coated and
condense in the form of solid metal as it passes over the crucible. The production speed is
quite high, ranging from 150-500 m/min. The items to be coated should be pretreated for
proper adhesion of the metal.
Fiber properties
Physical properties
Metallic fibres are flat, ribbon like filaments, commonly 3.2-0.2 mm (1/8-1/128 in) width. They
are smooth-surfaced and may be coloured or uncoloured.
Tenacity:
It varies with types of metallic fibre and the range is from 2.6 cN/tex to 11.0 cN/tex i.e (0.3 g/den
to 1.25 g/den)
Elongation:
Abrasion resistance:
It has good abrasion resistance .
Chemical Properties
Acids:
Alkalis:
General:
Coated metallic filaments help to minimize tarnishing. When suitable adhesives and films are
used, they are not affected by salt water, chlorinated water in swimming pools or climatic
conditions.
Mechanical properties
As metallic yarns are used primarily for decorative purposes, they do not as a rule contribute
significantly to the strength of fabrics or garments but they may be used as a warp or weft yarns
and strong enough to withstand the weaving and knitting operations.
If possible anything made with metallic fibers should be dry-cleaned, if there is no care label.
Ironing can be problematic because the heat from the iron, especially at high temperatures, can
melt the fibers.
Producers
Currently metallic fibers are manufactured primarily in Europe with only three manufacturers
still producing metallic yarn in the United States. Metlon Corporation is one of the remaining
manufacturers in the U.S. that stocks a wide variety of laminated and non-laminated metallic
yarns .
Trademarks
The Lurex Company has manufactured metallic fibers in Europe for over fifty years. They
produce a wide variety of metallic fiber products including fibers used in apparel fabric,
embroidery, braids, knitting, military regalia, trimmings, ropes, cords, and lace surface
decoration. The majority of Lurex fibers have a polyamdie film covering the metal strand but
polyester and viscose are also used. The fibers are also treated with a lubricant called P.W., a
mineral based oil, which helps provide ease of use.
Metlon Corporation is a trademark of Metallic Yarns in the United States and has been
producing metallic yarns for over sixty years. Metlon produces their metallic yarn by wrapping
single slit yarns with two ends of nylon. One end of nylon is wrapped clockwise and the other
end is wrapped counterclockwise around the metallic yarn. The most commonly used nylon is
either 15 denier or 20 denier, but heavier deniers are used for special purposes.[8]
Uses
The most common uses for metallic fibers is upholstery fabric and textiles such as lame and
brocade . Lames are most commonly made of a polyester jacket, overlain with a thin, interwoven
metal usually steel or copper, which gives them a metallic grayish look . This apparel is
popularly used in fencing . Brocade is the special fabric in which coloured silk is used woven
with silver and gold threads which has a great demand in middle east and Asian regions . Many
people also use metallic fibers in weaving and needlepoint.
Increasingly common today are metaillic fibers in clothing, anything from party and evening
wear to club clothing, cold weather and survival clothing, and everyday wear. The shiny effect
that the fibres create has become the symbol of new mellinium . Metallic yarns are woven,
braided, and knit into many fashionable fabrics and trims. For additional variety, metallic yarns
are twisted with other fibers such as wool, nylon, cotton, and synthetic blends to produce yarns
which add novelty effects to the end cloth or trim.
FIG 9,10,11,12 Shows the apparel manufactured using Metallic fibres combined with various fibres in varying percentages
Stainless steel and other metal fibers are used in communication lines such as phonelines and
cable television lines. Stainless steel fibers are also used in carpets. They are dispersed
throughout the carpet with other fibers so they are not detected. The presence of the fibers helps
to conduct electricity so that the static shock is reduced. These types of carpets are often used in
computer-use areas where the chance of producing static is much greater.
Composite Yarns
Multi-filament metal fibre yarns can be twisted or wrapped with textile yarns to produce
composite yarns . These yarns are suitable for cut resistant apparel items, antistatic brushesfor
machines, lightning strike protection and antistatic filter bags
Other uses include tire cord, missile nose cones, work clothing such as protective suits, space
suits, and cut resistant gloves for butchers and other people working near bladed or dangerous
machinery.
New developments
a) Multi-functional textiles
b) Sensing yarn, woven/knitted into garments.
c) Inteligent textile applications.
d) Heatable textiles as the heating element
e) Weavable/knittable lead wires
f) Conductive seam ribbons for clean room garments
Sources
1. ^ Federal Trade Commission Definition
2. ^ a b Kadolph, Sara J. and Langford, Anna L. "Textiles Ninth Edition" pg. 129-130.
3. ^ a b c d e f g Textile Reference Manual: Metallic Fibers: Spinning Straw into Gold?
4. ^ Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
5. ^ AllRefer.com - Cloth of Gold
6. ^ Kim, Caroline "Humanities" The Treasures of Genghis Khan: Sept - Oct 2002 Vol. 23
#5
7. ^ Fiber Source
8. ^ a b c http://www.metlon.com/metallic.htm www.metlon.com/metallic
External links
• Lurex
• Metlon Corporation
• Suncoco Metallic Yarn
• Suncoco Lurex