1. Obj. 2.01 Fiber Traits and Uses
All About Fibers
Obj Fiber Traits and Uses

2. Natural - Synthetic Manufactured
Cotton
Wool
Silk
Linen / flax
Ramie
Rayon
Polyester
Nylon
Acetate
Aramid
Modacrylic
Olefin
Spandex
Acrylic
Triacetate
Glass
Tencel

3. Natural Fibers
Come from Plant or Animal Sources

4. Cotton Natural Cotton plant (cellulosic)
Low cost, ABSORBENT, comfortable, soft, breathes, strong when wet, does not pill
Sports clothes, children’s clothes, bedding
US leads world in cotton production

5. Linen / Flax Natural – cellulosic
Stalk of the flax plant – beaten to produce fibers
+ Strong, durable, very versatile, cool, absorbent, develops luster with age (washing and wearing), does not attract dirt like cotton, less lint
- wrinkles a lot, gives a “crushed” look
Uses – summer sportswear, fine napkins, tablecloths, kitchen towels

6. Ramie Natural (cellulosic) Comes from China Grass
+ High luster, bacteria resistant, very absorbent, dries quickly, excellent abrasion resistance, inexpensive
- brittle, must be blended with other fibers
Used in clothing items , enhances other fibers
Tested 3-5x stronger than cotton, and 2x stronger than flax

7. Silk – the Cloth of Kings
Natural – protein (from animal)
The unwound fiber of the silkworm cocoon
+ Natural shine or LUSTER, can be thick, soft, crisp, transparent, drapes nicely if soft, absorbent, strong
- Must be dry-cleaned or hand-washed, weakens with heat and sunlight, hurt by perspiration
Uses – elegant clothing for men and women…blouses, pants, shirts, undergarments

8. Wool Natural – protein ( from animal)
Sheep mostly…also from camels, llamas, goats (Cashmere, mohair), rabbits (angora), alpaca, vicuna
+ Lightweight or bulky, resilient, insulates (traps air close to body), WARM, somewhat water-resistant
- Absorbs odors, should be dry-cleaned, scratchy, moths love it
Suiting (business), sweaters

9. MANUFACTURED FIBERS
Those fibers formed completely or in part by chemicals
Rayon & Acetate –are made from natural wood chips and chemicals
Others are composed completely of chemicals

10. Rayon – “artificial silk”
Synthetic
Cellulosic – wood pulp and petroleum
+ Very absorbent, dyes well, versatile. Can be made to have a variety of looks, especially lustrous. Drapes easily, but wrinkles easily as well
Used for dressy clothing items, mostly.
The first man-made fiber.

11. Nylon Made from petroleum . Non cellulosic
+Versatile, does not shrink, stretch. Very strong, holds shape. Gives strength when blended with other fibers. Not absorbent.
Pantyhose, and lingerie

12. Acrylic Man-made. Non cellulosic.
+Wool like properties, used as an alternative.
- Builds up static electricity.
- “Pills”, develops little balls all over it.
Most commonly used in sweaters or other bulky garments, although it can be smooth and lightweight.

13. Polyester Completely man-made. Non cellulosic
+Wrinkle resistant, does not shrink or stretch, strong, quick drying. Easy to clean.
Often blended with natural fibers
Very versatile…can look like almost anything
Used for all kinds of clothing, home furnishing.
The most widely used man-made fiber.

14. Acetate (and triacetate)
Man-made. Cellulosic.
+Drapes beautifully, very lustrous, looks like silk, dyes well.
Heat sensitive, used for linings
- Not strong when wet. Low abrasion resistance. Usually must be dry-cleaned.
Made into satin and velvet

15. The end