Chapter – 3 Synthetic Fibres and Plastics • Synthetic fibres and plastics, like natural fibres, are made of very large units called polymers. Polymers are made up of many smaller units. Polymers are made up of many smaller units. • While natural fibres are obtained from plants and animals, synthetic fibres are obtained by chemical processing of petrochemicals. Like natural fibres, these fibres can also be woven into fabrics. • Synthetic fibres find uses ranging from many household articles like ropes, buckets, furniture, containers, etc. to highly specialized uses in aircrafts, ships, spacecrafts, healthcare, etc. • Depending upon the types of chemicals used for manufacturing synthetic fibres, they are named as Rayon, Nylon, Polyester and Acrylic. • The different types of fibres differ from one another in their strength, water absorbing capacity, nature of burning, cost, durability, etc. • Today, life without plastics cannot be imagined. Be it home, or outside, plastic i