In this unit, students shall get to know different types of fibres, both synthetic and natural ones. They are also familiarized with the fibres’ synthesis, both in laboratory and in industry. While describing the fibres’ use based on their properties, students will learn to differentiate between the macroscopic and the sub-microscopic levels.
III.I Fibres in clothes: analyses of structures and properties (Activity 3.1 to 3.3)
- Basic knowledge: classification of polymers
- Classification and structure (incl. pictures) of fibres (synthetic vs. natural fibres)
- Industrial production of fibres
III.II Fibres in products: interaction with weather (water, temperature), skin (moisture, temperature, skin) and washing detergents (different ingredients, temperature) (Activity 3.4 to 3.6)
- Deeper analyses: structure-property-relations in changing environments, model-based explanations and systematic series of experiments
- Characteristics of fibres e.g. behaviour of the fibre in acid/base, water and various washing detergents, in the washing process or while ironing (information on care labels)
III.III Fibres in society: economic viewpoints and sustainability (Activity 7 to 10)