Fabric Science Ch2 - Fiber Characteristics - Key Terms

abrasion resistance

the ability to resist wear from rubbing that contributes to fabric durability

absorbency

ability to take in moisture

cover

ability to occupy an area; effectiveness depends on cross-sectional shape, longitudinal configuration, and weight

crimp

the bends and twists along the length of the fiber

dry spinning

the fiber solution, mixed with a solvent, is forced through the spinnerette into warm air. the warm air helps evaporate the solvent, and the liquid stream then hardens. (acetate, modacrylic)

elasticity

ability to increase in strength when under tension (elongation) and then return to the original length when released (recovery). tends to increase breaking strength of fabric. relative to material and the stretch process, can be realized in a fiber, yarn, fabric, or finish.

epitropic fibers

fibers that conduct electricity, has no static problems

fibrillation

agitation in the wash cycle causes stiff fibers to splinter on the fabric’s surface

filament fibers

fibers of longer lengths

flameproof fibers

will not burn

flame-resistant fibers

have a relatively high ignition temperature and slow rate or burning. may also be self-extinguishing

flammability

ability to ignite or burn

flammable fibers

relatively easy to ignite and sustain combustion

flexibility

capability of a fiber to bend easily and repeatedly without breaking, influences the hand of a material

hand

the way a fiber, yarn, or fabric feels when handled. affected by fiber’s shape, surface, and configuration; type of yarn, fabric construction, finishing processes

hydrophilic

absorbs water easily (all natural animal and vegetable fibers, plus rayon, lyocell, and acetate)

hydrophobic

difficulty absorbing water, only able to absorb small amounts (all manufactured fibers besides rayon, lyocell, and acetate)

hygroscopic

absorbs moisture without feeling damp (silk and wool)

luster

light reflected from a surface; improved by smoother surface, less crimp, flatter cross-sectional shape, longer fiber length, yarn type, weave, and finish.

manufactured fibers

fibers made from chemical solutions

melt spinning

a solid material is melted to form a liquid solution that is forced through the spinnerette and into cool air, where the liquid streams harden into continuous filaments. (glass, nylon, polyester, olefin)

natural fiber

fibers found in nature, obtained from plants or animals

pilling

formation of groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of a fabric that are tangled together in tiny balls, formed when the ends of a fiber break from the fabric surface from wear. hydrophobic fibers (with greater electrical static attraction) do this more.

resiliency

capability of a material to spring back to shape after being creased, twisted, or distorted; closely connected to wrinkle recovery. thicker and rounder is better to absorb strain.

specific gravity

ratio of the mass of the fiber to an equal volume of water at 4 degrees Celsius.

spinnerette

device used to form manufactured filaments

staple fibers

fibers whose length are measured in inches (or centimetres)

static electricity

frictional electrical charge caused by rubbing together two of dissimilar materials. hydrophobic fibers are prone to this.

strength

fiber’s ability to withstand stress

thermoplastic

meltable fiber, can be heated to mold or press to shape, cooled to set. many manufactured fibers are this

tow

crimp can be added to the fiber by heat setting the fibers in a crimped configuration

wet spinning

the solution is forced through the spinnerette and then into a liquid solution in which the fiber solution streams harden into continuous filaments. (acrylic, viscose rayon)

wicking

ability of a fiber to transfer moisture from one section to another; usually along fiber surface; reduced by smooth surface

fiber

an individual, fine, hairlike structure

yarn

fibers that are grouped and twisted together into continuous strands

resilient

wrinkle resistant

cellulosic

natural cellulose, from plants; ash

protein

from animals

synthethic

manmade, not from nature; melts

elongation

ability to increase in strength when under tension

recovery

return to the original length when released

elastomeric fibers

fibers that can elongate at least 100 percent and return forcibly to approximately their original dimensions. eg. spandex, elasterell-p, lastol, rubber

tenacity

fiber strength, the force needed to break fiber. expressed in grams per denier or grams per fabric weight