INTRODUCTION TO FIBERS

By – Mugdha Bhave & Misbah Ansari

▪ Modal was developed in Japan in 1951.
▪ The company Lenzing Fibers in Austria began selling modal fibers
in the year 1964. After some years, in 1977, the company invented
a process in which they could bleach wood pulp in an
environmentally friendly way.
▪ Now, Lenzing Modal ® is made of wood pulp coming from beech
trees which are harvested in sustainable forests, called the PEFC
(Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes)
▪ Modal fabric is semi-synthetic fabric made
from beech tree pulp that is used primarily for
clothing , such as underwear and pajamas, and
household items like bedsheets and towels.
▪ A modal is a form of rayon, another plant based
textile , though it is slightly more durable and
flexible than the standard version.
▪ Modal is often blended with other fabrics like
cotton and spendex for added strength.
▪ Modal is considered a luxorius textile thanks to
both its soft feel and high cost.
▪ The process of making modal fabric is highly similar to
the process used to make viscose rayon.
▪ The modal fabric production process begins with the
harvesting of trees to be rendered into cellulose. These
trees are broken down into chips that are approximately
the size of postage stamps, and they are transferred to the
manufacturing floor. These chips are then purified to
extract their cellulose content, and the leftover tree
products are discarded.
▪ Next, this extracted cellulose is formed into sheets, and
these sheets are then immersed or "steeped" in vats of
sodium hydroxide, which is also called caustic soda. It's
important to note that far lesser concentrations of sodium
hydroxide are used to create modal rayon than are used
to create viscose rayon, which results in the production
of less toxic waste.
▪ Modal is very breathable.
▪ It has high moisture wicking capacity.
▪ It has low heat retention capabilities.
▪ Prone to pillng and bubbling is low.
▪ Recommended washing temperature is cold.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Stretchy. Modal's flexibility makes it ideal for ▪ More people have allergic reactions to modal
items like t-shirts and athletic wear. fabric than other textiles
• Soft. Modal l has an incredible soft touch, and is ▪ The durability of modal fabric is not as good as
often used for bed sheets,pajamas and other materials.
undergarments.
▪ Non sustainable.
• It is breathable
▪ It does not retain a lot of body heat.
• It is Water absorbent
▪ Modal fabric tends to turn yellow when exposed
• It is Durable. to too much heat.
• Drapes well. ▪ There may be issues with mislabeling with this
material.
• It is Eco-friendly.
• Doesn't pill.
▪ It is used to make comfortwear such as lounge pants , tees , pajamas , underwear
and lingerie.
▪ Also used to make household items like towels , napkins and bedsheets.
By Misbah & Mugdha.