Fibre Textiles

FIBRE TEXTILES

Textile fibres are microscopic hair like substances with comparatively high ratio of length to width that helps in spinning them into yarns or bonding them together for creating fabrics directly. Fibre is what the fabrics are made of and textile fibres are distinguished by their suitability for conversion into fabrics. In spinning, fibres are twisted together lengthwise for producing a continuous strand called yarn. Apart from having several hundred times of length in relation to its length, the textile fibres need also to be strong enough to withstand the mechanical actions of spinning, weaving, knitting, etc. Other properties like elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, lustre, and crimp are also necessary for improving the quality of yarns, fabrics and garments.

 
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIBRE TEXTILES

Textiles can be classified based on its origin, length and also by its thermoplastic properties. Based on their sources, textile fibres are broadly classified into natural and man-made or manufactured fibres. There are also several sub categories under each as explained below:

❖ Natural Fibres: Natural fibres are classified, according to their origin as vegetable fibres, animal fibres and Mineral fibres.

Vegetable fibres: These fibres are derived from plant or vegetable sources such as stalk, stem, leaf, or seed pods, and include cotton, linen, jute, flax, ramie, coir, sisal and hemp.

Animal fibres: Fibres sourced from animals are also known as protein- based fibres. They are harvested from animals or removed from cocoons or webs and include silk, hair, fur, wool, feathers, etc.

Mineral fibres: These fibres are mined from the earth. The asbestos fibre for example, found its use in textile because of its acid, fire and rust resistance. However. It is being phased out because of its suspected carcinogenic effect.

❖ Man Made Fibres: Man Made Fibres are artificial fibres manufactured using chemical or metallurgical technologies and fall into the following categories:

Regfenerated Fibres: These fibres are prodouced using a natural source as a base and using a chemical process for generating the filament. Examples include viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon, acetate rayon, rubber fibres, etc . some of the recent additions to this include Lyocell and Tencel.

Based on length fibre textiles are classified as follows:

Sunthetic Fibres: These are manufactured using only chemical processes and use petroleum, natural gas and coal as the raw materials. These raw materials are converted into substances capable of forming fibres. The petrochemical industry is the main source of fibres in this category with coal and natural gas also contributing a bit. Nylons, polyesters, acrylics and polypropylene are examples of synthetic fibres.

Staple Fibres: Any fibre with a limited or finite length is called as staple fibre. It includes fibres like cotton, wool, jute etc. These natural fibres may be a short staple fibre having a maximum length of 60 mm or a long staple fibre having lengths between 60 to 150 mm. Staple fibres must be spun or twisted together to make a long continuous strand of yarn. They may also be used in their staple form to produce non-woven or felted fabrics. Synthetic fibres can be cut into short lengths for the purpose of blending with natural staple fibres or used on their own to produce yarns with a natural feel.

Filaments: All fibres having unlimited or infinite lengths are called filaments. Silk is a natural filament, which is reeled from cocoons. Man-made fibres nylon, polyester etc. are also filaments by forcing liquid raw materials through spinnerets and then hardened to produce continuous filament strands of a determined length. Regular filament yarns are smooth and silk-like as they come out of the spinneret. Filament yarns have no protruding ends and therefore, do not shed lint or pill. Filament fibre is usually stronger than staple.