Fiber Properties

Hand

The way a fiber feels

Heat conductivity

Ability to conduct heat away from the body

Heat sensitivity

Ability to soften, melt, or shrink when subjected to heat

Loft/compressional resiliency

Ability to spring back to original thickness after being compressed

Luster

The light reflected from a surface

Hydrophilic

Takes in moisture

Hydrophobic

Does not take in moisture

Piling

Balling up of fiber ends on the surface of fabrics

Resiliency

Ability to return to original shape after bending, twisting, compressing, or a combinations of the deformations

Specific gravity & density

Measures of the weight of a fabric, density is the weight in grams per cubic centimeter, and specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of the fiber to an equal volume of water at 4 degrees celsius

Stiffness/rigidity

The opposite of flexibility, the resistance to bending or creasing

Strength/tenacity

The ability to resist stress and is expressed as tensile strength

Sunlight Resistance

Ability to withstand degradation from direct sunlight

Texture

Nature of fiber surface

Translucence

Ability of a fiber, yarn, or fabric to allow light to pass through the structure

Wicking

Ability of a fiber to transfer moisture along its surface

Abrasion Resistance

Ability of a fiber to withstand the rubbing or abrasion it gets in everyday use

Absorberncy/moisture regain

Percentage of moisture a bone-dry fiber will absorb from the air under standard conditions of temperature and moisture

Allergenic potential

Ability to cause some physical reaction, such as skin irritation or watery eyes

Chemical reactivity

Effect of acids, alkali, oxidizing agents, solvents, or other chemicals

Cohesiveness

Ability of fibers to cling together during spinning

Cover

Ability to occupy space for concealment or protection

Creep

Delayed elasticity, recovers gradually from strain

Dimensional stability

Ability to retain a given size and shape through use and care

Drape

The manner in which a fabric falls or hangs over a three dimensional form

Dyeability

Fibers’ receptivity to coloration by dyes

Elastic recovery

Ability of fibers to recover from strains

Electrical conductivity

The ability to transfer electrical charges

Elongation

Ability to be stretched, extended, or lengthened, varies at different temperatures and when wet or dry

Feltability

Refers to ability of fibers to mat together

Flammability

Ability to ignite and burn

Flexibility

The ability to bend repeatedly without breaking

Crimp

Wavyness of a fiber