1. Fibers

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

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

4. Natural Fibers
Include the following
Cotton
Silk
Wool
Mohair
Cashmere

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

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

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

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

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

10. Mohair
From goats
Type of wool

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

12. Burn Tests
Burn Test

13. Fiber Comparisons

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

15. 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.

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

17. Nylon
Man made polymer of polyamides.

18. Polyester
Derived from petroleum

19. Acrylic
Made from petroleum
Fiber is dog bone shaped.