Classification of textile fibres
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Classification by Origin
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Today, we're going to learn how textile fibres are classified. Can anyone tell me the two main categories?
Natural and manufactured fibres!
Correct! Natural fibres come from plants and animals, while manufactured fibres are created through chemical means. Why do you think this classification is important?
It helps us understand their properties and uses!
Exactly! Understanding these classifications helps in selecting the right fabric for specific needs. Can anyone give an example of natural fibres?
Cotton and wool!
Good examples! Remember that natural fibres can be further divided into two main types, cellulosic and protein. Let’s now review what each term means.
Cellulosic and Protein Fibres
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Now, let's dive deeper into cellulosic and protein fibres. Can anyone give me examples of cellulosic fibres?
Cotton and flax!
Perfect! Cellulosic fibres are derived from plants, which are generally strong and absorbent. How about protein fibres?
Wool and silk!
Correct! Protein fibres come from animals and are known for their warmth and elasticity. Remember the acronym CAP for Cellulosic = Cotton, Agave, Pineapple helps in remembering these examples.
That's a good way to remember!
Manufactured Fibres
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Next, let's learn about manufactured fibres. What can you tell me about rayon?
It was the first manufactured fibre!
Yes! Rayon is made from wood pulp and is often referred to as artificial silk. As we explore more manufactured fibres, remember the mnemonic RAMP for Rayon, Acetate, Nylon, Polyester. What is the benefit of manufactured fibres?
They can be tailored for specific uses and properties!
Correct! These fibres can be designed for strength, elasticity, or even water resistance.
Differences between Staple and Filament Fibres
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Now that we understand different categories, let's talk about staple vs. filament fibres. Can someone explain the difference?
Staple fibres are short, while filament fibres are long!
Exactly! Staple fibres like cotton are cut short, whereas filament fibres like silk and polyester run continuously. Why do you think this difference matters?
It affects the texture and strength of the fabric!
Spot on! Fabrics made from staple fibres are generally softer, while those from filament fibres can be smoother and stronger.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
Textile fibres can be classified into natural and manufactured fibres, further segmented by their chemical types and forms. Natural fibres include cellulosic and protein fibres, while manufactured fibres include regenerated and synthetic types. This classification aids in understanding fibre properties and suitable uses in textiles.
Detailed
Classification of Textile Fibres
This section elaborates on the classification of textile fibres, which is crucial for understanding fabric properties and applications. Fibres can be broadly categorized based on various criteria:
1. Origin: Fibres are classified as:
- Natural: Fibres obtained from nature.
- Manufactured: Fibres created through chemical processes.
2. Chemical Type: Fibres can be further divided into:
- Cellulosic Fibres (derived from plants): Examples include cotton, jute, and linen.
- Protein Fibres (derived from animals): Examples include wool and silk.
- Synthetic Fibres: Developed entirely from chemical reactions, such as polyester and nylon.
3. Physical Form:
- Staple Fibres: Short-length fibres like cotton and wool.
- Filament Fibres: Long-length fibres like silk and polyester.
Natural Fibres:
These fibres are sourced from nature and include:
- Cellulosic Fibres:
- Seed Hair: Cotton, Kapok.
- Bast: Flax (Linen), Hemp, Jute.
- Leaf: Pineapple, Agave (Sisal).
- Nut Husk: Coir (Coconut).
- Protein Fibres:
- Animal Hair: Wool, specialty hair (like goat and camel), fur.
- Animal Secretion: Silk.
- Mineral Fibres: Asbestos.
- Natural Rubber.
Manufactured Fibres:
The earliest manufactured fibre, rayon, emerged in 1895, with many others following. These can be:
- Regenerated Cellulosic Fibres: Rayon types (cuprammonium, viscose).
- Modified Cellulosic Fibres: Acetate (triacetate, secondary acetate).
- Synthetic Fibres: Nylon, polyester (terephthalate), acrylic, and more.
Understanding these classifications allows consumers and manufacturers to make informed decisions concerning textile production and use.
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Overview of Textile Fibres
Chapter 1 of 4
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Chapter Content
Textile fibres can be classified on the basis of their origin (natural or man-made or manufactured), general chemical type (cellulosic, protein or synthetic), generic types (animal hair or animal secretion) and common trade name (polyester, as terene or dacron). Further, fibres can be staple, i.e., short length like cotton, or filament, i.e., long length like silk, polyester, etc.
Detailed Explanation
Textile fibres are the basic components used to make fabrics. They can be classified in a few key ways: by origin, which includes natural fibres obtained directly from plants or animals, and man-made fibres that are manufactured through chemical processes. Another classification is based on their chemical makeup, such as cellulosic fibres that come from plants (like cotton) and protein fibres that come from animals (like wool). Fibres can also be categorized by their length—staple fibres are short (like cotton), while filament fibres are long (like silk). Understanding these classifications helps us know how different fibres behave and what they are best suited for.
Examples & Analogies
Think of textile fibres like different ingredients in cooking. Just as a chef selects ingredients based on the type of dish they want to create—like fresh tomatoes for a sauce versus dried tomatoes for a salad—we choose fibres based on the type, characteristics, and use of fabrics we want to create.
