Artificial silk is actually synthetic fiber, made of silk and composed of cellulose, which is an organic compound that constitutes the main component of plants. Using natural polymers as raw materials and chemical methods to form synthetic fibers that are essentially identical to the original polymers. Derived from petroleum and biology, synthetic silk derived from biology is called regenerated fiber.
It is a cellulose fiber with many properties similar to other fibers such as cotton and linen fibers.
At present, the most common synthetic silk fabrics on the market are high-quality and affordable polyester/nylon silk, and there are also many such clothes.
Extract pulp from cellulose raw materials, undergo a series of chemical reactions to obtain cellulose fibers, which are then washed, desulfurized, bleached, and dried to become viscose fibers. Carbon disulfide is toxic during the production process and is prone to ignition and explosion when mixed with air. So in the production of artificial fibers, it is necessary to treat the three wastes of exhaust gas, wastewater, and waste residue, and to protect the safety of workers. So we are currently exploring non-toxic cellulose solvents.
Its finished products, such as clothes, feel okay to wear without any obvious discomfort, but they are slightly harder than real silk.
Advantages of artificial silk:
1. It is a medium to heavy-duty fiber with high strength, so it is very wear-resistant.
2. Has strong hydrophilicity with a moisture regain of 11%.
3. There will be no static electricity or pilling during use.
4. It can be dry cleaned or washed, which is more convenient.
5. The cost is not very high, so the price is moderate and most people can accept it.
Disadvantages of artificial silk:
1. After soaking, the strength of the synthetic silk will greatly decrease, losing 30-50% of its strength. Therefore, careful protection should be taken during the washing process. After drying, the strength will recover.
2. The elasticity and resilience of artificial silk are relatively poor, and it may shrink significantly after washing and is also prone to mold and decay.
3. If not treated, artificial silk is prone to shrinkage, fading, and wrinkling.