Principles and Methods of Modification of Fibres and Fibre Materials. A Review

Thanks to the technical progress in the field of chemical fibres and textiles made from them, in addition to the traditional kinds of first-generation chemical fibres and fibre materials, new types with optimized properties based on the wide use of methods of physical, composite, and chemical modification — second-generation fibres and fibre materials (textiles) — have been created. This significantly affected the evolution of production of different kinds of fibres by partially altering the ratio of the production volumes. Modified fibres and textiles for domestic use with improved properties have become widespread — “people-friendly” materials and articles. Modified types of fibres, filament, and fabrics for industrial use are also manufactured, for example, for reinforcing mechanical rubber goods, fireproofing, antimicrobials, etc. The wide use of methods of modifying fibres and fibre (textile) materials is technically, economically, and environmentally justified. The modified fibres, by acquiring new functional properties, are not only used for manufacturing single-component fibre materials (textile cloth) but also are included in blended materials. The characteristics of the articles made of both hydrated cellulose and synthetic fibres are improved in both cases. Methods of enhancing fireproofing and giving them antimicrobial properties are widely used for viscose fibres. Making them hydrophilic and giving them antistatic and fireproof properties are especially important for synthetic (polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, etc.) fibres.