NEW DISCOVERY IN THE FIELD OF MAN-MADE FIBRES

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 October 1946, Page 9

NEW DISCOVERY IN THE FIELD OF MAN-MADE FIBRES

An important discovery in the field of man-made fibres is announced by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., and the Calico Printers’ Association. This product, which has so far gone by the name of "Teryleae” was initially discovered by the chemists employed by the C.P.A. working secretly during the war. Although the field in which these inventors were working did not at first appear very promising, the persistence and support of the C.P.A. in the end resulted in this most important discovery. The material has now been passed over to 1.C.1. for fullscale evaluation and, if early promise is fulfilled, for eventual development and marketing. "Terylene” differs from all other fibres so far produced, whether natural or man-made. It can be made in a wide variety' of dimensions and, by varying the conditions under which the filaments are produced, variations in properties can be achieved.

In cerfaln" forms “Terylene” fibres are immensely strong. The new material also has outstanding resistance to heat and light. At the same time, its general appearance and feel are good, and it should be possible to process the material on existing textile machinery by normal processes. Because of its good heat resistance, it should be canable of being ironed, laundered and pressed without special precautions. Its moisture resistance and general chemical resistance are good, and, like other synthetic fibres, it is specially good in resistance to micro-organisms and bacteria. So far "Terylene” is in a very early stage of development in the laboratory and it is only on the laboratory scale that it has yet been examined. Even if the early promise of the material is fulfilled, it is inevitable that, with the delays that occur in the development of all projects at the present time, arising out of difficulties of supply of equipment and buildings, it must be years rather than months before the fibre can be available in quantities for the textile industry.