Textile Fibres
Introduction
Textiles have such an important bearing on our daily lives that everyone should know something about the basics of fibres and their properties.
Textile fibres are used for a wide range of applications such as covering, warmth, personal adornment and even to display personal wealth.
Textile technology has come a long way in meeting these requirements. A basic knowledge of textile fibres will facilitate an intelligent appraisal of fibre brands and types and help in identifying the right quality for the application.
This bulletin covers various textile fibres and the properties that are important for a suitable textile application.
Fibre Classification
Textile fibres can be broadly classified into two categories:
Natural fibres
Man-made fibres
Natural Fibers
Natural fibres are subdivided further, as outlined below, by their origin.
Table below when available.
| Fibre name | Source | Composition |
| Vegetable | ||
| Cotton | Cotton boll | Cellulose |
| Kapok | Kapok tree | Cellulose |
| Linen | Flax stalk | Cellulose |
| Jute | Jute stalk | Cellulose |
| Hemp | Hemp or Abaca | Cellulose |
| Ramie | Rhea and China | Cellulose |
| Sisal | Agave leaf | Cellulose |
| Coir | Coconut husk | Cellulose |
| Pina | Pineapple leaf | Cellulose |
| Animal | ||
| Wool | Sheep | Protein |
| Silk | Silkworms | Protein |
| Hair | Hair bearing animals | Protein |
| Mineral | ||
| Asbestos | Varities of rock | Silicate of Magnesium and Calcium |
Man-made Fibres
Man-made fibres are subdivided as shown below with their various compositions and origin.
| Fibre Name | Source |
| Cellulosic | |
| Rayon | Cotton linters or wood |
| Acetate | Cotton linters or wood |
| Tri-acetate | Cotton linters or wood |
| Non-Cellulosic Polymers | |
| Nylon | Aliphatic polyamide |
| Aramid | Aromatic polyamid |
| Polyester | Dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid |
| Acrylic | Acrylonitrile |
| Modacrylic | Acrylonitrile |
| Spandex | Polyurethene |
| Olefin | Ethylene or propylene |
| Vinyon | Vinyl chloride |
| Saran | Vinylidene chloride |
| Novoloid | Phenol based navolac |
| Polycarbonate | Carbonic acid (polyester derivative) |
| Fluorocarbon | Tetrafluoroethylene |
| Protein | |
| Azlon | Corn, soybean, etc. |
| Rubber | |
| Rubber | Natural or synthetic rubber |
| Metallic | |
| Metal | Aluminum, silver, gold, stainless steel |
| Mineral | |
| Glass | Silica sand, limestone, other minerals |
| Ceramic | Aluminium, silica |
| Graphite | Carbon |
1. Natural Fibers
Cotton
Cotton, the natural fibre most widely used in apparel, grows in a boll around the seeds of cotton plants. A single fibre is an elongated cell that is a flat, twisted, hollow, ribbon-like structure.
Characteristics
- Fair to good strength
- Very little elasticity
- Less resilient and prone to wrinkling
- Comfortable and soft feel
- Good absorbency
- Conducts heat well
- Damaged by insects, mildew, rot and moths
- Weakened by extended sunlight exposure
Applications
- Widely used in number of textile products
- Commonly used in woven and knitted apparel
- Home textile – bath towels, bath robes, bed covers etc.
- Used as a blend with other fibres as rayon, polyester, spandex etc.
Linen
Linen, one of the most expensive natural fibres, is made from the flax plant. It is labour-intensive to produce, hence produced in small quantities. However linen fabric is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.
It is composed of 70% cellulose and 30% pectin, ash, woody tissue and moisture.
Characteristics
- Strongest vegetable fibre
- Poor elasticity, hence wrinkles easily
- Relatively smooth, becomes softer when washed
- Highly absorbent
- Good conductor of heat and feels cool
- Lustrous
- More brittle, constant creasing in the sharp folds, tends to break
- Damaged by mildew, perspiration and bleach
- Resistant to moths and carpet beetles
Applications
- Apparel – suits, dresses, skirts, shirts etc.
- Home and commercial furnishing items – table cloths, dish towels, bed sheets, wallpaper / wall coverings, window treatments etc.
- Industrial products – luggage, canvas etc.
- Used as blend with cotton
