TEXTILE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION | HOME SCIENCE | LEC 5 | UGC NET | BY ADITI MAAM

TEXTILE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION | HOME SCIENCE | LEC 5 | UGC NET | BY ADITI MAAM TEXTILE FIBERS Introduction Textiles have such an important bearing on our daily lives that everyone should know something about the basics of fibres and their properties. Textile fibres are used for a wide range of applications such as covering, warmth, personal adornment and even to display personal wealth. Textile technology has come a long way in meeting these requirements. A basic knowledge of textile fibres will facilitate an intelligent appraisal of fibre brands and types and help in identifying the right quality for the application. This bulletin covers various textile fibres and the properties that are important for a suitable textile application. Fibre Classification Textile fibres can be broadly classified into two categories: Natural fibres Man-made fibres CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBERS Fibers are classified by their chemical origin, falling into two groups or families: natural fibers and manufactured fibers. Manufactured fibers are also referred to as man made or synthetic fibers. The classification system used in the United States is dictated by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA). Figure 1 gives a breakdown of textile fibers by these groupings, and the Appendix compares the properties of some of the most commonly used fibers. 2.1 Natural Fibers Natural fibers are those that occur in fiber form in nature. Traditionally, natural fiber sources are broken down into animal, plant, or mineral. Fibers from plant or vegetable sources are more properly referred to as cellulose-based and can be further classified by plant source. They may be separated from the plant stalk, stem, leaf, or seed. Fibers from animal sources are more properly known as protein-based fibers. They are harvested from an animal or removed from a cocoon or web. Mineral fibers are those that are mined from the earth. Except for silk, all natural cellulose- and protein-based fibers a