textiles exam 1 - review

textile

Flexible material made by interlacing fibers, yarns, or fabrics.

fiber

Basic unit of textiles, can be natural or manufactured.

Fiber Morphology

Physical structure of fibers, including shape, surface, and cross-section. Influences properties like luster, strength, and absorbency.

Abrasion Resistance

Ability to resist wear; important for upholstery and activewear.

tenacity

Strength of fiber; impacts durability of ropes and workwear.

absorbency

Ability to hold moisture; critical for towels and activewear

elasticity

Ability to stretch and recover; essential for spandex and performance fabrics.

Cellulosic Fibers

derived from plant sources.

• Types: Seed (cotton), Bast (flax), Leaf (sisal).

Cotton

• Production: Harvested from cotton plants, processed through ginning.

• Processing: Cleaning, carding, spinning.

• Properties: Soft, breathable, absorbs moisture.

• Concerns: High water use, pesticide reliance.

• End Uses: Apparel, bed linens, towels.

Flax (Linen)

• Production: Harvesting flax plants.

• Processing: Retting (microbial breakdown), scutching (removal of woody parts), hackling (fiber separation).

• Properties: Strong, durable, absorbent.

• Concerns: Labor-intensive production.

• End Uses: Tablecloths, summer wear, industrial products.

Protein Fibers

Derived from animal sources

wool

• Production: Shearing sheep.

• Processing: Cleaning, carding, spinning.

• Woolens vs. Worsted: Woolens are softer and bulkier; worsted are smoother and stronger.

• Properties: Warm, resilient, absorbs moisture.

• Concerns: Animal welfare, environmental impact of grazing.

• End Uses: Outerwear, carpets, scarves

Silk

• Sericulture Process: Cultivating silkworms; cocoons are boiled to extract fibers.

• Properties: Lustrous, strong, smooth.

• Concerns: Ethical concerns with sericulture.

• End Uses: Luxury apparel, upholstery, bedding.

Compare & Contrast Cellulosic vs. Protein Fibers

• Similarities: Both natural, biodegradable.

• Differences: Cellulosic fibers are hydrophilic; protein fibers are resilient.

Fiber Manufacturing Process:

• Dope: Liquid polymer solution.

• Extrusion: Forcing dope through a spinneret.

• Solidification: Hardening fiber through wet, dry, or melt spinning.

• Drawing: Stretching to align molecules.

Types of Spinning:

• Wet Spinning: Coagulation bath (e.g., rayon).

• Dry Spinning: Evaporation of solvent (e.g., acetate).

• Melt Spinning: Cooling melted polymer (e.g., polyester).

Regenerated Fibers

Derived from natural materials but chemically processed.

Rayon

• Properties: Soft, absorbent.

• Concerns: Environmental impact from chemical use.

• End Uses: Apparel, upholstery.

Lyocell

• Properties: Strong, absorbent.

• Concerns: More sustainable than rayon but still chemical-heavy.

• End Uses: Casual wear, home textiles.

Acetate

• Properties: Lustrous, thermoplastic.

• Concerns: Weak, sensitive to heat.

• End Uses: Formalwear, linings.

Synthetic Fibers

Chemically synthesized from petroleum-based products

Nylon

• Properties: Strong, elastic.

• Concerns: Non-biodegradable.

• End Uses: Hosiery, outdoor gear.

Olefin

• Properties: Lightweight, moisture-resistant.

• Concerns: Limited dye affinity.

• End Uses: Carpets, activewear.

Polyester

• Properties: Durable, wrinkle-resistant.

• Concerns: Microplastic pollution.

• End Uses: Apparel, industrial textiles.

Acrylic

• Properties: Soft, wool-like.

• Concerns: Flammable.

• End Uses: Sweaters, blankets.

Elastomeric Fibers

Highly stretchable.

• Rubber: Natural or synthetic, high elasticity.

• Spandex: Superior stretch and recovery.

Protective Fibers

• Aramid: Heat-resistant (e.g., bulletproof vests).

• Modacrylic: Flame-resistant (e.g., wigs, protective gear).

• Carbon/Silver: Conductive (e.g., electronics, medical textiles).

Amorphous vs. Oriented

Random vs. aligned molecular structure

Staple vs. Filament

Short vs. continuous fibers

Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic

Water-attracting vs. water-repelling

Textile Fiber Products Identification Act

Accurate labeling

Wool Products Labeling Act

Transparency on wool content

Flammable Fabrics Act

Standards for flammability

Regenerated Fibers:

Rayon, Lyocell, Acetate

Synthetic Fibers

Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Acrylic

Elastomeric & Protective Fibers

Rubber, Spandex, Modacrylic, Aramid, Carbon