Fibers

What are fibers? A thread or filament from which a textile is formed.

Fiber Categories Natural Man-made Come from an animal or plant source Regenerated fibers Synthetic fibers

Natural Fibers Include the following Cotton Silk Wool Mohair Cashmere

Man-Made – Regenerated Fibers Regenerated fibers are cellulose that is spun through a spinneret Includes: Rayon Acetate Triacetate

Synthetic Fibers These are generated polymer chains Includes: Nylon Polyester Acrylic

Cotton Made exclusively of cellulose Has a high degree of polymerization and crystallization Look like flattened ribbons that are twisted. (microscopically)

Silk Silk is a protein fiber Made by silk worms Fiber is double stranded. Light weight but keeps people warm.

Wool Obtained from sheep, goats, rabbits Readily absorb water but the fibers are not hollow Microscopically, looks like scaly corkscrews.

Mohair From goats Type of wool

Cashmere From goats Type of wool Comes from the soft undercoat of goats

Burn Tests Burn Test

Fiber Comparisons

Rayon Manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. Fibers are smooth and glasslike rods. Doesn’t wrinkle

Acetate Derived from reacting wood pulp (cellulose) with acetic acid. After the acetate is formed, it is spun through spinnerets. Microscopically, has grooves. Used in cigarette filters.

Triacetate Cellulose mixed with acetic acid and acetate anhydride. Used in garments where pleat retention is important

Nylon Man made polymer of polyamides.

Polyester Derived from petroleum

Acrylic Made from petroleum Fiber is dog bone shaped.