Natural Fibres
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Chapter Content
Natural fibres are those which are available to us in nature. There are four types of natural fibres:
(a) Cellulosic fibres—
1. Seed hair-cotton, kapok
2. Bast fibres-flax(linen), hemp, jute
3. Leaf fibres-pineapple, agave(sisal)
4. Nut husk fibres-coir(coconut)
(b) Protein fibres
1. Animal hair–wool, specially hair (goat, camel), fur
2. Animal secretion–silk
(c) Mineral fibre: Asbestos
(d) Natural rubber
Detailed Explanation
Natural fibres are derived from nature and classified into several groups based on their source. Cellulosic fibres, such as cotton, come from plants. Cotton is the most recognized example, sourced from seed hairs. Bast fibres like linen and jute stem from the inner bark of plants. Leaf fibres such as sisal come from the leaves of certain plants. On the other hand, protein fibres come from animals, like wool from sheep and silk from silkworms. Each fibre has unique properties that influence the type of fabric made.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a garden where every plant gives a different type of fruit. Just like you wouldn't use a lemon for a banana smoothie, each natural fibre provides specific qualities that make it suitable for certain fabrics. For example, cotton is soft and breathable, perfect for shirts, while wool is warm and elastic, ideal for winter coats.
Manufactured Fibres
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Chapter Content
Manufactured Fibres (also called man-made fibres)
Most of you must have seen a cotton flower with fibres sticking to the seeds, or sheep with long overgrown hair. You can also imagine how these may be used for yarn and fabric production. However, you may find it difficult to understand how the manufactured or synthetic fibres came to exist.
The first manufactured fibre–Rayon–was commercially produced in AD 1895, while most others are products of the 20th century.
The concept of creating fibres perhaps originated from human desire to produce a fibre like silk. Possibly, the thought process could have been like this: the silk worm, which basically feeds on mulberry leaves, digests them and spews a liquid through its spinnerettes (two holes), which on solidifying becomes the silk filament (cocoon). Thus if a cellulose substance is digested it should be possible to produce something like silk.
Detailed Explanation
Manufactured fibres, or man-made fibres, are created through industrial processes. Rayon, the first manufactured fibre, was produced in 1895. The process generally involves turning raw materials, such as wood pulp or synthetic chemicals, into fibres that mimic natural ones, like silk. For instance, the idea was to create a fibre similar to silk by modifying cellulose, which is found in plant material. This allowed manufacturers to provide alternatives to natural fibres, making textiles more versatile and abundant.
Examples & Analogies
Consider how we can replicate the taste of chocolate in something like a cake without using actual chocolate. Just as manufacturers create flavours that mimic the real thing, they develop fibres that imitate natural ones, giving us options like rayon that feels similar to silk but is made through chemical processes.
Types of Manufactured Fibres
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Chapter Content
(a) Regenerated cellulosic fibres: Rayon–cuprammonium, viscose, high-wet-modulus
(b) Modified cellulosic: Acetate–secondary acetate, triacetate
(c) Protein fibres: Azlon
(d) Non-cellulosic(synthetic) fibres
(i) nylon
(ii) polyester – terelene, terrene
(iii) acrylic – Orlon, cashmilon
(iv) modacrylic
(v) spandex
(vi) rubber
(e) Mineral fibres
(i) Glass – fibreglass
(ii) Metallic – lurex
Detailed Explanation
Manufactured fibres can be categorized into several types. Regenerated cellulosic fibres, such as rayon, are made from natural sources but processed to alter their properties. Modified cellulosic fibres like acetate retain some plant-based characteristics while modifying them for specific uses. Non-cellulosic fibres such as nylon and polyester are entirely synthetic, created purely from chemicals. Each of these fibres possesses unique characteristics that can enhance the fabric's performance, comfort, and durability.
Examples & Analogies
Think of manufactured fibres like customizing a recipe. Just as a baker might modify a cake recipe by adding flavors, textures, or colors, manufacturers alter the basic ingredients of natural fibres to achieve specific features in fabrics, resulting in a wide array of textiles like breathable sportswear made from polyester or stretchy leggings from spandex.
Key Concepts
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Textile Fibres: Materials that are spun or woven into fabrics.
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Classification: Fibres can be classified by origin, chemical type, and physical form.
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Natural vs. Manufactured: Understanding the difference is crucial for fabric selection.
Examples & Applications
Cotton is a natural cellulose fibre used widely in clothing.
Rayon is a manufactured fibre created from wood pulp resembling silk.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Cotton is soft, and wool keeps you warm; both are from nature, that's their charm.
Stories
Once upon a time, a cotton plant and a sheep decided to compete in comfort. The cotton showed off its softness, while the sheep bundled up in warmth. In the end, both were loved for their unique gifts as natural fibres!
Memory Tools
Remember 'C.A.P' for Natural Cellulosic Fibres: Cotton, Agave, Pineapple.
Acronyms
Use 'RAMP' to recall Manufactured Fibres
Rayon
Acetate
Nylon
Polyester.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Natural Fibres
Fibres sourced from nature, including plant and animal origins.
- Manufactured Fibres
Fibres created through chemical processes, often derived from synthetic materials.
- Cellulosic Fibres
Fibres that originate from plants, such as cotton and linen.
- Protein Fibres
Fibres that come from animals, including wool and silk.
- Staple Fibres
Short-length fibres like cotton, often spun into yarn.
- Filament Fibres
Long-length fibres like silk, which can be made into continuous lengths.
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