GCSE EDEXCEL DT: core 1.11 Fibres and textiles

What are the properties of Fibres and textiles

elasticity resilliance durabily

What are natural fibres ?

From plant sources include cotton, flax, hemp, sisal, jute and coconut. Fibres from animals include silk, wool and mohair.

What are the 2 types of natural fibres

* animal wool
* plant cotton

Describe Animal wool

From an Animal’s fleece. Made of protein molecules. Produces a short fibre or staple with a crimp or kink which traps air creating warmth.

What are uses of animal wool

Coats, jumpers, suits, blankets, carpets and upholstery.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of animal wool

Advantages

Warm, absorbent, breathable, durable, repels rain, hangs well, creases drop out.

Disadvantages

Dries slowly, susceptible to moth attack, can feel itchy, washes poorly, can shrink and heavy when wet.

Describe plant cotton

Machine harvested where saw teeth remove waste from the seed pod and the resulting fibre is called lint. Cellulose makes the fibre strong, durable and absorbent. 20-30 layers of cellulose are coiled in natural springs.

What are uses of plant cotton

Towels, denim, socks, underwear, T-shirts and bedding. Shorter fibres make bandages and insulation

What are the advantages and disadvantages of plant cotton

Advantages

Cool, absorbent, soft, resists abrasion, withstands frequent washing at high temperature, good drape, durable, does not stain easily, static and cling resistant, available in various weights, can be ironed at high temperatures, good colour retention.

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Disadvantages

Creases easily, burns, shrinks, dries slowly.

What are synthetic fibres ?

Artificial fibres are usually made using coal, oil and other petrol-based chemicals. Examples include polyester, acrylic, polyamide (nylon), elastane (lycra) and Kevlar

What are the 2 syntheic fibres ?

polyester

Acrylic

Describe polyester

Simple chemical molecules (monomers) are joined to form polymers by polymerisation. The polymer chains are spun into a yarn.

What are uses of polyester

Raincoats, fleece jackets, children’s nightwear, medical textiles, working clothes.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of polyester

Advantages

Strong when wet or dry, dries quickly, resistant to abrasion, soft, hangs well, durable, crease and stain resistant, easy care, can be recycled, resists bacteria.

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Disadvantages

Damaged by acids, low warmth, poor absorbency, does not breathe, not environmentally friendly.

Describe acylic

Formed by polymerisation of at least 85% acrylonitrile or vinyl cyanide. The double bond between the first two carbon atoms is broken and the molecules join in a chain.

What are the uses of acrylic

Imitation wool knitwear, upholstery fabrics, sportswear, fleece jackets and blankets

What are the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic

Advantages

Warm, dries quickly, good drape, durable, crease resistant, easy care.

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Disadvantages

Poor absorbency feels stiff, can irritate skin.

What are woven textiles

Weaving turns yarns into a fabric on a loom, which has an arrangement of warp (vertical) threads held under tension. The edges where the weft (horizontal) threads loop back form a non-fraying edge (selvedge).

What are the two types of woven textiles

* plain weave: Calico
* Twill weave: Denim

Describe Plain weave: calico

A simple cotton cloth where the warp and weft pass over and under each other forming a criss-cross pattern. Calico (muslin) is naturally grey and can be soft or course.

What are the uses of plain weave-calico

Shirts, bags, bedding and textile crafts

What are the advantages and disadvantages of plain weave :calico

Advantages

Strong, hardwearing, hangs well, same on both sides, cheap to make, creating a good background for printing and applied surface designs.

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Disadvantages

Firm and varied quality.

Describe teill weave:Denim

The weft goes over 2 or more warp threads, repeated on the row but steps over one warp thread on the next rows to make a diagonal pattern. Denim is blue in the warp and white in the weft.

What are uses of twill weave:denim

Jeans, jackets, curtains, blankets and soft furnishings.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of twill weave:Denim

Advantages

Hardwearing, strong, hangs well less stiff and more interesting to look at than a plain weave.

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Disadvantages

Frays, thickness makes it hard to use.

What are non-woven textiles ?

Fabrics are layered at different angles to form a web, joined by either felting or bonding. Bonding joins the fibres with heat, solvents or adhesives, so is cheap to produce but not as strong as woven or knitted fabrics

What are the 2 non-woven textiles

* felted wool fabric
* bonded fibres/webs

Describe felted wool fabric

Scaly fibres of wool or hair become tangled as they are rubbed together when wet. Heat and pressure is then applied to join them.

What are the uses of felted wool fabric

Pool table surfaces, hats, bags, coats, slippers, applique quilts and wall hangings

What are the advantages and disadvantages of felted wool fabric

Advantages

Resists chemicals and fire, does not unravel or fray, can be repeatedly compressed and released without deforming, excellent sound insulator and environmentally friendly.

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Disadvantages

Expensive, no drape, not stretchy and deforms when wet

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Describe bonded fibres/webs

Does not fray, weaker when wet, can be produced in a range of weights and not very strong.

what are the uses of bonded fibres/webs

Fusible interfacing, wet wipes and disposable overalls.

what are the advantages and disadvantages of bonded fibres/webs

advantages

Does not fray, cheap to produce, stable and retains shape.

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Disadvantages

Not very strong, does not drape and sometimes weaker when wet.

What are knitted textiles

Knitted textiles are constructed from interlocking loops of yarn and are either warp or weft

What are the types of knitted textiles ?

* warp knitted fabric
* weft - knitted fabric

Describe warp - knitted fabric

Formed by vertical loops like a series of chains. It can only be produced on a machine.

what are the uses of warp-knitted fabric

Swimwear, geotextiles, lace, nets and fleece

What are the advantages and disadvantages of warp-knitted fabric

Advantages

Fairly stretchy, retains heat and does not unravel.

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Disadvantages

Can lose shape and curls at the edges.

What is a weft-knitted fabric ?

A single yarn creates interlocking loops across the fabric. IF a loop breaks, a hole forms and ladders. Made by hand or machine.

What are the uses of weft-knitted fabrics ?

T-shirts, jumpers, tops and socks

What are the advantages and disadvantages of weft knitted fabric

Advantages

Stretchy, comfortable and fast production.

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Disadvantages

Ladders easily.