Textile Fiber Properties and Classifications
What is TFPIA and What Does it State?
Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA) protects consumers and producers from unfair competition resulting from the unlabeled presence of substitute materials in textile products.
What are the Two Main Classifications of Fibers?
Natural or manufactured fibers.
What are the Five Components of Textiles?
- Length
- Size
- Cross-sectional shape
- Surface contour
- Crimp fiber parts
What are the Two Main Groups of Natural Fibers?
Cellulose and protein.
What are the Two Main Groups of Man-Made Fibers?
Synthetics and manufactured.
What are the Four Main Natural Fibers?
Cotton, linen, wool, and silk.
Ten Fiber Properties and Their Impact on Consumers
- Aesthetic: Hand, luster.
- Serviceability: The measure of a textile product’s ability to meet consumer needs.
- Comfort: Absorbency, breathability, safety, conductivity.
- Durability: Abrasion resistance, strength.
- Care: Dimensional stability, treatment to maintain the original appearance.
- Safety: Textile’s ability to protect the body from harm.
- Appearance Retention: Dimensional stability, elasticity.
- Environmental Impact: Should not pollute.
- Sustainability: Practices that reduce environmental pollution and do not exploit people or natural resources in meeting lifestyle needs.
- Cost: Amount paid to produce, acquire, use, maintain, and dispose of the product.
Which Fiber Can be Felted and Why?
Wool can be felted. Felting is a unique property of wool that occurs because of the fiber’s structure.
Properties of Major Fibers
For each main fiber, discuss its properties, as follows: absorbency, resilience, luster, strength, durability, cost, pilling, conductor of heat, abrasion resistance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Major Fibers
Cotton:
- Advantages: Comfort, durability.
- Disadvantages: Harmed by acids, burns quickly.
Wool:
- Advantages: Appearance retention, comfort.
- Disadvantages: Harmed by alkalis and acids.
Silk:
- Advantages: Durability, comfort.
- Disadvantages: Harmed by alkalis, harmed by sunlight.
Linen:
- Advantages: Durability, comfort.
- Disadvantages: Poor appearance retention, moderate dimensional stability.
Common Fabrics Made from Major Fibers
Cotton: Pima, Supima, Egyptian, Sea Island.
Linen: Hemp, Ramie.
Wool: Virgin wool, recycled wool, llama, alpaca.
Silk: Sericin, wild, dupioni, tussah.
Unique Characteristics of Major Fibers
Silk: Luxury fiber.
Cotton: Comfort fiber.
Wool: Nature’s living fiber.
Linen: The strongest natural fiber.
Difference Between Man-Made and Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are synthesized from small, simple materials. Man-made cellulosic fibers are made into fiber form from chemical compounds produced in manufacturing facilities.
What is a Bast Fiber?
Bast fibers grow from the stem and root of the plant (e.g., plant stock).
What is a Seed Fiber?
Seed fibers grow within a pod or boll from developing seeds.
How Does Absorbency Relate to Static?
Absorbency is the ability of a fiber to take up moisture from the body or the environment. Static is the ability to transfer electrical charges. Fibers with good electrical conductivity are absorbent and rarely develop problems with static buildup.
Qualities of Natural Fibers Based on Spinning
Cotton: Comfort, durability.
Linen: Durability, comfort.
Wool: Appearance retention, comfort.
Silk: Comfort, durability.
Basic Processing of Natural Fibers
Cotton is grown in soil. Silk comes from silkworms. Wool comes from animals. Linen comes from flax plants.
Processing of Man-Made Cellulose vs. Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are synthesized from small, simple materials. Man-made cellulosic fibers are made into fiber form from chemical compounds produced in manufacturing facilities.
First Man-Made and Synthetic Fibers
The first man-made fiber was Rayon. The first synthetic fiber was Nylon.
Generic Name vs. Tradename
A tradename is a word used to distinguish one textile from another, often included in quality control programs. A generic name is the name of a family of fibers with a similar chemical composition. Examples of tradenames include Rayon, Acetate, and Nylon.
Types of Silk
Bombyx Mori: Creamy color, long fibers.
Dupioni: Produced when the silkworm has left the cocoon.
Definitions
Cellulose Fiber
Fibers made from cellulose.
Protein Fiber
Fibers made from animals or insects.
Man-Made Fiber
Fibers made from chemical compounds produced in manufacturing facilities.
Synthetic Fiber
Fibers synthesized from small, simple materials.
Staple Fiber
Short fibers measured in inches or centimeters.
Filament Fiber
Long fibers measured in miles or kilometers.
Fiber
The smallest component, hairlike in nature, that can be separated from a fabric.
Yarn
An assemblage of fibers that form a continuous strand used in making fabrics.
Fabric
A flexible planar substance made from solutions, fibers, yarns, fabrics, or any combination.
Structure
A fabric in which the pattern or design is created as the fabric is created.
Finish
Any process done to fiber, yarn, or fabric to change appearance, hand, or performance.
Color
The dyes or pigments that add color to textiles.
Thermoplastic
Sensitivity to heat; fibers that melt or glaze at lower temperatures.