Products from Oil

Polymers - Clothing - Thinsulate - Breathable - Lycra - Elastic.

Thinsulate is a synthetic material made from very thin fibres (micofibres)
of poly(propene). These micofibres are 10 times thinner than hair.
The fibres are spun and woven into a thin layer.
It is very good at trapping air which makes it a good insulator.
The trapped air keeps you warm and the holes between the fibres
make it breathable. The fibres are also good at reflecting
infra-red radiation which also keeps you warm.
Thinsulate is not waterproof but clothing can be made warm
and waterproof by combining thinsulate with Goretex.

Lycra is a type of clothing which is ideal for sportswear.
Another name for Lycra is Spandex.
It is made by combining two different polymers in alternating blocks.
One polymer is hard and crystalline, the other is elastic.
This is called a block copolymer.
Lycra combines the properties of elasticity with being hardwearing.

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