Assignment:

Research on Fibre, Yarn and

Fabric
Submitted by:

Ekta Jaiswal
Roll no.-23
Mfm 1st sem
Batch-2009-11
 Table of Contents
1.
TEXTILE:
The word is derived from the Latin word ‘Textilis’ and the French word ‘Texere’ means ‘to weave’; or pertaining to
weaving or to woven fabrics; as, textile arts; woven, capable of being woven; formed by weaving; as, textile fabrics.

Textile originally referred only to woven fabrics, now generally applied to fibers, yarn intermediates, yarns, fabrics and
products made from knitted, bonded, felted, and tufted fabrics as well.

The word textile when used as a ‘Noun’ meant any item manufactured from natural or man-made fibers or filaments, e.g.
yarns, threads, cords, ropes, braids, lace, embroidery, nets and fabrics made by weaving, knitting, braiding, felting,
bonding and tufting. The word Textile when used as an ‘Adjective’ applies to textile machinery, buildings and
organizations connected with the technology of their manufacture, e.g. Textile Printing, Textile Research and Textile
mill.

The basic raw materials used in textile production are fibers, either obtained from natural sources or produced from
chemical substances. Textiles are used for wearing apparel, household linens and bedding, upholstery, draperies and
curtains, wall coverings, rugs and carpets, and book-bindings, in addition to being used widely in industry.

FIBER:
Fiber is a basic unit of matter in textile, which possesses the properties of flexibility, fineness and a high ratio of length to
thickness. These are the hair-like raw materials that are spun into yarns and then made into fabrics. It is a class of
materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces

They can be spun into filaments, string or rope, used as a component of composite materials, or matted into sheets to
make a textile product.

On the basis of the length of the fibers, they can be classified into two types:-

Staple fiber:
 A staple is a short fiber of limited length
 A single staple is very weak.
 Several staples have to be twisted together to become yarn

Filaments:
 A filament is long, continuous strand of fiber.
 A filament is usually man-made (silk is the only known natural filament).
 Filament can be cut into staple lengths which are spun on their own or in mixtures with other
staples.
 GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBRES

Textile

Natural Man Made

Cellulose Base2 Protein Base3 Mineral Organic Inorganic

Base
--Flax Staple Filament Natural Polymer Base
Asbestos Synthetic Polymer Base
-- Jute Hair Silk
--Hemp --Alpaca Cellulose Base Acrylic*
--Ramie --Camel Rayon* Anidex*
Leaf --Cashmere Acetate* Fluorocarbon
--Manila --Llama Triacetate* Lastrile*
--Sisal --Mohair Protein Base Modacrylic*
Seed Hair --Vicuna Azlon* Nylon* Glass*
--Cotton Wool Nytril*
Metallic*
--Kapok --Sheep Aliginate Olefin*
Speciality
Polyester*
Rubber* Rubber*
Saran*
Spandex*
Vinyl*
Vinyon*

* Generic Classification based on chemical composition-Textile Fiber Products Identification

Act
2
Vegetable
3
Animal
YARN: Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing,
knitting, and weaving. Yarn can be made from any number of synthetic or natural fibers. Yarn is usually measured by
weight. Yarn used for manufacture of fabric is made by spinning short lengths various types of fibers.

Classification of Yarn

A .Based on structure or composition:

1. Filament yarn: A filament yarn is a collection of parallel filaments lying close together, straight along the whole
length of the yarn. All filament yarns, with one exception, are man-made, the only exception being silk. Silk is of course
a natural protein filament extruded by the silk-worm.

The man-made yarns are made by producing, in one operation, the required number of filaments, at the desired
thickness.

• Yarns made from only one filament are known as monofilaments.

• Yarns made from more than one filament are known as multifilaments.
• Two or more single yarns twisted together are called as Ply yarn.
• Two or more ply yarns twisted together are called as Chord/Rope.
• Folded yarns Also called doubled yarns. These are yarns in which two or more single yarns have been twisted
together in one process. They can be two-fold, three-fold or more.

Cabled yarns Forming cabled yarns involves more than one operation. Two or more strands of already plied
(folded) yarns are twisted together

2. Staple yarn: spun-staple yarns are made by assembling and binding together staple fibers. The way the fibers are put
together will depend on what characteristics are required, such as the amount of strength or the quality of handle and
appearance that are needed.

