Textile Fibres: Types and Properties

• Textile fibres are the basic units of textile production, as their characteristics dictate yarn, fabric, and product qualities.

Classification of Textile Fibres

• Natural fibres come from plants, animals, or minerals.
  • Cotton, flax (linen), wool, and silk are examples.
• Man-made fibres are created from natural materials (regenerated fibres) or synthetic chemical compounds.
  • Rayon, acetate, nylon, polyester, and acrylic are examples.

Physical Properties of Textile Fibres

• Length influences yarn strength, handle, and fabric appearance.
  • Longer fibres lead to smoother, stronger yarns.
  • Staple fibres are short, measured in inches or centimetres.
  • Filament fibres are continuous, measured in yards or meters.
• Fineness affects a fabric's softness, drape, and warmth.
  • It is measured in diameter (microns) or linear density (denier, tex).
  • Finer fibres make fabrics softer and more flexible.
• Cross-sectional shape influences fibre lustre, bulk, texture, and warmth.
  • Round, oval, kidney bean, and multilobal shapes are examples.
  • The shape impacts how light reflects.
• Surface contour describes the outer surface (smooth or rough).
  • It affects lustre, texture, and soil-hiding.
  • Rough surfaces insulate better and hide soil.
• Crimp refers to waves, bends, or twists along the fibre.
  • It increases cohesiveness, resilience, and bulk and is common in wool.
• Lustre is the sheen or shine of a fibre.
  • The amount of light reflected determines lustre.
  • Fibre shape, surface contour, and delustring agents influence it.

Mechanical Properties of Textile Fibres

• Strength is a fibre's ability to withstand pulling forces.
  • High strength fibres are more durable.
  • Tenacity is strength expressed as force per unit linear density.
• Elongation is how much a fibre stretches before breaking.
  • High elongation contributes to drape and comfort.
  • Elastic recovery is the ability to return to the original length after stretching.
• Flexibility is the ability to bend or fold easily.
  • It influences fabric drape and comfort.
• Abrasion resistance is the ability to withstand rubbing or wear.
  • High abrasion resistance improves fabric durability.
• Resilience is the ability to spring back to the original shape after bending or deformation.
  • It reduces wrinkling in fabrics.

Chemical Properties of Textile Fibres

• Moisture absorption is the ability to absorb moisture from the air.
  • It affects comfort, dyeability, and static electricity.
  • Hydrophilic fibres absorb moisture readily (e.g., cotton, rayon).
  • Hydrophobic fibres do not absorb moisture easily (e.g., polyester, nylon).
• Dyeability is the ability to accept and retain dyes.
  • It Varies depending on chemical composition and structure.
• Resistance to chemicals is the ability to withstand exposure to acids, alkalis, solvents, and other chemicals.
  • It is important for fabric care and durability.
• Resistance to microorganisms is the ability to resist attack by bacteria, fungi, and insects.
  • It is important for preventing fabric degradation.

Thermal Properties of Textile Fibres

• Heat resistance is the ability to withstand high temperatures without melting, degrading, or shrinking.
  • It is important for ironing, drying, and industrial applications.
• Flammability is the ability to ignite and burn.
  • It Varies depending on chemical composition and structure.
  • Flame-retardant finishes can improve flammability resistance.
• Heat conductivity is the rate at which heat travels through a fibre.
  • It affects fabric warmth and comfort, with low conductivity providing better insulation.

Other Important Properties

• Dimensional stability is the ability to maintain the original size and shape after washing, drying, or stretching.
  • It is important for garment appearance and fit.
• Elasticity is a fiber’s ability to return to its original shape after deformation
  • Contributes to the stretch and recovery of textiles.
• Cohesiveness is the ability of fibres to cling together during yarn spinning.
  • It is important for yarn strength and evenness.
• Crease resistance is the ability of a fabric to resist wrinkling.
  • Using resilient fibres or applying wrinkle-resistant finishes can improve it.
• Pilling resistance the ability of a fabric to resist the formation of small balls of fibre on the surface.
  • Fibre strength, length, and surface properties influence it.
• Drape refers to how a fabric falls or hangs.
  • It is influenced by fibre flexibility, weight, and construction.
• Hand refers to the feel or texture of a fabric.
  • It is influenced by fibre fineness, surface contour, and construction.

Fibre Properties and End Use

• Apparel requires comfort, drape, durability, and appearance.
  • Common fibres are cotton, linen, silk, rayon, polyester, and nylon.
• Home textiles require durability, appearance, and ease of care.
  • Common fibres are cotton, linen, polyester, acrylic, and wool.
• Industrial textiles require strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals and heat.
  • Common fibres are nylon, polyester, aramid, and glass.

Explore textile fibres, the key components of yarns and fabrics. Learn about natural fibres like cotton and wool, and man-made fibres like nylon and polyester. Understand the impact of length and fineness on fabric characteristics.