Fabrics & Fibers

What are textiles?

Materials used since ancient times that shield us from elements and enhance visual environments.

What are the primary uses of textiles?

Clothing, carpeting, furniture, medical and healthcare applications, automotive, geotextiles, and agrotextiles.

What is a textile fiber?

A fiber that can be spun into yarn or processed into textiles like woven fabric, knit fabric, lace, or felt.

How are textile fibers classified based on sources?

Into two main types: Natural fibers and Synthetic (man-made) fibers.

What are the characteristics of synthetic fibers?

Durable, firm, affordable, but nondegradable, nonrenewable, and can produce toxic waste when decomposed.

What are the characteristics of natural fibers?

Renewable, lower flammability, biodegradable, biocompatible, and do not emit toxic compounds.

What are the steps involved in the apparel industry?

1. Yarn production: Spinning fiber into filament or yarn. 2. Fabric production: Making textile fabrics by weaving or knitting. 3. Finishing: Preparing textiles through bleaching, printing, dyeing, etc. 4. Fabrication: Converting finished cloth into apparel or industrial products.

What historical significance do natural fibers have?

They were the first fibers used, with evidence dating back to 4000 years ago, including cotton, wool, and silk.

When was the first artificial fiber produced?

The first effort was in 1664, but it took 200 years to succeed, with a patent by Audemars in 1855.

What was the process used by Audemars to create artificial fiber?

He dissolved the fibrous inner bark of the mulberry tree, chemically altered it to make cellulose, and formed threads by dropping the solution through a needle.

What is the significance of flax in textile history?

Flax is possibly the oldest cultivated fiber plant, with evidence of usage dating back to 4500 BCE in Southeast Asia and later in Egypt.

What is the oldest evidence of fiber usage?

Findings of flax and wool textiles at Swiss lake dwelling excavation sites from the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.

What is the historical significance of cotton spinning?

Documented in India since 3000 BCE, showcasing the long history of textile production.

What are the classifications of textile fibers based on polymer?

Fibers can be classified according to their polymer structure.

How can textile fibers be classified according to their utility?

Based on the specific applications or uses of the fibers.

What classification is based on the botanical, zoological, or chemical name of fibers?

Fibers can be categorized according to their scientific classification.

What does thermoplasticity refer to in textile fibers?

It refers to the ability of fibers to change shape or form when heated.

What is the role of finishing in textile production?

Finishing prepares textiles for further use through processes like bleaching, printing, and dyeing.

What is the difference between fabrics and textiles?

All fabrics are textiles, but not all textiles are fabrics; textiles include fibers, filaments, and yarns.

What are the main categories of textile fibers?

Natural fibers and synthetic fibers.

What is the significance of the term 'first generation' fibers?

It refers to natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk that were the first used in textile production.

What are geotextiles?

Textiles used in civil engineering and construction for soil stabilization and erosion control.

What are agrotextiles?

Textiles used in agriculture for crop protection and enhancement.

What is sericulture?

The cultivation of silkworms for raw-silk manufacturing, traced back to 2640 BCE in Chinese culture.

How can fabrics be classified?

Fabrics can be classified as synthetic fabrics and natural fabrics based on the type of fibers they are derived from.

What are natural fabrics?

Fabrics produced from naturally sourced raw materials.

What are synthetic fabrics?

Fabrics produced from artificial or man-made raw materials.

What are the two main types of natural fabrics?

Plant fibers and animal fibers.

Name examples of plant fibers used in natural fabrics.

Seed hairs (e.g., cotton), stem fibers (e.g., flax, hemp), leaf fibers (e.g., sisal), and husk fibers (e.g., coconut).

What is cotton known for?

Cotton is the seed-hair fiber of several species of plants of the genus Gossypium and is one of the world's leading agricultural crops.

When was cotton cloth first brought to Europe?

About 800 A.D. by Arab merchants.

What significant event related to cotton occurred in 1492?

Columbus discovered cotton growing in the Bahama Islands.

What invention did Eli Whitney patent in 1793?

The cotton gin, which could process cotton 10 times faster than by hand.

