Olefin fiber

Italy began production of olefin fibers in 1957.[3] The chemist Giulio Natta successfully formulated olefin suitable for more textile applications. Both Natta and Karl Ziegler were later awarded the Nobel Prize for their work on transition metal catalysis of olefins to fiber, also known as Ziegler–Natta catalysis. Production of olefin fibers in the U.S. began in 1960.[3] Olefin fibers account for 16% of all manufactured fibers.[4]

Olefin fibers have great bulk and cover while having low specific gravity. This means “Warmth without the weight.”[2] The fibers have low moisture absorption, but they can wick moisture and dry quickly.[4] Olefin is abrasion, stain, sunlight, fire, and chemical resistant. It does not dye well, but has the advantage of being colorfast. Since Olefin has a low melting point, textiles can be thermally bonded. The fibers have the lowest static of all manufactured fibers and a medium luster. One of the most important properties of olefin is its strength. It keeps its strength in wet or dry conditions and is very resilient. The fiber can be produced for strength of different properties.

The Federal Trade Commission's official definition of olefin fiber is “A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units”[5]

Polymerization of propylene and ethylene gases, controlled with special catalysts, creates olefin fibers. Dye is added directly to the polymer before melt spinning is applied. Additives, polymer variations and different process conditions can create a range of characteristics.[2]

High pressure production, which uses ten tons per square inch, creates a film for molded materials. Low pressure production uses a low temperature with a catalyst and hydrocarbon solvent. This process is less expensive and produces a polyethylene polymer more for textile use.[2]

The polymer is then melted, spun, by a spinneret into water, or air cooled. The fiber is drawn out to six times the spun length. Gel spinning is a new method in which a gel form of polyethylene polymers is used.[2]

The first commercial producer of an olefin fiber in the United States was Hercules, Inc. (FiberVisions).[6] Other U.S. olefin fiber producers include Asota; American Fibers and Yarns Co; American Synthetic Fiber, LLC; Color-Fi; FiberVisions; Foss Manufacturing Co., LLC; Drake Extrusion; Filament Fiber Technology, Inc.; TenCate Geosynthetics; Universal Fiber Systems LLC.[5]

Producer – Allied-Signal

• A.C.E. – Tire cord, furniture webbing

Producer – DuPont

• CoolMax – Warm-weather and action wear
• Hollofil, Quallofil – Fiberfill and insulating fibers
• Sontara – Spunlaced nonwoven fabrics
• Thermostat – Cold-weather wear
• Thermoloft – Fiberfill and insulating fibers
• Tyvek – Used for house wraps to postal envelopes to clothing

Producer – Trevira

• ESP – Apparel and furnishings
• Celwet – Nonwovens
• Comfort Fiber – Staple fiber for apparel uses
• Floor Guardian – Gym Floor Carpet Protection System
• Loftguard – Staple fiber for industrial uses
• Polar Guard
• Lambda – Filament yarns with spun-yarn characteristics
• Serene
• Superba
• Trevira HT – Marine and military uses; ropes, cordages
• Trevira ProEarth – Recycled-content geotextiles
• Trevira XPS – Carpeting
• BTU – Cold-weather apparel[2]

Producer – 3M

• Thinsulate – Cold-weather action wear[7]

Avoid dry cleaning Olefin as many dry-cleaning solvents can swell the fibers. Since Olefin dries quickly, line drying and low tumble drying with little or no heat is the recommended method of drying. Since Olefin is not absorbent, waterborne stains do not present a problem. However, oily stains are difficult to remove. Most such stains can be removed with lukewarm water and detergent, but bleach can also be used. Olefin fiber has a low melting point (around 225 to 335 °F, depending on the polymer's grade) so items should be ironed at a very low temperature, if at all. Items such as outdoor carpets and other fabrics can be hosed off. Olefin is easy to recycle.

• Alkene
• Elastolefin