1. Fibers
Chapter 14

2. Fibers are the basic unit of all textiles
Yarn is a continuous strand of fibers
Fabric is a textile product made by knitting or weaving yarns together

3. Fibers are combined to make yarns
Yarns are combined to make fabrics

4. Fiber Characteristics
Each fiber has its own characteristics
Fiber source (natural or manufactured) determines characteristics
Fibers may be short, long, curly or straight

5. Fiber Characteristics
Strength – the ability to withstand pulling and twisting
Shrinkage – the ability to maintain size
Warmth – the ability to maintain body temperature
Durability – the ability to hold up in repeated use

6. Fiber Characteristics
Absorbency – the ability to take in moisture
Wrinkle resistance – the ability to resist creasing
Resiliency – the ability to spring back when crushed or wrinkled

7. Selecting Fibers
Knowing fiber characteristics will help you choose the appropriate fiber for the end use
What fiber characteristic would be appropriate for:
Coat - Dress shirt
Bath towel - Work pants
Carpet - Shoe laces

8. Natural Fibers
The most common natural fibers are cotton, linen, wool and silk
The two categories of natural fibers are:
Cellulosic fibers – fibers from plant sources like cotton, flax, ramie, hemp, and jute
Protein fibers – fibers from animal sources like wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, camel’s hair, alpaca, and angora

9. Manufactured fibers More widely used than natural fibers
Used in clothes, accessories, furniture, and cars
Wide variety of fiber characteristics
Rayon was the first commercially produced fiber in It was marketed as “artificial silk.”

10. Manufactured Fibers The two categories of manufactured fibers are:
Cellulosic fibers – make from wood chips dissolved in chemicals. Examples are rayon, acetate, triacetate and lyocell.
Noncellulosic or Synthetic fibers – made from combining the chemicals like nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Examples are nylon, polyester, olefin, acrylic, and spandex.

11. Manufacturing Process
Step 1 – The solid raw material is changed into a liquid.
Step 2 – The liquid is extruded (forced or pushed) through a spinneret with very tiny holes
Step 3 – The liquid is hardened into a fiber

12. Manufactured Fiber Modifications
Fibers can be thick or thin
Cross section can be round, flat or shaped
The color, shine, wrinkle-resistance, absorption, and strength can be varied
Fibers can be crimped, textured, coiled or looped
Fibers can be blended with other manufactured or natural fibers