TEXTILE FIBERS AND

THEIR PROPERTIES
Prepared by: Rhanney L. Gonzales
 TEXTILE FIBERS
• A generic term for anyone of the various types of matter
having that form a basic elements of a textile that is
characterized by having a length at least 100 times its
diameter (ASTM 1986)
• Textile fiber is a material mainly made from natural or
synthetic sources. This material will be converts into the
making of textile yarns and fabrics; woven, knitted,
nonwoven, and carpets. It may be in a form of a pliable
hair like strand or as the smallest visible unit of textile
production(McGraw-Hill Science & Technology
Encyclopedia 2005)
https://textechdip.wordpress.com/contents/textile-fiber/a
 CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER
• In textile industry, fiber can be classified into two different
types based on their sources which are Natural fiber and
Synthetic fiber or well-known as Man-made/ Manufactured
fiber.

• Group of fibers that are related in their chemical structure

may be compared with large, extended families. Each fiber
family group is made up of smaller family units. These smaller
family units are, in turn, composed of a number of individual
units. Subunits of the protein family include:

➢ Silk
➢ Animal Fibers
➢ Regenerated protein fibers that can be made fromncorn,
soybean, peanut or milk protein
CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER

• Within the family are certain “family resemblances” or

ways in which the members are alike.

• Example- most proteins fibers show similarities; they are

harmed by dry heat, and are weaker wet than dry
• Silk has high luster, wool does not
• Vicuna and Cashmere are exceptionally soft and luxurious
to the touch
• The color of camel’s hair cannot be removed easily.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER
Natural fiber
• It is a fiber made from a material originated from natural
sources. There are three main sources that can be obtained
to produce this kind of fiber. Cellulosic fiber (origin from
plant), Protein fiber (origin from animal) and also Mineral
fiber. This kind of fiber could only produce a staple yarn
(short fibers) in terms length which is not too long compare
with Synthetic fiber. The dimensional structure of Natural
fiber would be in hairiness surface because of their origin.
Each kind of them has their own characteristic and end-use
demands.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER
Natural Fiber

Plant Fiber

Cellulosic fiber could be obtained and categorized into three main types,
Seed, Bast/Stem, and Leaf.
 CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER
Natural Fiber
Protein fiber could be obtained from three categories,
Hair, Wool, and Filament.
MAJOR CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBERS

Natural
Fibers

Cellulose Rubber Mineral Protein

Leaf
Seed Best Asbestos Animal Extruded
and
Hair Fibers Hair
Other

Agave Wood
Linen Cashmere
Coir
Ramie
Henequen Alpaca Silk
Cotton Jute
Pina Llama
Hemp
Kapok Kenaf Maguey camel
Synthetic Fiber

The term Synthetic fiber refers to materials that is not originated in natural
sources but are developed by human by using chemical and mechanical
process. Thus, Synthetic fiber is well-known as the Man-made fiber. Unlike
Natural fiber, the properties of this fiber can be determined or controlled early
before the production occurs. Unlike natural, Synthetic fiber is produce in a
filament yarn or filament staple yarn base on the end-use. The dimensional
appearance can vary according to the demand usage and in fact, it can be as
same-like appearance and properties as the Natural fiber.

There are two base types of man-made that have been widely used by the
textile industry, Natural Polymer base and Synthetic base.
Synthetic Fiber
Synthetic base refers to a fiber that has been made totally by the man-
made process by using chemical substance as the sources. The
properties of it will be determined totally at the initial for their demands
by the manufacturer.
MAJOR CLASSIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBERS
COMPARISON BETWEEN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC
TEXTILE FIBER PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION ACT (TFPIA)
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established names and
definitions for each of the families of manufactured fibers.

• The family name is the generic name or generic classification of

the fiber. Generic classifications are based on chemical repeating
units present in fibers. Fibers that are members of the same generic
group have similar chemical and physical properties.
• The law requires fibers content labeling of textile products. It is
modeled from Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939. It requires all
products have a label attached that lists the names of the fibers
which they are made:
• Fiber listing must be done in order of the percentage of fiber by weight
that is present in the product
Ex. 60% polyester Generic names used
30%cotton
10% spandex

or 60% Dacron @ polyester Trademarks are used

30% Cotton
10% Lycra @ spandex
TEXTILE FIBER PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION ACT (TFPIA)
• Note: the Trademark is Capitalized while the generic name is
not
• Fiber quantities of less than 5% must be labeled as “other fiber”
• If the fibers are listed, the function of the minor components
must be stated.
• Ex. 96% nylon,4% spandex for stretch

• Where products are made from fibers that have not been
identified, from mixed reused fiber, the label may indicate that
such a product is “composed of miscellaneous scraps, rags, odd
lots, textile by-products, second hand materials, or waste
materials.
• Ex. 45% rayon
35% acetate
20% miscellaneous scraps of undetermined fiber content
 TEXTILE FIBER PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION ACT (TFPIA)

• No trademarks or other terms may be used that imply the presence of

a fiber that is not actually a part of the product.
• Ex. SILK-SHEEN blouses WOOLY WARN BLANKETS
100% nylon 100% acrylic

The LAW also requires that either the name of the manufacturer of the
product, a registered trademark, or a registered identification number
appear on the label.
Amendment to the TFPIA in1984
sought to clarify the improve country of origin labeling
requirements:
1.Country of origin (placed in the neck of the garment having a neck;
for those without necks, it must be placed on a conspicuous spot on the
side of the inside or outside of the product.
2. All products are to be separately labeled except when several pairs
of hosiery are enclosed in pone retail package that willnot be opened
before its safe.
3. Packages must also be labeled.
 PROPERTIES OF TEXTILE FIBERS

• Fibers are the main materials from which most textiles

products are made.
Whether a fiber can be used in the creation of a yarn or
fabric depends upon the physical, mechanical, and
chemical properties of the fiber. Many fibrous substances
may lack one or more essential qualities required of
textile fibers.
Comparison of fiber qualities and characteristics requires
the use of certain basic terms and a technical
vocabulary. Definitions of these terms and of their
meanings as they relate to textile performance and/or
behavior is important for communication and
understanding.
 DETERMINATION OF TEXTILE PROPERTIES AND
PERFORMANCE
• The determination of the properties of specific fibers is
made through one or more of a variety of different fiber-,
yarn, or fabric-testing methods

• Test methods are standardized by organizations such as:

1. American Society for Testing and Materials
2.AmericanAssociation of Textile Chemists and Colorist
3. Government through federal test method standards
Testing of textile materials requires standardized procedures
and controlled testing conditions
Before testing samples are “conditioned for at least 24
hours at
70°F temperature(±2°F)
65% relative humidity (±2%)
 REFERENCES
1. McGraw-Hill Science & Technology Encyclopedia 2005
2. Muhammad Aleem Ahmed, Textile Fiber, Applied Chemistry Research Centre
3. [Sarah S. Knox, Implications of Early Menopause in Women Exposed in Perfluorocarbons, The Endocrine Society 2001
4. Billie J. Collier, Phyllis G. Tortora, Understanding Textiles Sixth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2001
5. California Environmental Protection Agency, Toxic Air Contaminant Identification List Summary for Fine Mineral Fibers.
ARB/SSB/SES, Berkeley, CA. 1997
6. Robyn J. Maxwell, Textiles of Southeast Asia: tradition, trade and transformation, 2003