TEXTILE FIBRES
DEFININTION OF TERMS
1. Fiber: is a single hair like structure used to manufacture yarn/ thread.
2. Yarn: is a continuous strand or thread which is made by twisting fibers
together
3. Fabric: is a cloth made by weaving, interlocking, knitting or bonding
yarns together
4. Textile: is all that is made from fibers e.g. threads, fabric etc.
5. Fabric content: is the information about the origin of the fabric e.g.
100% cotton
6. Blend: is a mixture of different fiber types in a yarn which makes a
blended fabric. E.g. polycotton which is made from polyester and
cotton combined
CLASSIFICATION OF FIBRES
Fibres are classified according to their origin/ source
a. Natural fibers
b. Artificial fibers (man- made)
1. NATURAL FIBRES: Natural fibers are obtained from natural things
e.g. animals, plants/ vegetables and minerals
2. ARTIFICIAL FIBRES (MAN-MADE): These are made from factories.
The chemicals used are from coal or oil, e.g. rayon, nylon, acrylic,
polyester etc.
Manufactured/artificial fibres can also be classified as regenerated or
synthetic fibre. Regenerated fibres are manufactured by combining
wood pulp and cotton linters with chemicals e.g. rayon &
[Link] fibres are manufactured using chemicals only e.g.
polyester and acrylic.
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PROPERTIES OF FIBERS
FABRIC PROPERTIES USES-
EXAMPLES
a. COTTON A good conductor of heat and is fairly sportswear
cool in summer absorbent; this makes bedding
it cool to wear in summer. underwear
Shrinks considerable and creases children’s
easily wear
Withstand high temperatures(tolerate table covers
heat) e.g. hot iron toweling
Strong and durable especially when soft
wet. furnishings
Takes tie and dye well because of protective
absorbency clothing
Suitable for children’s wear because it
is hard wearing and can start frequent
washing
Damaged by strong acids
Easily affected by mildew, so it should
be kept dry
Flammable i.e. it catches fire and
burns in flames and smells like a
burned paper
It is relatively cheap
Not affected by alkalis
POLYESTER & Strong when wet or dry Outerwear
COTTON Crease resistant Sportswear
(polycotton) blends Not absorbent Scarves
Resilient Neckties
sensitive to heat Suits
Blends well with other fibers
Can be permanently set using Heat
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POLYESTER It I strong & durable Tents
Does not crease easily Ropes
Does not shrink Fishing lines
Easily damaged by heat & will melt if Curtains
a very hot Furnishings
NYLON Very strong Sportswear
Not affected by mildew Blankets
Not absorbent Carpets
Damaged by strong sunlight Coats
Lustrous Sweaters
Washes easily Suits
Does not shrink Dresses,
Resilient Socks
Builds static electricity hats
ACRYLIC Resilient Sportswear
Crease resistant Blankets
Soft, light and warm to wear Carpets
Very strong Coats
Dries quickly Sweaters
Not damaged by sunlight and Suits
chemicals Dresses
Color-fast Socks
Not absorbent Hats
Does not withstand high temperature
Not damaged by insects or mildew
RAYON Creases easily Sportswear
Does not withstand high Neckties
temperatures Underwear
Weak Shirts and
Damaged by acids and sunlight blouses
Destroyed by mildew when stored in
moist conditions
Absorbent
BLENDS
A blend is where two or more different fibers are twisted together to
produce a yarn. The fibers can be combined together to create different
fabrics.
ADVANTAGES
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1. The blend has improved properties e.g. cotton can withstand high
temperatures but creases badly. Polyester on the other hand is crease
resistant but is easily damaged by high temperatures. But when we
blend cotton with polyester we get a fabric that is both crease resistant
and that can withstand a slightly higher temperature than polyester on
its own.
2. It reduces the cost when an expensive fiber is blended with a cheaper
fiber, for example cotton blended with nylon and wool.
3. it improves the wear ability of fibers, for example the comfort of cotton
and the crease resistant of polyester
4. it creates a wide range of fabrics from which to choose
TEST YOURSELF
1. Define the following terms
a. Fibre content
b. Blend
2. Give two properties of silk
3. A local garment firm produced two different types of protective
clothing. Garment A shrinks and creases badly, garment B dries easily
and need little ironing
a. State fabrics which might have been used to make garment A and B
b. Name the classes of fibre in which fabrics mentioned in a) above
falls under
c. Explain what can be done to fabric A to reduce its shrinkage
d. Discuss one property of the fabric used for making garment B that
makes it suitable for making protective clothing
4. Differentiate between natural and manmade fibres
5. State any two properties of wool
6. Explain why cotton material is used to make baby’s nappies
7. State the reason for blending fibres
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8. Why is cotton used to for making dish towels?
9. Classify natural fibres and give two examples of each
10. Define the following terms
a. Fibre content
b. Blend
11. Cotton is used to make baby clothes.
a. Explain why it is the most suitable fabric. Write any two suitable
points
b. Write any two items that can be made from cotton
c. Cotton falls under which natural fibres
d. State any two examples of cotton fabrics
e. State one other fibre that has similar properties to cotton
f. List two properties of the above fabric
12. Your mother has just bought a nylon blouse, advice her on the
care of nylon fabric
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