polymers
a substance or fibre that has a molecular structure made up of much smaller units which are bonded together; can be natural or manufactured
natural polymers
polymers made from natural sources such as corn starch
manufactured polymers
synthetic polymers are artifical fibres derived from oil, coal, minerals, or petrochemicals
thermoforming polymers
polymers that can be softened by heating, shaped and set over and over again
thermosetting polymers
polymers that can only be heated and shaped once
fibre
a fine hair-like structure
cellulosic fibres
natural fibres from plant-based sources
seeds or stem- cotton, linen, hemp, jute
wood pulp- viscose, rayon, cellulose-based fibres
protein fibres
natural fibres from animal-based sources
hair or fleece of sheep or goat- wool
synthetic
derived from petrochemicals or man-made
microfibres
an extremely fine, specially engineered fibre