What impact did the cotton gin have on the U.S. cotton crop value?

Within 10 years, the value rose from $150,000 to more than $8 million.

What is linen made from?

Cellulose fibers of the inner bark of the flax plant.

What historical significance does linen have?

Linen is one of the oldest textiles, used for clothing and mummy bandages, and was fundamental in ancient economies.

What cultural significance does linen hold?

Wearing linen connotes purity in many cultures; ancient Egyptians believed the gods were clothed in linen.

What is wool known for?

Wool is noted for its strength and thermal insulation, benefiting from the insulative characteristics of the hair.

What is the origin of the wool sheep?

The wool sheep descends from wild sheep, specifically the mouflon, which had very little wool.

When did evidence of wool sheep presence begin to appear?

Since the 4th millennium B.C., especially in Mesopotamian images.

What is the historical significance of flax in ancient civilizations?

Flax was used for everything from clothing to mummy bandages and was exported by ancient Phoenicians.

What is the significance of the Bayeux Tapestry?

It was made from 70 meters of linen and depicts William the Conqueror seizing the crown from King Harold of England.

What is the relationship between linen and art?

Linen formed the foundation of many great works of art, including armor worn by historical figures.

What is the significance of the cotton gin in the textile industry?

It enabled the supply of large quantities of cotton fiber to the fast-growing textile industry.

How did cotton spread globally?

By 1500, cotton was known generally throughout the world, with seeds planted in Florida and Virginia in the 16th century.

What are the two main categories of natural fabrics?

Plant fibers and animal fibers.

What are examples of animal fibers in natural fabrics?

Wool, hair, and secretions.

What is the origin of wool's history?

Wool's history began in Asia Minor around 10,000 years ago during the Stone Age.

What were the three primary human requirements met by sheep on the Mesopotamian Plain?

Food, clothing, and shelter.

What is leather known for?

Chemically treated animal skins and hides used for clothes, footwear, purses, furniture, tools, and sports equipment.

How long has leather-making been practiced?

Leather-making has been done for over 7,000 years.

What are the initial steps in the leather-making process?

Fresh skins were sun-dried, softened by pounding in animal fats and brains, then salted and smoked.

What historical significance does leather have?

Leather has been used as a protective and functional material for thousands of years.

What is jute commonly referred to as?

The Golden Fibre.

What is the origin of jute as a commercial product?

The first jute mill was established in Bengal in 1856.

What challenges does the jute industry face today?

Competition from other materials, a global economic downturn, and lack of consumer understanding of jute's eco-friendly qualities.

What significant event occurred in the jute industry in 1855?

The establishment of the first jute mill at Rishra, near Calcutta.

What are the health risks associated with asbestos?

Asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

When and where was chrysotile asbestos discovered?

In 1876, in Thetford Township, southeastern Quebec.

Which countries are the top exporters of asbestos?

Russia, Kazakhstan, and China.

What historical uses of asbestos fibers date back to 4000 B.C.?

Asbestos fibers were used for wicks in lamps and candles.

What is rayon known for?

It is one of the most versatile fabrics, taking on properties of silk, cotton, and wool.

What is the origin of rayon?

Rayon originates from wood pulp and was accidentally invented in 1846.

What was rayon initially marketed as when introduced to the American market in 1911?

It was marketed under various names including artificial silk and chemical silk.

What is acetate commonly used for?

Clothing, lining, felts, furniture, carpets, umbrellas, and cigarette filters.

When was acetate first produced in the United States?

In 1924.

What was the original purpose of acetate before it became a fiber?

It was conceived in Europe as a varnish for aviation wings.

What is acetate and its historical significance?

Acetate is a cellulose-based material initially used as an aviation wing varnish in France and developed as a fiber in the UK in 1923. It was invented in the US in 1924 for fabric use, but mass production was delayed until scientists learned to color it.

What challenges did acetate face in its early development?

Initially, acetate cloth faded or discolored due to certain gases and contaminants, but chemists eventually overcame these issues, although some acetates still discolor when exposed to pollution.

What is polylactide (PLA) and its applications?

