An overview of synthetic microfibers: fabrication, properties, applications and environmental problems

Abstract

In the past two decades, the importance of microfibers has increased dramatically in the global fiber market. Synthetic microfibers have many advantages for the future of the textile industry. They are known as fibers with a linear density in the range of 0.3 to 1 dtex or an average diameter of less than 10 µm. The diameter of micro fibers is half the diameter of silk fibers, one third of the diameter of cotton fibers, and a hundred times finer than human hair, so it can make amazing changes in the improvement of textile products. Various methods have been reported for the production of synthetic microfibers, including CO2 laser, melt spinning, melt blowing, flash spinning, spunbonding, and electrospinning. Textiles made from microfibers are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and retain their shape. These fibers are also resistant to pilling, they are also relatively stronger and more durable than textiles with similar conditions, and they are more comfortable. Due to the fact that microfibers have a high specific surface, they are suitable for various applications such as separation and filtration, construction, medicine, energy, smart textiles and sensors. In contrast, microplastic fibers are the most abundant pollutions found in the environment. Synthetic microplastic fibers are made up of non-biodegradable polymers having diameter less than 5 mm. Microfibers are released from textile garments during textile finishing and home laundering. In this paper, after introducing synthetic microfibers, its fabrication methods, properties and applications are reviewed.