Textile Fibers and Their Properties

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to textile fibers and their properties, aiding in the understanding and identification of different types of fibers.

Fiber

Any substance, natural or manufactured, with a high length-to-width ratio that can be processed into a fabric.

Natural Fibers

Fibers that are grown or developed in nature, such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk.

Manufactured Fibers

Fibers created from chemical compounds made in manufacturing facilities.

Staple Fiber

Any natural or manufactured fiber produced in a short length.

Filament Fiber

Fibers that are extremely long or yarns made from these fibers.

Crimp

Waves, bends, twists, coils, or curls along the length of the fiber.

Denier

Weight in grams for 9,000 meters of fiber or yarn.

Tex

Weight in grams of 1,000 meters of fiber or yarn.

Amorphous

Random or disorganized arrangement of molecular chains in a fiber.

Crystalline

Molecular chains that are parallel to each other in a fiber.

Polyester

A commonly used manufactured fiber in apparel and interiors.

Nylon

A widely used synthetic fiber known for its strength and durability.

Olefin

A manufactured fiber known for its moisture-wicking properties.

Acrylic

A synthetic fiber often used as a wool substitute.

Rayon

A semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose.

Chemical Composition

Classification of fibers based on their chemical source such as cellulosic, protein, or synthetic.

Aesthetics

The attractiveness of a textile, influenced by its color, texture, and design.

Durability

The ability of a fiber to withstand wear and tear over time.

Comfort & Safety

Factors related to how a fiber feels and its safety characteristics.

Appearance Retention

The ability of a fiber to maintain its appearance after use and care.

Environmental Concerns

The impact of a fiber's production and disposal on the environment.

Sustainability

The ability to keep fiber production and use environmentally friendly.

Care

Treatment required to maintain a textile product’s original appearance.

Absorbency

The ability of a fiber to take in moisture.

Hydrophilic

Fibers that absorb moisture easily.

Hydrophobic

Fibers that resist absorbing moisture.

Hygroscopic

Fibers that absorb moisture but remain dry to the touch.

Wicking

Ability of a fiber to transfer moisture along its surface.

Resiliency

The ability of a fiber to return to its original shape after bending.

Elongation

The capacity of a fiber to stretch before breaking.

Tenacity

The ability of a textile to resist stress or pulling forces.

Flammability

A fiber’s ease of ignition and ability to sustain combustion.

Cross-Sectional Shape

The shape of a fiber when viewed in cross-section, affecting its properties.

Surface Contour

Describes the texture of the fiber's outer surface.

Fiber Parts

Structural components of natural fibers, including cuticle, inner area, and core.

Polymerization

The process of linking small molecules to form a large molecule called a polymer.

Degree of Polymerization

The number of monomers linked to form a polymer.

Microscopy

Identification method for fibers based on their appearance under a microscope.

Burn Test

A method to identify a fiber's general chemical composition by burning.

Visual Inspection

The first step in fiber identification based on appearance and feel.

Solubility Test

Identifies manufactured fibers based on chemical solubility.

Pilling

Formation of small balls of fiber ends and lint on the fabric surface.

Appearance Retention

The ability of fibers to maintain original appearance after use.

Comfort

How a fiber feels against the skin and its safety aspects.

Creep

Delayed recovery from elongation or strain in materials.

Drape

The manner in which a fabric hangs over a 3D form.

Luster

The way light reflects off the fiber's surface.

Texture

The nature of a fabric’s surface as perceived by the sense of touch.

Translucence

The ability of a textile to allow light to pass through.

Density

Weight of fibers per unit volume, affecting fabric weight.

Allergenic Potential

The likelihood of a fiber to cause allergic reactions.

Heat Retention

The ability of fibers to retain heat, providing insulation.

Environmental Impact

The effect of fiber production and disposal on the ecosystem.

Fiber Identification

The process of determining the type of fiber present in a textile.

Textile Performance

How well a fiber or fabric performs under various use conditions.

Serviceability

The overall usefulness of a fiber in meeting end-use requirements.

Manufactured Fiber Examples

Common examples include polyester, nylon, and spandex.

Cotton

A natural fiber known for its absorbency and breathability.

Silk

A luxury fiber obtained from silkworms, prized for its softness.