Textiles Exam I Study Cards

Abrasion resistance

Ability to withstand rubbing.

Absorbency

Ability to take up moisture.

Aesthetics

The look and feel of a textile.

Aging resistance

Ability to resist deterioration or changes associated with aging.

Appearance retention

Ability to maintain appearance during use and care.

Care

Treatment required to maintain a textile product.

Chemical reactivity

How a fiber reacts to chemicals such as acids and alkalis.

Comfort

How a textile performs and feels through use and wear.

Cost

The monetary consideration associated with a textile product.

Cover

Ability of a fiber/fabric to cover or conceal.

Density

Weight of a fiber; specific gravity.

Dimensional stability

Ability to retain size through care.

Drape

The way fabric hangs on a 3-D form.

Durability

Ability to withstand use and wear.

Elastic recovery

Ability to return to original shape after elongation.

Electrical conductivity

Ability to conduct an electrical charge.

Elongation

Ability to stretch without breaking.

Fabric crimp

Waviness created in yarn by the fabric structure.

Fiber chemistry

Chemical composition and structure of a fiber.

Fiber crimp

Waves, bends, or twists along the fiber shaft.

Filament fibers

Long fibers with no visible fiber ends and little/no pilling.

Flammability

How a fiber responds to flame or burning.

Flexibility

Ability to bend repeatedly without breaking.

Hand

How a fiber or fabric feels to the touch.

Heat conductivity

Ability to transfer heat.

Heat retention

Ability to hold heat.

Heat sensitivity

How a fiber responds to high temperatures.

Hydrophilic

Water-loving; readily attracts/takes up moisture.

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing; resists moisture.

Insect resistance

Ability to resist damage from insects.

Light resistance

Ability to resist damage from light/UV exposure.

Loft

Ability to maintain or recover bulk/thickness.

Luster

How light is reflected from a fiber or fabric.

Manufactured fibers

Fibers produced through manufacturing; sources may include petroleum or materials from nature.

Mildew resistance

Ability to resist mildew/fungal damage.

Monofilament

A filament yarn made from one filament.

Multifilament

A filament yarn made from multiple filaments.

Natural fibers

Fibers from natural sources such as plants and animals.

Oleophilic

Oil-loving; attracted to oils.

Performance

How a textile behaves.

Pilling

Fiber-ball formation on a fabric surface caused by abrasion.

Resiliency

Ability to resist/recover from deformation, crushing, or creasing.

Safety

Ability of a textile to perform without creating unacceptable hazards.

Serviceability

How well a textile performs for its intended end use.

Shrinkage resistance

Ability to resist a decrease in dimensions during use or care.

Smooth filament fibers

Filament fibers with a smooth, relatively straight surface.

Staple fibers

Short fibers with visible fiber ends; can pill and lint.

Strength

Ability to withstand a pulling force; tenacity.

Sustainability

Consideration of environmental and resource impacts associated with textiles.

Texture

Surface characteristics.

Textured filament fibers

Filaments modified to add texture, bulk, or crimp.

Wicking

Movement of moisture along or through a textile.

Staple fiber length

Short; measured in inches/cm; fiber ends visible; associated with pilling and lint.

Filament fiber length

Long; measured in yards/meters; no fiber ends; little/no pilling.

Which natural fiber is the exception and occurs as a filament?

Silk.

What yarn type is made from staple fibers?

Spun yarn.

What yarn type is associated with long continuous fibers?

Filament yarn.

What effect does a larger fiber diameter have?

Increased abrasion resistance and bulk.

What effect does a smaller fiber diameter have?

Increased drape and softer hand.

What does cross-sectional shape influence?

Luster, cover, hand, texture, and bulk.

What is surface contour?

The outside shape and characteristics of a fiber.

What influences surface contour?

Cross-sectional shape.

What is fiber crimp?

Waves, bends, or twists along the fiber shaft.

What does greater/3-D crimp increase?

Texture, bulk, resiliency, and cohesion.

What is associated with a linear fiber?

More luster, better drape, and smoother hand.

🖼️ Identify: linear fiber

High luster/drape; smooth hand; low bulk/cohesion.

🖼️ Identify: 2-D crimp

Moderate properties.

🖼️ Identify: 3-D crimp

High texture, bulk, resiliency and cohesion; soft hand.

Orientation

Molecular arrangement relative to the fiber's lengthwise axis.

Amorphous orientation

Random polymer arrangement.

Oriented structure

Polymers arranged parallel to the fiber length.

What properties increase with an amorphous arrangement?

Absorbency, elongation, and thermal retention.

What happens to strength in an amorphous arrangement?

Strength decreases.

What properties increase with orientation?

Strength and abrasion resistance.

What properties decrease with orientation?

Absorbency and elongation.

Crystallinity

Molecular chains arranged parallel to each other.

What properties are associated with crystalline AND oriented structure?

Increased strength and abrasion resistance.

Drawing

Pulling/stretching a fiber to increase orientation and crystallinity.

What does drawing increase?

Length, strength, and abrasion resistance.

What does drawing decrease?

Diameter, absorbency, and elongation potential.

Protein fibers

Natural fibers composed of amino-acid protein polymers.

Examples of the Big Four protein fibers

Wool and silk.

Protein fiber absorbency

GOOD; moisture regain approximately 11–18%.

Protein fiber elasticity

GOOD.

Protein fiber resiliency

GOOD.

Protein fiber tenacity

LOWER.

Protein fibers when wet

Lower wet strength.

Protein fiber abrasion resistance

POOR.

Protein fiber dimensional stability

POOR, especially wool.

Protein fiber UV/weather resistance

POOR.

Protein fiber resistance to chlorine bleach/oxidizing agents

POOR.

Protein fiber resistance to alkalis

POOR.

Protein fiber resistance to dry heat

POOR.

What insects can damage wool?

Moths and carpet beetles.

Cellulosic fibers

Natural plant fibers composed primarily of cellulose.

Examples of the Big Four cellulosic fibers

Cotton and linen.

Cellulosic absorbency

GOOD; moisture regain approximately 7–12%.

Are cellulosics hydrophilic?

Yes.

Cellulosic tenacity

MODERATE to STRONG.

What happens to cellulosic strength when wet?

Increases approximately 10–30%.