Applications of non-circular cross-section chemical fibers

Contours, or shapes of non-circular cross-section (NCCS) fiber were the most basic feature and NCCS fibers were also called profiled or shaped fiber differential to conventional round ones in textiles industrials. Synthetic fibers as PET and PA were normally round in their cross-sections, yet natural fiber did not have a perfect circular one, cotton had 'kidney-type' or 'dog-bone' shape, and silk had roughly triangular. The first NCCS fiber was developed by using expanded adhesion spun technology [1]. Consequently, researchers began to study the effects of the special technologies [2,3] adding NCCS fibers on its yarn's and fabric's aesthetics, appearance and 'feel' in the early 1970s. NCCS fibers usually had excellent capillarity and wicking properties for removing moisture, therefore, it was being used for diapers, sanitary napkins, filter media, shoe liners and wound coverings [4-7]. Here, various applications of different NCCS fibers popularized in market will be summarized and highlighted on its specific fabrication ways, charming exhibitions in apparels, fiber reinforced composites, filtration and biomedical supporting textiles, all of which will give us some hints on developing novel NCCS fibers in the future.