IB DT: Topic 4.e: Textiles

credits https://sites.google.com/view/designandinquiry/dp-sl-design/topic-4-final-production/4-2-materials/4-2e-textiles?authuser=0

diagram of different textile origins

what is a fibre?

the raw form, used in the manufacture of other materials, called composites. can be processed into long forms called yarns.

what is a yarn?

a long, continuous fibre

what is a thread?

thin yarns used in sewing

what is fabric?

created by cloth produced by weaving, knitting or felting

what are the two types of textiles?

natural fibre or synthetic fibre

what are the properties of natural fibre textiles?

• high absorbency

• low tensile strength

• low elasticity

• burns but doesn’t melt

what are the properties of synthetic fibre textiles?

• low absorbency

• high tensile strength

• high elasticity

• burns and melts

what is wool and what are its properties?

• originates from sheep

• commonly used in clothing such as socks and suits

• highly insulative

• highly durable

• highly absorbent

what is cotton and what are its properties?

• the most common natural fibre, made from the cotton plant

• highly absorbent

• high tensile strength

• durable

• retains colour well

what is silk and what are its properties?

• natural fibre made from silk cocoon

• the strongest of all natural fibres

• thermal properties make it cool in summer and warm in winter

• very smooth and light to the touch

• strength means it has medicinal uses such as stiches

what is nylon and what are its properties?

• synthetic fibre derived from petrochemicals

• good abrasion resistance

• low absorbance

• high elasticity

• ideal for mass production

what is polyester and what are its properties?

• versatile fabric that is strong, quick drying, resistant to scratching, resists mould and stains

• synthetic and derived from petrochemicals

what is lycra and what are its properties?

• synthetic fibre derived from petrochemicals

• very highly elastic

what is a natural fibre?

materials produced by plants or animals that can be spun into a thread, rope or filament

what is a synthetic fibre?

materials made from man-made materials that are spun into thread - the joining of monomers and polymers through polymerisation

how are natural fibres converted from fibres to yarns?

• yarn spinning

• hand spinning: pre-industrial revolution, people made yarns by using a tool called a carder to align parallel the yarns before twisting

• machine spinning

how are synthetic fibres converted to yarns?

most synthetic fibres are known as filament fibres - they are so long that they work as yarn themselves.

what is weaving?

the process of interlocking yarns at right angles to create a fabric

what is knitting?

the process of manipulating yarn in multiple lines to create a tube

what is lace making?

the weaving of yarns and threads into delicate, open patterns

what is felting?

the process of creating a fabric by compressing and matting fibres together. felted fabrics can be quite dense as the fibres are laid down in random, densely packed natures. (made from natural wool and synthetic fibres)

how are textiles recovered/disposed of? are they sustainable?

• recyclable

• donatable

• however, the textile making process is energy and resource intensive.

what ethical considerations come with textile production?

• labour intensive and poor working conditions: most raw material production and textile manufacturing takes place in developing countries, using low-skilled labour and under poor working conditions

• treatment and genetic modification of plants and animals: the genome of goats has been modified by scientists to produce the same silk protein

what are the environmental considerations that come with textile production?

• chemicals and pesticides used in production of natural fibres like cotton have a huge environmental impact

• most synthetic fibres are oil based

• cotton requires loads of water to grow

• dying textiles relies on a range of chemicals and energy intensive processes - poor regulation means that toxic chemicals are released into the environment

• large carbon footprint associated with transportation

• regular cleaning of textiles requires lots of water, cleaning chemicals and energy