Bi/tri-component fibers

The first bicomponent fibers were developed in the late 1960s by Dupont de Nemours under the trade name "Cantrese". This was a bicomponent fiber comprising two polyamides 6-6 positioned side by side, which shrank under heat to form an elastic fiber. The aim was to give volume to the finished product.

Since then, machine manufacturers have developed spinnerets capable of combining two or even three polymers during the spinning process, and playing with cross-sectional shapes to provide the functionalities required by the finished product.

Today, these fibers are used in the composition of new materials and products, such as synthetic leathers, thermoformable textile materials, conductive textiles and nanofibers...

First, we'll define these fibers and present the different forms available today. Then we'll talk about how these fibers are manufactured and used, describing current manufacturing processes. Finally, we'll look at applications, with current producers, their volumes and the functionalities added to fibers to meet product specifications.