Introduction
The basic unit of textile structure is the fiber. Technically, the term “fiber” or textile fiber means a unit of matter that is capable of being spun into yarns or made into a fabric of any nature or character. According to the Textile Institute, fiber is defined as a unit of matter characterized by fineness, flexibility, and a high ratio of length to width.
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Classification of Textile Fibers
Classification of textile fibers can be done in many ways, some of them are as follows:
A) Classification according to their nature and origin.
C) Classification according to their length.
A) Classification According to Fibers Origin
1) Natural fibers, 2) Man-made fibers
1) Natural fibers: All fibers that come from natural sources and do not require fiber formation or reformation are classed as natural fibers. Natural fibers can be subdivided into three main classes according to the nature of their source.
1. Fibers
grown from seeds, e.g., cotton, kapok, etc. 2. Fibers
are grown as the skin of plant stems, e.g., Flax, Ramie, Hemp, Jute, etc.
3. Fibers
collected from leaves, e.g., Sisal, Alpaca, Manila, etc.
1. After
the coagulation of the mucus thrown up by the body of the silkworm, e.g., Silk.
2. Fibers
are made from wool and hair, e.g., "Sheep's wool." Cashmere, Camel Hair, Mohair, etc.
The only natural fiber occurring from minerals
is Asbestos. There are several kinds of asbestos fibers, all of which are
fire-resistant and are not easily destroyed or degraded by natural processes.
They are usually used as non-combustible insulation materials.
Chart of Sources and Composition of Natural Fibers
| Fiber name | Sources | Composition |
|---|
| Vegetables |
| Cotton | Cotton ball | Cellulose |
| Kapok | Kapok seed | Cellulose |
| Flax Linen | Flaxstalk | Cellulose |
| Jute | Jutestalk | Cellulose |
| Hemp | Hempstalk | Cellulose |
| Ramie | China grass | Cellulose |
| Sisal | Agave leaf | Cellulose |
| Coir | Coconut husk | Cellulose |
| Pina | Pineapple leaf | Cellulose |
| Animal |
| Wool | Sheep | Protein |
| Silk | Silkworms | Protein |
| Hair | Hair bearing
animals | Protein |
| Mineral |
| Asbestos | Varieties
of rock | Silicate of
Magnesium
and Calcium |
2) Man-made fibers: Man-made fiber means any fiber that is derived by an artificial process from any substance that, at any point, is not a fiber. Those fibers made from chemical synthesis are often called synthetic fibers ex: Polyester Nylon, while fibers generated from natural polymer sources are called regenerated fibers or natural polymer fibers ex: Viscose, Rayon, Cupro, Modal, etc.
B) Classification According to Fiber's Ability to Attract Water
1. Hydrophilic fibers: The fibers that can absorb water are known as Hydrophilic fibers ex: Cotton, Jute, etc.
2) Hydrophobic fibers: The fibers that cannot absorb water are known as Hydrophobic fibers ex: Polyester, Nylon, etc.
C) Classification According to Fibers Length
1) Staple fiber: A fiber or staple fiber is a unit of matter that is usually at least 100 times longer than it is thick. Staple fibers are short, measured in inches, and range from 2 to 20 CM in length. All natural fibers except silk, staple fibers. Any filament fiber can be cut into staples of a length determined by the end use desired.
2) Filament fiber: A filament is a very long fiber. Filaments are of a continuous length, measurable in yards or meters. The only filament fiber that occurs naturally is silk. All the filament fibers are
man-made. Yarns made from filament fibers are of two types: multifilament and mono-filament.
Classification Chart of Textile Fibers
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| Classification of Textile Fibers |
