Fiber Characteristics / Performance Properties

Cover

The ability of a fiber to occupy an area

Flexibility

The ability of a fiber to bend easily without breaking

Hand

The way a fiber, yarn, or fabric feels when handled/ touched

Luster

The light reflected from a surface

Resiliency

Wrinkle recovery

the wrinkle resistance of wool is

high

The wrinkle resistance of wovens is

low

the wrinkle resistance of knits is

high

Fiber Sources can be

Natural or manufactured fibers

what are the two lengths of fiber called

staple and filament

staple

short fibers

filament

long fibers

where are natural fibers found

in nature either obtained from plants or animals

plant fibers come from

stems, leaves, and seeds

animal fibers come from

sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, and silkworms

how do manufactured fibers start

as filament fibers

spinneret

a device used to create filaments

types of manufactured fibers

synthetics, regenerated cellulosic, and derivative cellulosic fiber

fiber shape are the

cross sectional shapes from round, flat, oval, or serrated

fiber surface can be

smooth, rough, grooved, or scaled

crimp are the

bends and curves (waves) along the fiber, natural to wool

fiber diameter is the

thickness of a fiber

abrasion resistance is the

degree by which a fabric can withstand loss of appearance through friction

absorbency is the

ability to take in moisture

fibers that are able to easily absorb water are

hydrophilic

hydrophobic

resistance to water

hydroscopic

absorbs and releases with the humidity - insulation and retains heat when wet

cover

the ability to occupy an area

cover is often used in

coats and outerwear

elasticity is the

ability of a fiber to return to its original length, shape, or size immediately after the removal of stress

elasticity is used in

athleticwear and for comfort

flexibility is the

ability of a fiber to bend easily without breaking

flexibility has to do with

drape

hand is the

way a fiber, yarn, or fabric feels when handled / touched

Luster is the

light reflected from a surface

how does increase of luster occur

smoother surface, less crimp, flatter cross-sectional shape, and longer fiber length

piling is

a tangled ball of fibers that appears on the surface of a fabric, as a result of wear or continued friction or rubbing on the fabric

pilling is common in

sweaters

resiliency is

· The capability if a material to spring back to shape after being creased, twisted, or distorted. (wrinkle recovery)

Thermoplasticity is the

ability of fibers to withstand heat exposure

wicking is the

ability of a fiber to transfer moisture from one section to another

wicking is used in

activewear