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 |