Textile Chemistry

1
Textile Chemistry

• Hannah Waitkus and Lisa Rhodebeck

2
Career Overview

• the study of the chemical and physical properties
  of the various textile fibers
• both natural and synthetic
• the application of the principles of surface
  chemistry to the many cleaning operations and
  modifications of the textile material
• the application of organic chemistry to the
  synthesis and formulation of the chemical
  products necessary for achieving these objectives
• Textile industry is one of the largest industries
  in the United States

3
Job Functions

• -Textile chemistry is usually divided into three
  major areas
• dyeing and finishing chemistry
• fiber and polymer chemistry
• materials science and involves the blending of
  textile materials

4
Job Functions

• Technical content tends to be more challenging in
  the polymer chemistry department than in the
  dyeing and finishing end
• Textile Chemists work in
• Research Development
• Process development
• Process modification
• Technical services
• Environmental Testing
• Dyeing and finishing operations

5
Places of Employment

• Globally chemical companies that manufacture the
  basic polymer from which synthetic fibers are
  made
• Because the companies exist globally, many jobs
  are located overseas
• Small dyeing houses that dye yarns, fiber,
  fabric, and carpets

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Personal Characteristics

• Knowledge of Weaving and Knitting
• Enjoy work with tangible products
• Versatility
• Fibers and Chemicals
• Like using knowledge of materials to solve
  problems
• Be willing to travel (textiles in other
  countries)

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Job Outlook

• Some positions still exist but limited
• Material Science is offering new opportunities
• International has a better outlook
• Textile jobs have moved over seas
• Dye jobs are more often over seas

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Education and Training

• Bachelors degree in Textile Chemistry (not a
  pre.req), your coursework should
• including classes in polymer and color chemistry,
  the technology of dyeing and finishing, color
  science, textile dyeing and printing, fiber
  forming polymers, polymer chemistry lab and the
  chemistry of synthetic and natural bipolymers.
• Graduate School M.S. or Ph.D.
• Trained as Polymer Chemists
• Understanding the manufacturing process and
  chemical engineering important pre-requisite

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Websites

• http//portal.acs.org
• http//www.ehow.com/how_2068986_become-textiles-ch
  emist.html
• http//unjobs.org/tags/textile-chemistry
• http//www.accessscience.com/abstract.aspx?id6875
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  ontent.aspx3fid3d687500