How are synthetic and regenerated fibres made, what properties do they have, and where are they used?
Synthetic and regenerated fibres (polyester, nylon/polyamide, acrylic and viscose): how they are made, their characteristic properties, and how those properties suit particular fashion or textile items.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology content on synthetic and regenerated fibres, covering how polyester, nylon, acrylic and viscose are made, their key properties, and how those properties decide which fibre suits a given item.
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What this dot point is asking
The SQA wants you to know that some fibres are manufactured rather than grown, to tell synthetic fibres (made from oil) apart from regenerated fibres (made from natural cellulose that is chemically processed), to know the properties of the four common ones (polyester, nylon, acrylic, viscose), and to match them to items.
How manufactured fibres are made
The difference is the raw material: synthetics begin with oil; regenerated fibres begin with a natural source that is processed. Both are made by people, so they can be engineered to be very uniform and strong.
The common manufactured fibres
Matching a fibre to an item
Try this
Q1. Name the natural raw material that viscose is made from. [1 mark]
- Cue. Wood pulp (cellulose), which is chemically processed into fibre.
Q2. State two properties of nylon that make it suitable for tights. [2 marks]
- Cue. Strong and elastic, so the tights stretch to fit and resist tearing; also lightweight.
Q3. Explain why polyester is often blended with cotton for a school shirt. [2 marks]
- Cue. Cotton adds comfort and absorbency while polyester adds strength, shape retention and crease resistance, giving an easy-care shirt that keeps the best of both.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA-style Describe4 marksA waterproof jacket is to be made from a synthetic fibre. Describe two properties of polyester that make it suitable for this item.Show worked answer →
Award 1 mark for each property and 1 mark for the link to the jacket, up to 4. Polyester is not very absorbent (it is hydrophobic), so rain runs off rather than soaking in and the jacket dries quickly after getting wet (2). Polyester is strong and hard-wearing, so the jacket stands up to outdoor use, wind and repeated wear without tearing (2). Other creditable points: polyester keeps its shape and does not crease, so the jacket stays neat, and it can be given a waterproof finish. Markers reward properties linked to the demands of an outdoor waterproof jacket.
SQA-style Explain3 marksExplain the difference between a synthetic fibre and a regenerated fibre, using examples.Show worked answer →
Award up to 3 for a clear explanation with examples. A synthetic fibre is made entirely from chemicals, usually from oil (petrochemicals), and is fully manufactured, for example polyester, nylon or acrylic (up to 2). A regenerated fibre is made by chemically treating a natural raw material, usually wood pulp (cellulose), to turn it into a fibre, for example viscose (up to 2). The key difference is the raw material: synthetics start from oil, regenerated fibres start from a natural source that is processed. Markers want the distinction in raw material plus at least one correct example of each.
Related dot points
- Natural fibres (cotton, linen, wool and silk): their plant or animal source, their characteristic properties, and how those properties make each fibre suitable for particular fashion or textile items.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology content on natural fibres, covering the plant and animal sources of cotton, linen, wool and silk, their key properties, and how those properties decide which fibre suits a given item.
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A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology content on fabric construction, covering how woven, knitted, felted and bonded (non-woven) fabrics are made and how each method changes the properties of the finished fabric.
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A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology content on textile properties and end use, covering absorbency, warmth, durability, elasticity, crease resistance, drape and more, and how to match a textile to the requirements of an item.
- Finishes and treatments applied to fabrics (waterproof/water-repellent, flame-resistant, crease-resistant, stain-resistant/Teflon, antibacterial, brushing and shrink-resistant) and how a finish changes a fabric's properties to suit a particular fashion or textile item.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology content on fabric finishes and treatments, covering waterproof, flame-resistant, crease-resistant, stain-resistant, antibacterial and brushed finishes and how each changes a fabric's properties to suit an item.