CHARACTERISTICS OF TEXTILE FIBRES

The characteristics of fibers vary from fibers to fibers. However, some natural and manmade
fibers shared some common properties

1. Natural fibers
Vegetable fibers are normally used in hotels. Mostly cotton and linen is used in hotel industry.
Silk is used to give luxurious look and feel. Due to high cost of production, natural fibers are
expensive as compared to manmade fibers. Maintenance of natural fibers is also high. For best
results, natural’s fibers are mixed with manmade fibers.

Characteristics of vegetable and animal fibers

Vegetable origin Animal origin

Strong and crisp Soft

Low luster and dull Varying luster
appearance
Crease easily Wrinkle free and resilient
Good absorbent Good absorbent
Safe from moth Not safe from moths
Mildew affects No effect of mildew
Sunlight doesn’t damage Damaged if exposed to
except bleach sunlight for long hours
Less damaged by alkalis Alkalis weaken the fibers
Become strong after getting Becomes weaker after
wet getting wet
Acid weakens the fabric Chlorine bleach damage the
fabric
2. Cotton
Cotton is obtained from a plant and that’s why it is natural fiber. It is found white in its natural
state with staple size 10-65 mm length which makes it shortest in textile fibers. It is processed
from the substance called cellulose. Cotton comprises around 50 percent of the share in fiber
world and called king of fibers.

Physical properties of cotton

It is found in cylindrical or tubular shape with a size of 1/2 inch -2 inches long. The fiber is made
up of cellulose which contains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

Chemical properties of cotton

Use of acids makes the fabric weak and if strong acid is used it will destroy the fabric
immediately. Therefore after treating with mild acids, the fabric should be rinse thoroughly with
clean water.
Sunlight changes the color of cotton fiber into slight yellow if kept for longer time due to the
presence of Ultraviolet rays. The diluted and concentrated acids like sulphuric acids discolor the
cotton fibers.

Biological properties of cotton

Mildew and bacteria damages cotton fibers.

It is safe to use from moths and beetles sliver fish damage the fiber as it eats the cotton cellulose.

3. Silk

It is soft, strong and lighter than any other natural fiber but also expensive. It is a protein fiber.
There are various types of silk like wild silk, waste silk, dupion, spun silk, raw silk etc. The wild
silk is obtained from moths’ species other than bombyx mori. Waste milk is obtained by mixing
silk spun yarns with wool or cotton. It is also called silk noil. Dupion silk is processed by mixing
the silk yarns of two different cocoons. Spun silk processed by short fibers pierced outside and
inside edges of cocoon.

Physical properties of silk

It is the strongest natural fiber. Smoothness of the silk helps in reducing the tear and wear
problem from abrasion

Chemical properties of silk

It is less sensitive as compared to wool. Alkalis in normal conditions do not affect silk fibers but
cold concentrated solutions such as soda does affect silk lightly
It is easy to dye with acid dyes but fads with use

4. Wool
Wool is considered to be the first fiber which was used to make fabric. It grows on ship’s skin
known as Keratin. The idea of making fabric from wool may come from primitive man as he
used to wear sheep skin to cover his body. There are many types of wool available according to
the source of wool like merino wool, lamb’s wool, hogget wool, cotty wool, weather wool etc.

Physical properties of wool

Mild bleach like hydrogen peroxide can be used with cautions but Strong bleach such as sodium
hypochlorite will damage fabric.
Wool is stronger than silk in dry condition but wet wool is about 25% of weaker.
Low heat has lesser or no effect but strong heat weakens the wool fiber and may tend to lose its
color.

Chemical properties of wool

The effect of dilute acids has little effect but hot or concentrated acids damaged the fiber or can
dissolve the fibers.
A strong sodium carbonate solution is not recommended for wool fiber but borax and ammonia
have no bad effect on wool

5. Polyester Fiber
Polyester fiber is a polymer which is produced from the combination of coal, water, air and
petroleum. Polyester being a thermoplastic fiber is strong and durable. Care and cleaning of
polyester fiber is easy. It is mostly used for blending with other fibers which increases the
absorbency of the fabric.

The most regular use of polyester is with woven fabrics. The wool and polyester blended fabric
is more attractive, strong and comfortable. It retains its appearance for longer period. Polyester
fiber is also used in house furnishing, upholstery fabric, tents, ropes, pile fabrics etc.

Physical Properties of polyester

The polyester fibers are generally round and uniform in shape and slight off white color and
partially transparent. Average draping quality.
Good conductors of heat

Chemical Properties of polyester

Polyester has good resistance to alkalies but hot or concentrated alkalies damage the fabric.
Very less or no loss of strength from perspiration

6. Rayon
Rayon is considered as first manmade fiber which contains pure reformed or regenerated
cellulose. Therefore rayon is also identified as regenerated cellulose fiber. Rayon is also
called artificial silk due to its resemblance with natural silk in soft hand feel and luster. Its
chemical properties are more like cotton. It is used in home furnishings, apparels and
making other industrial products.