SOME CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS OF POLYAMIDE FIBRES

Abstract

The global volume of fiber production in the year 2004 rose to 67.4 million tons. With a world population of 6.41 billion, this corresponds to an average per capita consumption of 1O.Skg. Man- made fibres have come to occupy a very important position in textile field. In 2004 these fibres have accounted for 37.98 million tons, comprising 56.3% market share. The highest growth comes from polyester fibres which expanded in 2004 by almost 9.7% to a new record level of 24.48 million tons. As opposed to this, production of polyamide fibres (filament, yarns, and staple fibres) rose by only 0.4% to 4.16 million tons. With regard to the future outlook for polyamide fibres the global fiber demand could pick up from the current estimate of 4.16 million tons and grow at an average rate of between 2 to 3 %. Polyamide fibres have a set of unique, intrinsic characteristic, such as: high breaking resistance, high abrasion resistance and high durability, and good resistance to biological influences. However. polyamide fibres have some inherent drawbacks, which limit their fields of usage, and thereby directed the attention towards improving their properties. These drawbacks can be briefly fonmulated as follows: poor moisture content, high static build up, high pilling tendency, poor heat and themra1 resistance, low inflammability, and poor resistance to light, weather, alkalis, and concentrated acids. Nowadays, it is possible to construct the properties of polyamide fibres. By making physical or chemical modification, the fiber can directly be adjusted to the intended end­ use field.