IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF FIBRE

​Textiles also known as Fibres are classified into two. These are: Natural fibres : These are from natural source either plant,minerals and animals
Man-made fibres: These can also be referred to as synthetic or regenerated fibre, and can be either cellulose based or non-cellulose based.

IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF FABRICS

                                FIBRES

  Natural fibres                                              Man-made fibres

Animal fibre      Vegetable fibre                        Cellulose  fibre      Non-cellulose fibre

         Wool            Cotton                                               Rayon            Nylon

          Silk              Linen                                              Acetate        Polyesters

COTTON AND ITS PROPERTIES

Cotton is a vegetable fibre. It is made from cotton balls (bolls) of the cotton plant. Cotton grows in Northern parts of Nigeria, China, India, Asia, Egypt and America.

Properties or characteristics of cotton

1. It absorbs moisture quickly.

2. It is strong and durable.

3. It washes easily.

4. It is cool and comfortable to wear.

5. It can withstand friction or rubbing.

6. It can withstand hot water.

7. It does not fray easily

8. Cotton burns easily in flame.

PROPERTIES OF LINEN

Linen: Linen is vegetable fibre. It is obtained from the stem or flax plant. The flax plant grows fast in France, Russia, and Belgium.

Properties or characteristics of Linen

1. It is stronger than cotton.

2. It is absorbent and cool to wear.

3. It washes easily and dries slowly.

4. It is a good conductor of heat.

5. It crease badly

6. It fray badly and easily

MAN MADE FIBRES

 Man-made fibres are divided into two. These are 

1. Cellulose based fibres: This is made from cellulose which is obtained from cotton linters or wood pulp .e.g. viscose rayon and acetates.

2. Non-cellulose man-made fibres: Made entirely from mineral substances such as coal and petroleum. e.g. Nylon, polyester, acrylics.

Viscose rayon: Viscose rayon is made by treating wood pulp or cotton linters with certain chemicals.

: Nylon is the family name for all synthetic polyamides.

Properties or characteristics of nylon

1. It resists abrasion well.

2. It does not absorb much water.

3. It has a smooth surface.

4. It is light in weight.

5. It is durable

​NYLON

Acetate: This also is regenerated cellulose fibre. It is made from wood pulp or cotton linters.

Properties or characteristics of Acetate

1. It has silk –like rich soft attractive appearance

2. It is soft and drapes well.

3. It is moderately elastic.

4. It covers well from creasing.

5. It dries quickly.

6. It can be dyed in rich colours.

​ACETATE

MAN MADE FIBRE