PLA is a thermoplastic monomer made from sustainable sources like maize starch or sugar cane, used in medicine, food packaging, and popular for 3D printing due to its ability to be sanded, painted, or treated.

Who discovered PLA and when?

PLA was discovered by Wallace Corothers in the 1920s, but it was not marketed widely until later.

What is modacrylic and its primary use?

Modacrylic is a modified acrylic fiber used in high-performance protective gear, particularly for firemen, due to its flame-retardant properties.

What is the composition of modacrylic fibers?

Modacrylic fibers are made up of at least 35% but less than 85% acrylonitrile monomer, often combined with co-monomers like vinyl chloride to enhance flame retardancy.

When was the first modacrylic fiber introduced?

The first modacrylic fiber, Dynel®, was introduced in 1949.

What is olefin and its origin?

Olefin, also known as polypropylene fiber, is a synthetic fabric created in Italy in 1957 and became widely produced in the USA by 1960.

What is the chemical basis of polypropylene?

Polypropylene is made from the gas propylene, which is a co-product of ethylene production.

What historical misconception existed about propylene?

Propylene was historically burned off during oil production as it was thought to have no industrial use.

What is polyester and its chemical composition?

Polyester is defined as long-chain polymers composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester, a di-hydric alcohol, and terephthalic acid.

What was the timeline of polyester's discovery?

Polyester was discovered in the late 1930s by a DuPont lab, but it was not until 1941 that British scientists manufactured Terylene, the first commercial polyester fabric.

Who developed Dacron and when?

DuPont developed Dacron, another polyester fiber, after acquiring the legal rights to the patent in 1946.

What is the significance of polyester in the textile industry?

Polyester is one of the most extensively used textiles globally, making it difficult to find consumer clothing that does not include some polyester fiber.

What are the advantages of using PLA in 3D printing?

PLA is favored in 3D printing because it can be easily sanded, painted, or treated after printing.

What is the environmental benefit of PLA compared to traditional plastics?

PLA is made from biomass rather than fossil fuels, making it a more sustainable option compared to most traditional plastics.

What are the typical co-monomers used in modacrylic fibers?

Common co-monomers for modacrylic fibers include vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, or vinyl bromide.

What are the elastic recovery properties of modacrylic fibers?

Modacrylic fibers have fair elastic recovery, ranging from 79-99% at 2% elongation.

What is a key characteristic of olefin fibers?

Olefin fibers are versatile and can be used in various textile applications.

What was the impact of the discovery of polyester on consumer clothing?

The introduction of polyester significantly influenced the textile industry, leading to its widespread use in consumer clothing.

What are the challenges associated with coloring acetate fabric?

The initial inability to color acetate fabric led to issues with fading and discoloration, which chemists later addressed.

What is the significance of the term 'bioplastic' in relation to PLA?

PLA is considered a bioplastic because it is derived from renewable organic sources, distinguishing it from conventional plastics made from petroleum.

What is the main characteristic of polyester-based clothing under severe heat?

It melts, while most natural fabrics would burn.

What are the two terms commonly used to refer to vinyl fabric?

Synthetic leather and pleather.

What are the main components used to create vinyl?

Ethylene and chlorine.

In what decade was vinyl fabric first used commercially?

The 1930s.

Who was Dr. Waldo Semon and what was his contribution to vinyl?

A BFGoodrich scientist who developed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) while working on an adhesive.

What are some early uses of vinyl fabric?

Raincoats, wire insulators, and synthetic tires.

What are the characteristics of vinyl fabric?

It comes in various colors and textures, has a grain-like texture, and is designed to resemble leather.

What is the primary composition of cotton fibers?

88%-97% cellulose and the rest is made up of waxes, proteins, and pectin.

What are the key characteristics of cotton?

Cool, breathable, stronger than cotton, gets softer with washing, stronger when wet, and not stretchable.

From what plant is linen derived?

The stems of the flax plant.

What are the desirable characteristics of linen?

Durable, moisture-repellent, takes dye beautifully, flame-resistant, retains shape, and resists wrinkles.