1. Textile Fibers Chapter 11
Fashion and Interior Design
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2. Learning Targets
I can classify various fibers and describe their characteristics, including the process of creating manufactured fibers.

3. Vocabulary Abrasion Absorbent Fiber Generic Name Luster
Manufactured Fibers
Microfibers
Natural Fibers
Pill
Resilient
Tensile Strength
Trade Name

4. What Are Fibers? Fiber: the basic unit that makes fabric.
Very similar to a very fine strand of hair.
Fibers are usually grouped and twisted together to form a continuous strand called a yarn.
By weaving or knitting yarns together, different textiles can be made.

5. Classification of Fibers
Natural Fibers: come from natural sources such as plants and animals.
Manufactured Fibers: made from such substances as wood pulp, petroleum, natural gas, air, and water. (man-made or synthetic)
A recent innovation in fiber research is the microfiber, which is 100 times finer than a strand of human hair.

6. Fiber Names
Generic Name: fiber name for a general classification of fibers of similar composition. (Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Rayon, Polyester)
A fiber’s general name must be listed on the label of all textile products according to the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.
Trade Name: names for fibers registered as trademarks and protected by law.

7. The 11 Characteristics of Fibers
Strength
Tensile Strengths: the ability to withstand tension or pulling.
Durability
Resiliency
Resilient: able to spring back to shape after crushing or wrinkling.
Elasticity
Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion: a worn spot that can develop when fibers rub against something.
Pill: form tiny balls of fiber on fabric.
Wrinkle Resistance
Shape Retention
Luster
Luster: sheen or shine
Absorbency
Absorbent: able to take in moisture
Wicking
Wicking: the ability to pull moisture through spaces between the yarns and away from the body. (Dry fit)
Washability

8. Natural Fibers Plant Fibers: Animal Fibers:
Cotton, Flax, Ramie
Made from cellulose, a fibrous substance found in plants.
Ramie is a natural fiber with properties of both silk and flax that comes from the stems of China grass.
Animal Fibers:
Wool, Silk, Cashmere, Angora
All natural fibers are staple fibers except silk, which is a filament fiber.
Staple Fibers: short fibers measured in inches or centimeters.
Filament Fibers: a long fiber measured in yards or meters.

9. Textile Fibers Identification
Phase I:
Fill out the requested information for each fiber on your Phase I Fiber Identification Chart using internet resources.
Example:
Fiber Name
Advantages
Disadvantages
Care
Uses
Trade Name
Cotton
Extremely versatile; strong and durable; comfortable and soft; absorbs moisture; doesn’t cling or pill; dyes easily
Not resilient or elastic; wrinkles unless treated; shrinks in hot water unless treated; will mildew; flammable
Easily laundered at high temperatures; can be ironed at high temperature
Shirts, sweaters, dresses, jeans, underwear, socks, diapers. Towels, sheets, placemats, napkins, curtains, upholstery.
Not Applicable

10. Textile Fibers Identification
Phase II:
Complete the visual, burning, and chemical observations for ten fabric samples that contain 100 percent of a given fiber, including 5 manufactured and 5 natural.
Fabric samples, magnifying glasses, tweezers, Petri dishes, bleach, acetone, a candle, and aluminum foil will be provided for you to conduct your identification tests.