Natural Cellulosic Fibers

Chapter Objectives

  • To identify cellulosic fibers.

  • To explain the characteristics common to all cellulosic fibers.

  • To describe processing, characteristics, and performance unique to each of the commonly used cellulosic fibers.

  • To articulate the basic steps in processing natural cellulosic fibers.

  • To integrate the properties of natural cellulosic fibers with target market needs.

Categorization of Textile Fibers

Textile fibers are broadly classified into Natural and Manufactured categories, with further subdivisions based on their chemical composition and origin.

Natural Fibers

Divided into organic (plant or animal-based) and inorganic (mineral):

  • Protein: Alpaca, Camel, Cashmere, Llama, Mohair, Vicuna, Wool, Silk.

  • Cellulose:

    • Seed Hair: Cotton, Kapok.

    • Bast: Flax, Hemp, Jute, Ramie.

    • Leaf: Manila, Sisal.

    • Other: Coir (from fruit husk), Milkweed.

  • Rubber: Natural rubber.

  • Mineral: Asbestos.

Manufactured Fibers

Generic classification based on chemical composition, as defined by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.

  • Cellulose: Rayon, Lyocell, Acetate, Triacetate.

  • Protein: Azlon.

  • Rubber: Synthetic rubber.

  • Natural Polymer: PLA, Chitosan (derived from natural sugars).

  • Synthetic: Acrylic, Anidex, Aramid, Elastoester, Lastrile, Fluoropolymer, Melamine, Modacrylic, Novoloid, Nylon, Nytril, Olefin, Polyester, Saran, Spandex, Sulfar, Vinal, Vinyon.

  • Metallic & Glass: (Often considered inorganic manufactured fibers).

Natural Cellulosic Fibers: General Overview

  • Definition: Derived from plants.

  • Sub-divisions based on the part of the plant:

    • Seed hair fibers: Attached to the seeds in the pod.

      • Examples: Cotton, Kapok, Milkweed.

    • Bast fibers: Fibrous part of the plant stem.

      • Examples: Flax, Ramie, Hemp, Jute, Kenaf, Nettle, Hibiscus, Bamboo (some forms).

    • Leaf fibers: Come from the fibrous part of the leaf.

      • Examples: Piña, Abaca, Sisal, Seagrass, Raffia, Henequen, Maize, Palm fiber.

    • Fruit husk: Covers the hard shell of the fruit.

      • Example: Coir (from coconuts).

  • Note on Bamboo: While historically used, most bamboo in textiles undergoes extensive chemical processing (like rayon). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires it be labeled as