This subunit focuses on different fibres, their structure, their production and their classification.
Fibres
This unit applies more specific knowledge on different fibres such as cotton, silk, wool or nylon. Materials that are discrete elongated pieces or continuous filaments can be classified as fibres. The manufacture of textiles as well as other industrial branches rely on the use of fibres.
Fibres play an important role in the biology of plants and animals as they are structural elements stabilising tissues as building materials (spider nets, silk) or keeping the optimum body temperature (animals) as insulators (hairs). Fibres can be subdivided in natural and synthetic fibres.
Fibres produced by animals, plants, or geological processes are called natural fibres. Natural organic fibres are biodegradable over a specific period of time. Classification is possible, based on the fibres’ origin such as animal fibres (e.g. spider silk, wool or hair (e.g. angora, cashmere, or mohair), vegetable fibres (often cellulose-based, e.g. cotton, flax, jute, ramie, or sisal), wood fibres, as well as mineral fibres (e.g. such of the asbestos group). Despite this variety in natural fibres and their availability, the production of synthetic fibres is often cheaper and yields can be obtained in larger amounts in comparison with natural fibres. Synthetic fibres can be specially designed to the area of application which enables the development of functional textiles and specific technical textiles.
Synthetic fibres can be subdivided in cellulose fibres (as such or by regeneration of natural cellulose), polymer fibres (synthetic chemicals-based fibres, e.g. polyamide, polyester, aromatic polyamides etc.), mineral fibres (such as carbon fibres, asbestos or fibreglass), and microfibers made of diverse materials.