What is a fibre?
- what are they considered?
A fine, hair-like structure
- considered the raw materials of textiles
What’s the difference between staple and filament fibres?
Staple= short fibre
Filament= long fibre
What are the 3 types of fibres?
- Natural
- Synthetic
- Regenerative
What are Natural fibres?
Animal or plant based fibres
What are natural fibres split into?
(examples of these fibres)
Animal:
- wool/fleece
- silk
- mohair
- cashmere
- alpaca
- angora
- camel hair
Plant:
- cotton
- linen
- hemp
- jute
What are Synthetic fibres?
Fibres derived from chemicals
Examples of synthetic fibres
- polyester
- nylon
- elastane
- aramid fibres
- polypropylene
What are Regenerated fibres?
Fibres made from a natural cellulosic source but treated with chemicals
Examples of regenerated fibres
- rayon
- viscose
- rubber
- metal
- glass
What are Microfibres?
Fine, synthetic fibres
Examples of microfibres
- tactel
- tencel
Natural fibre: Cotton characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- Type of cross section? what type of surface does this cause? and what does this allow it to do well?
- What does this mean in terms of clothing?
- What does its flat twisted form not do well?
- What does its structure allow it to do well? what does this mean?
- Staple fibres
- flattened cross section= smooth surface= prevents air from being trapped between fibre (conducts heat away from body)
- poor insulator= cool to wear (naturally breathable)
- doesn’t reflect light well= no lustre
- absorb moisture= moisture can penetrate outer layer= stored in hollow cavity in centre of fibre
Natural fibre: Linen characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- Type of cross section? what does this allow it to do? and what else does this give linen?
- what are the cross markings across the fibre called? what does this give linen?
- What’s its surface like? and what does this mean
- what does its structure allow it to do well? what does this mean?
- Staple fibres
- many sided cross section & long regular length to the fibres= reflect light quite well= slight lustre
- nodes= gives linen a slubbed appearance
- absorb moisture
- smooth surface= prevents air being trapped= cool to wear
Natural fibre: Wool characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- what is the surface covered by? what can these do in the presence of heat, moisture & friction? and what does this cause it to be?
- what can this property be used to do?
- What does this make wool in terms of care? and what does this mean it needs?
- What is the surface covered in? and what does this mean?
- what else does the fibre have? what happen to fibres when spun? what does this do?
- what does this give wool the ability to do?
- staple fibres
- overlapping scales= lock together= will make the wool shrink
- make felt from wool fibres
- difficult to care for= needs gentle hand washing or dry cleaning
- covered in natural greece called lanolin= water repellent
- Natural crimp= when spun crimp & scales cause fibres to stand away from each other= traps air
- Insulate
Natural fibre: Silk characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres? what is it the only kind of?
- What is each fibre made up of?
- Type of cross section? what does this give silk?
- filament= only natural continuous filament
- two long protein filaments glued together
- triangular cross section= gives silk a natural lustre & softness
