Textile fibres or textile fibers (see spelling differences) can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, cocoons as with silk worm cocoons), as well as semisynthetic methods that use naturally occurring polymers, and synthetic methods that use polymer-based materials, and even minerals such as metals to make foils and wires. The consumer protection laws requires that fibre content be provided on content labels. Common textile fibres used in global fashion today include:
Animal-based fibres
Fibre | Source | Attribute |
---|---|---|
Alpaca | Alpaca | Soft, warmth, lightweight |
Angora wool | Angora rabbit | Softness, blends well with other fibres |
Azlon | Synthetic | Soft, silky, hygroscopic, also known as Aralac |
Byssus | Pinna nobilis | Warmth, lightweight |
Camel hair | Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties | Softness, warmth |
Cashmere wool | Indian cashmere goat | Softness |
Chiengora | Dog | Fluffy, lightweight |
Lambswool | Sheep | Softness, elasticity, warmth |
Llama | Llama | Lightweight, insulating |
Mohair wool | Angora goat | Dyes well, lightweight |
Qiviut | Muskoxen | Softness, warmth |
Rabbit | Rabbits | Softness |
Silk | Silk worm (Bombyx mori) | Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine |
Eri silk | Silk worm (Samia cynthia) | Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine |
Spider silk | Golden Orb-weaver Spider (Nephila inaurata madagascariensis); transgenic silk worm; transgenic yeast | Ultra-strong, golden, smooth fabric finish with high shine |
Vicuña | Vicuña | Expensive, luxurious, soft |
Wool | Sheep | Warmth |
Yak fiber | Wild Yak | Heavy, warmth |
Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibres)
Fibre | Source | Attribute |
---|---|---|
Abacá | Abaca plant | Thin, lightweight |
Acetate | Wood Pulp | Lustrous, thermoplastic |
Bamboo | Grass pulp | Lightweight, pliable fibre |
Banana | Banana plant pseudostem/leaves | Warm, thick, durable |
Kapok | Pentandra tree | Fluffy, soft and lightweight |
Coir | Coconut | Strength, durability |
Cotton | Shrub | Lightweight, absorbent |
Flax | Herbaceous plant | Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen |
Hemp | Cannabis | Strength, durability |
Jute | Vegetable plant in linden family | Strength, durability |
Kenaf | Hibiscus cannabinus | Rough |
Lyocell | Eucalyptus Tree | Soft, lightweight, absorbent |
Modal | Beech tree | Softness, lightweight |
Piña | Pineapple leaf | Soft, lightweight |
Raffia | Raffia palm | Carpet/rough |
Ramie | Flowering plant in nettle family | Heavy, tough |
Rayon | Wood Pulp | Soft, lightweight, absorbent |
Sisal | Agave sisalana | Strength, durability |
Soy protein | Tofu-manufacturing waste | Wooly, lightweight |
Other plant-based fibers:
Mineral-based fibres
Fibre | Source | Attribute |
---|---|---|
Asbestos Cloth | asbestos | Fire-resistance, light weight, carcinogenic |
Glass, Fibreglass | Mixed silicates | Fire-resistance, futuristic appearance in some Foil, fibres, wire |
Synthetic fibres
Fibre | Source | Attribute |
---|---|---|
Acrylic | Petroleum Products | Lightweight, warm, dries quickly |
Kevlar | Aramids | Very strong |
Modacrylic | Petroleum Products | Lightweight, warm, dries quickly |
Nomex | Aramids | Chemical, electrical, and flame resistant |
Nylon | Petroleum Products | Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly |
Polyester | Petroleum Products | Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly |
Spandex | Petroleum Products | Elastic, strong, lightweight |
Rayon | Regenerated cellulose | Weak when wet |
See also
- Fibre
- Textile
- Textile manufacturing
- Textile manufacturing terminology
- Timeline of clothing and textiles technology
- Units of textile measurement
References
- Calderin, Jay (2009). Form, Fit, Fashion. Rockport. pp. 116–7. ISBN 978-1-59253-541-5.
- "BBC GCSE Bitesize: Types of Fibre". BBC. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- "FiberSource: The Manufactured Fiber Industry". FiberSource. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- Ricklin, Beda. "List of all existing fibers". Swicofil. Retrieved 27 May 2017.