synthetic fibre

Fibre made by chemical processes, unknown in nature. There are two kinds. One, a regenerated synthetic fibre, is made from natural materials that have been chemically processed in some way; rayon, for example, is made by processing the cellulose in wood pulp. The other type is the true synthetic fibre, made entirely from chemicals. Nylon was the original true synthetic fibre, made from chemicals obtained from petroleum (crude oil).

Fibres are drawn out into long threads or filaments, usually by so-called spinning methods, melting or dissolving the parent material and then forcing it through the holes of a perforated plate, or spinneret.