exam 1 Flashcards
types of natural fibers
Protein Fiber: a fiber comprised of protein, from an animal
Cellulosic fiber: made from plant or plant based materials
Types of protein fibers
silk, wool
types of cellulosic fibers
cotton linen jute hemp bamboo
silk
natural protein fiber, several species of silk worms but 90% of silk comes from a kind of caterpillar that eats mulberry leaves
pros: good tensile strength, luxurious hand
cons: may water spot, yellows with age, degraded by UV light
wool
natural protein fiber,
can be from any animal, Think angora and cashmere!
-long, fine hair sheep makes worsted wool which has a smooth fine surface
-short curly hair produces hefty fabrics with a “warm” hand
pros: resists wrinkling, absorbent, resilient, burns slowly and self extinguishes, drawability
cons: tricky to clean, prickly, too warm
cotton
natural cellulosic fiber,
soft fluffy fiber that grows in a protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants
-native to americas, africa and india
-most widely used natural fiber in cloth
pros: absorbant, dyes well
cons: flammable unless treated with chemicals, tends to wrinkle and soil
linen
natural cellulosic fiber.
textile made from the fibers of the flax plant
-valued for coolness and freshness in hot weather
-pros: lint free, resists pilling and degradation from UV, absorbent, dyes well, resists dirt and stains
cons: wrinkles, reacts to moisture in air, elongates and shrinks with humidity (low elasticity), affects by mildew, orders, bleach
appearance: crisp, smooth or slubs
types of synthetic fibers
- cellulosic man-made fiber: made from plant or plant based materials with chemicals added to enhance the fiber
- noncellulosic fiber: chemical extrusions
types of cellulosic man-made fiber
rayon acetate lyocell PLA bamboo
types of noncellulosic fiber
polyester nylon acrylic polypropylene glass
rayon
discovered in 1890’s, created to mimic to feel like silk.
- from a combination of wood pulp and is chemically bonded into synthetic fibers of cellulose
- pros: absorbent, easy to dye, drapes well, soft, smooth
- cons: need to check wash/care instructions, can wrinkle
- appearance can mimic the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton and linen
acetate
- essentially a rayon fiber with an acid component which results in a heat resistant fiber.
- resists shrinking, moths and is otherwise similar to rayon , often used as a liner
lyocell
created in 1991-trade name Tencel. Very similar to rayon in creation, properties, and appearance but more durable, stronger and easier to clean
PLA
(Poly Lactic Acid)
created in last decade and is made similar to rayon but made from sugar crops, corn and beets. Pros: good wicking, low absorption, lightt fiber, low smoke/flame
bamboo
is manufactured similar to rayon. it is inherently antibacterial. regenerates quickly and slows deforestation
polyester
springy hand, resists wrinkling, shrinkage, mildew; melts, self-extinguishes; oleophillic,
used for carpets, multipurpose, used in blends for upholstery
-pleats and creases must be heat set; crisp hand
nylon
strong, elastic, abrasion resistant, resists damage by many chemicals, low absorbency, hydrophobic
- used for carpet, upholstery, drapery, blends may pill
- lustrous, can be fine or coarse depending on fiber cross section and size
acrylic
low absorbency, dyeable, resists wrinkling, soiling, and damage from UV
-can resemble cotton or wool
used from carpeting, upholstery, novelty, may pill unless continuous fiber
polypropylene (AKA Olefin)
high bulk, resists abrasion, moisture, UV, chemicals, low melting temp, oleophilic
- springy and waxy feel
- used for carpeting, upholstery and used in blends
glass
fiberglass is nonabsorbent, flame resistant, used for window coverings, its heavy can cause skin irritation if handled excess. the term glass curtains is also used inplace of the term sheers, which may be made of another fiber type