Staple fiber yarns can be natural or man-made. To create a man-made staple yarn the continuous filament is chopped up
into staple lengths before spinning.
Virtually all the synthetic yarns specifically produced for knitting, are staple fiber yarns.
A .Based on Twist: The two important factors of twist are the direction of the twist and the angle of the twist.
There are two types of twist:-

1. S-twist: When two or more yarns twisted together in clockwise directions then it is known as S-twist.

2. Z-twist: When two or more yarns twisted together in anticlockwise manner then it is known as Z-twist.

The purpose of twist in staple and filament yarns is to generate lateral pressure, which helps to grip the fibers firmly
together. The greater the twist, the higher the lateral pressure and the more closely the fibers are held.

C .Based on Shape:

1. Simple yarn: Any yarn that does not have any constriction throughout the surface is known as Simple yarn.

2. Decorative Yarn: Yarns having knots, constrictions, heart-shaped structures, soft balls etc. on their surface are
known as Decorative or Novelty yarn.
FABRIC: A manufactured assembly of fibers or yarns (or both) that has substantial surface area in relation to its
thickness, and sufficient mechanical strength to give the assembly inherent cohesion also known as Cloth.

Fabric or cloth is a flexible artificial material that is made by a network of natural or artificial fibers. The example is
thread or yarn which is formed by weaving or knitting as in textiles. Cloth is mostly used in the manufacturing of
clothing and household furnishings etc. Cloth is made in many varying strengths and degrees of durability, from the
finest gossamer fabrics to sturdy canvas sailcloth’s.

Fabric has several definitions. Some of them are discussed below.

* Cotton is the most famous fabric and most widely used fiber in the world because of its versatility and ability to
provide good comfort, particularly in apparel items. Cotton is soft, natural, vegetable fiber obtained from the seed-pod of
the cotton plant. The use of cotton is diverse for example it is used in apparel, home furnishings, towels, rugs, and sewing
thread etc.

* Polyester, it is a type of fabric which is a synthetic, man-made fiber produced. Some of it's features are crease
resistance, ability to dry quickly, shape retention in garments, high strength, abrasion resistance, and minimum care
requirement. It is very important fiber in upholstery fabrics, which is often used in warps due to its strength and
inexpensiveness.

* Silk is a natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in cocoon. Silk is mostly collected from cultivated worms, it
is a thicker, shorter fiber produced by worms in their natural habitat. Primarily found in Asia there are several types of
silk like tussah silk and wild silk etc.

* Acrylic, it is a synthetic fiber. It has a soft, wool-like hand, and is generally able to be dyed in a wide range of brilliant
colors. Excellent sunlight resistance and wrinkle resistance is it's great feature.

* Velvet which is another type of popular fabric is basically a warp pile cloth in which rows of short cut pile stand so
close together as to form an even, uniform surface. Velvet is appealing in look and with soft. A different fiber including
silk is used in making of velvet.

* Damask is mainly made in china and it is firm, glossy jacquard-patterned fabric. It is a reversible fabric characterized
by a combination of satin and sateen weaves. You can distinguish it from the ground by its contrasting luster.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural and man-made fibers

A. Natural Fiber:

COTTON

Advantages Disadvantages
a) Cotton is washable and durable, holding up well a) As it has no elasticity, it wrinkles easily
after many launderings. (however, wrinkle-resistant finishes have
recently been created that make cotton easier to
care for).
b) Cotton absorbs dyestuffs easily to produce a b) It soils easily because of the rough surface of
wide range of vivid colors. cotton yarns. It also shrinks on washing,
particularly when strongly alkaline washing
solution is used.
c) It also absorbs moisture, which makes it feel c) Cotton is weakened by hot concentrated
cool against the skin in hot, humid weather. bleaches.
d) Cotton is very versatile & can be made in both d) Cotton becomes weakened and yellow on
light weight for summer and heavier weight for prolonged exposure to sunlight.
winter.
e) Cotton fabrics ranges from the light and sheer e) It creases easily and dries slowly.
(such as voile and batiste) to the heavy and thick
(corduroy, flannel and chenille) to the strong and
sturdy (denim).
f) It is relatively cheap.

Source-Cotton plant.

Uses- Used for making jeans, t-shirts and towels, home furnishings, rugs, and sewing thread etc.
 LINEN

Advantages Disadvantages
a) The cool, crisp, lightweight qualities of linen a) Linen is the least elastic of the natural fibers
makes it especially suited for summer clothing. and linen garments creases badly.
b) Linen is stronger than cotton because of the b) Linen has poorer affinity for dyes.
greater length of the fibers and it becomes stronger
still on wetting.
c) Being a very good conductor of heat clothes c) It is expensive.
made from it are cool to wear.
d) As it has smooth surface, linen does not soil d) It is very flammable.
readily. Stains remain on surface which makes
them easier to remove.
e) Linen can withstand high ironing temperatures.

