Activity 3.4 - Properties of different fibres

Through various experiments, students learn about the properties of different fibres. Here, students are to find out what makes textiles comfortable to wear in certain situations or how certain textiles are to be treated.

• Experiments investigating properties of textiles made of different fibres (e.g. wool, silk, cotton, rayon...; have students collect different clothes samples):
  • Permeability regarding air (with pressure)
  • Permeability regarding water (jet of water and water drops)
  • Permeability regarding steam
  • Amount of water absorption
  • Insulating properties
  • Behaviour when heated

  For ideas on experiments that can be further adapted by students, see Classroom Material Activity 3.4.

• The experiments described in the Classroom Material section can be used as a starting point; encourage students to improve them, however, to make the procedures more standardized and comparable.
• Students should be guided to think about how their findings relate to the everyday use and care of textiles made of different fibres.
• This activity can also be carried out in groups, in which the groups can be divided according to a) each group performing the same experiments but with different textile samples or b) each group performing different experiments with the same material sample.
• Providing an opportunity for incorporating ICT: use (digital) temperature sensor for heating properties; (show video clip on properties of functional fabrics used for specific situations, e.g. from discovery channel: clip on marathon runner with normal clothes and with special running clothes in weather).