Clothing Materials Fibre

Effects of Organic Solvents

Fibre	Behaviour
Cotton	Oxidises, turning yellow and losing strength on long exposure
Linen	Resistant than cotton, gradually deteriorate from prolonged exposure
Wool	Strength loss due to prolonged exposure
Silk	Continuous exposure weakens
Rayon	Generally resistant, loses strength after long exposure
Acetate	Approximately same as rayon
Tri-acetate	Resistant, loses strength after long exposure
Nylon	Good resistance
Polyester	Good resistance
Spandex	Generally not affected, prolonged exposure weakens
Acrylic	Little or no effect

Effects of Sunlight

Fibre	Behaviour
Cotton	Oxidises, turning yellow and losing strength on long exposure
Linen	Resistant than cotton, gradually deteriorate from prolonged exposure
Wool	Strength loss due to prolonged exposure
Silk	Continuous exposure weakens
Rayon	Generally resistant, loses strength after long exposure
Acetate	Approximately same as rayon
Tri-acetate	Resistant, loses strength after long exposure
Nylon	Good resistance
Polyester	Good resistance
Spandex	Generally not affected, prolonged exposure weakens
Acrylic	Little or no effect

Cleanliness and Washability

Fiber	Behavior and effect
Cotton	Launders well and gives up dirt easily
Linen	Launders well and gives up dirt easily
Wool	Attracts dirt, unless thoroughly cleaned it retains odors
Silk	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Rayon	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Acetate	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Tri-acetate	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Nylon 6.6	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Polyester	Prevents dirt from settling. Smooth surface allows stains to be easily washed away
Spandex	Launders well
Acrylic	Launders well

Effects of Perspiration

Fibre	Behaviour
Cotton	Resistant to alkali perspiration, slight deteriorating effect with acid perspiration
Linen	Resistant to alkali perspiration, slight deteriorating effect with acid perspiration
Wool	Weakened by alkali perspirationDiscolouration happens in general with perspiration
Silk	Deteriorates and Colour is affected causing stains
Rayon	Fairly resistant to deterioration
Acetate	Good resistance
Tri-acetate	Good resistance
Nylon 6.6	Resistant, Colour may be affected
Polyester	Resistant
Spandex	Good resistance to degradation
Acrylic	No deterioration

*Perspiration can be acidic or alkaline, depending on the individual’s metabolism.

Effects of Mildew

Fibre	Behaviour and effect
Cotton	Affected in a damp condition
Linen	Affected in a damp condition
Wool	Not susceptible in ordinary condition, but in damp condition
Silk	Not susceptible in ordinary condition, but in damp condition
Rayon	Affected in a damp condition
Acetate	Highly resistant
Tri-acetate	Extremely high resistance
Nylon	No effect
Polyester	Absolutely resistant
Spandex	Good to excellent resistance
Acrylic	May form, but will have no effectCan be easily wiped off

Effect of Heat

Fibre	Behaviour and effect
Cotton	Withstand moderate heatWill scorch and burn with prolonged exposure to high heat
Linen	Withstand moderate heatWill scorch and burn with prolonged exposure to high heat
Wool	Not easily combustible, becomes harsh at 100°C / 212°F and will scorch at 204°C / 400°F and eventually char
Silk	Sensitive to heat, decomposes at 165°C / 330°F
Rayon	Behaves similar to cotton as a cellulosic fiber
Acetate	Thermoplastic in nature, gets sticky at 176°C / 350°F and becomes stiff later
Tri-acetate	Thermoplastic in nature, gets sticky at 298°C / 570°F and becomes stiff later
Nylon	Will melt under high temperature, Nylon 6 melts at 215°C / 420°F and Nylon 6, 6 248°C / 480°F
Polyester	Will melt under high temperatureBecomes sticky at 226°C / 440°F to 243°C / 470°F and melts and flames at 248°C / 480°F to 290°C / 554°F depending on its type
Spandex	Yellows and loses elasticity and strength at over 148°C / 300°F, sticks at 175°C / 347°F and melts at 230°C / 446°F
Acrylic	Becomes sticky at 229°C / 455°F and melts at higher temperature