Source- Flax

Uses- used to make summer clothing, tea towels and tablecloths.

SILK

Advantages Disadvantages
a) The silk fiber is triangular and reflects light a) Silk fabrics can be seriously damaged by
giving silk its unique luster. perspiration.
b) It takes dyes with exceptional depth and clarity b) It scorches easily.
and has a luxurious feel. It adds elegance to any
garment.
c) Silk has insulation properties making the water c) Silk is expensive.
feel cool in summer and warm in winter.
d) Silk drapes exceptionally well, is very strong d) Strength of silk decreases slightly on wetting.
yet lightweight and is comfortable as well as
beautiful.
e) It does not soil easily.

Source- Silk worm

Uses- It is used for evening wear and ties.


Advantages
a) Wool fiber has an unusual ability to absorb and
evaporate moisture.
b) Wool fibers are firm, yet soft and resilient,
making wool fabrics resistant to wrinkling and
comfortable to wear.
c) As it is warm, wool has traditionally been used
for fall and winter suits and coats.
d) It has air pockets which give it insulating
quality.
e) It is also used in absorbing odors and noise in
machinery and stereo speakers.
Source- sheep
Uses-it is used for jumpers, suits and blankets.
B. Man- Made Fiber
NYLON
Advantages
a) Nylon is light weight.
b) It is strong, flexible, washable and colorfast.
c) It is no-absorbent and fast drying.
d) Smooth surface of nylon makes it resistant to
soiling.
Source-Polyamide; synthetically made.
Uses- Sportswear, fleece jackets, socks and seat belts etc.
WOOL
Disadvantages
a) Wet wool felts during knead and pressing.
However it could prevent with easy care
treatment or a blending with polyester which does
not felt without chemical treatment.
b) Wool is vulnerable to moth. However it could
be prevented against moth by a special treatment.
c) It does not have good drape and is not durable.
d) If it is not dry cleaned it may shrink.
Disadvantages
a) It becomes electrically charged on rubbing.
b) High moisture pickup with related dimensional
instability.
c) High moisture absorptive degrades electrical
and mechanical properties.
d) High shrinkage in molded sections.
e) It has low warmth.
 POLYSTER

Advantages Disadvantages
a) Polyester is highly wrinkle-resistant and easy to a) It has low warmth.
care for.
b) It has a soft handle a good drape. b) Polyester is non-absorbent.
c) It is very durable. c) Oily and greasy stains are absorbed into the
fibers and are difficult to remove.
d) It can be recycled.
e) It is crease resistant and fast drying.

Source- organic polyester synthetically made.

Uses- Polyester is used for raincoats, fleece jackets, children’s nightwear, medical textiles and working clothes.

VISCOSE

Advantages Disadvantages
a) Viscose yarn has better water absorbing quality. a) Viscose is not durable and creases easily.
It is air permeable.
b) Viscose yarn has a strong dying and draping b) Shrinkage occurs on washing.
behavior. These qualities give it an excellent
advantage in using Viscose yarn for weaving,
knitting, embroidery, braids, and laces
manufacturing.
c) Viscose yarns have a high grade of moisture c) Viscose is not very elastic.
absorbent quality giving the user comfort in wear.
d) Regenerated cellulose filaments are highly d) The fibers are damaged by heat and should be
lustrous. ironed on cooler settings.
e) It does not soil easily.

Source- Cellulosic vegetables.

Uses- It is used for shirts, dresses and linings etc.

 ACRYLIC

Advantages
a)Acrylic fabrics are warm, soft, light and
resilient.
b)It is easy to care for durable and crease resistant.
c)It is non-absorbent and fast drying.
d)Fabrics made from acrylic do not soil or stain
easily and dirt is easily removed from them.
e)Acrylic fibers are very resistant to degradation
by sunlight.
Disadvantages
a)Acrylic fibers are highly flammable and
produce poisonous gas when burned.
b)They are not as strong as nylon and polyester.
c)It is hard to pack it.
d)It is a bad heat resistance.

Source- synthetically made Organic poly acrylonitrile.

Uses- It is used for jumpers, fleece jackets and blankets.