Textile fibers and fabrics

Textile Fibres

The basic unit of all textiles is the fibre, a continuous or discrete unit with a high length-to-width ratio.
Textile fibres can be broadly classified into natural and man-made fibres.
Natural fibres are those that are directly obtained from an animal, plant, or mineral source and can be spun into a yarn or made into a fabric by various mechanical methods. Examples include cotton, wool, and silk.
Man-made fibres are usually manufactured from polymers derived from petroleum products. Examples include polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

Fabric Production

The production of fabric involves two major processes, namely spinning and weaving or knitting.
Spinning is the process by which fibres are drawn out, twisted, and wound onto a bobbin. The result is a yarn which can be used in the next stage of fabric production.
Weaving involves interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles to each other to create a fabric. The vertical yarns are called warp yarns and the horizontal yarns are called weft yarns.
Knitting is another method of fabric production where loops of yarns are interlocking in a line or a round to create a piece of knitted fabric.

Fabric Characteristics

The properties of a fabric can be determined by the fibres it is made from and the method used to manufacture it.
Physical properties of textiles include drapability, elasticity, fineness, durability, and thermal properties.
Chemical properties of textiles refer to how they respond to different chemicals and treatments, including resistance to bleach and other treatments.
Mechanical properties of textiles include tensile strength, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance.
Understanding the properties of different fabrics is key to predicting their performance in various applications.

Fabric Finishes

Fabric finishes are applied after fabrics have been knitted, woven or otherwise constructed to make them more suitable for their end use.
Finishes may include colouring and printing, flame retardant treatments, waterproofing, stain resistance treatments, and anti-static treatments.
Some fabrics undergo biofinishing, a process using enzymes to enhance the fabric’s softness and wicking properties.
The finish selected depends on the fabric’s intended application and the demands of the end user.