1. Fibers Chapter 14

2. Fibers are the basic unit of all textiles • Yarn is a continuous strand of fibers • Fabric is a textile product made by knitting or weaving yarns together

3. Fibers are combined to make yarns • Yarns are combined to make fabrics

4. Fiber Characteristics • Each fiber has its own characteristics • Fiber source (natural or manufactured) determines characteristics • Fibers may be short, long, curly or straight

5. Fiber Characteristics • Strength – the ability to withstand pulling and twisting • Shrinkage – the ability to maintain size • Warmth – the ability to maintain body temperature • Durability – the ability to hold up in repeated use

6. Fiber Characteristics • Absorbency – the ability to take in moisture • Wrinkle resistance – the ability to resist creasing • Resiliency – the ability to spring back when crushed or wrinkled

7. Selecting Fibers • Knowing fiber characteristics will help you choose the appropriate fiber for the end use • What fiber characteristic would be appropriate for: • Coat - Dress shirt • Bath towel - Work pants • Carpet - Shoe laces

8. Natural Fibers • The most common natural fibers are cotton, linen, wool and silk • The two categories of natural fibers are: • Cellulosic fibers – fibers from plant sources like cotton, flax, ramie, hemp, and jute • Protein fibers – fibers from animal sources like wool, silk, mohair, cashmere, camel’s hair, alpaca, and angora

9. Manufactured fibers • More widely used than natural fibers • Used in clothes, accessories, furniture, and cars • Wide variety of fiber characteristics • Rayon was the first commercially produced fiber in 1924. It was marketed as “artificial silk.”

10. Manufactured Fibers • The two categories of manufactured fibers are: • Cellulosic fibers – make from wood chips dissolved in chemicals. Examples are rayon, acetate, triacetate and lyocell. • Noncellulosic or Synthetic fibers – made from combining the chemicals like nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Examples are nylon, polyester, olefin, acrylic, and spandex.

11. Manufacturing Process • Step 1 – The solid raw material is changed into a liquid. • Step 2 – The liquid is extruded (forced or pushed) through a spinneret with very tiny holes • Step 3 – The liquid is hardened into a fiber

12. Manufactured Fiber Modifications • Fibers can be thick or thin • Cross section can be round, flat or shaped • The color, shine, wrinkle-resistance, absorption, and strength can be varied • Fibers can be crimped, textured, coiled or looped • Fibers can be blended with other manufactured or natural fibers