Difference between revisions of "Natural fiber"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | A class of fibers that includes all non-synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are generally separated into three groups based on origin: | + | A class of fibers that includes all non-synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are generally separated into three groups based on origin (with some examples): |
1) [[cellulose%20fiber|plant fiber]]: [[cotton|cotton]], [[linen|linen]], [[jute|jute]], [[abaca|abaca]]. | 1) [[cellulose%20fiber|plant fiber]]: [[cotton|cotton]], [[linen|linen]], [[jute|jute]], [[abaca|abaca]]. | ||
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3) [[mineral%20fiber|mineral fiber]]: [[asbestos|asbestos]], [[graphite%20fiber|graphite]], [[quartz%20fiber|quartz]]. | 3) [[mineral%20fiber|mineral fiber]]: [[asbestos|asbestos]], [[graphite%20fiber|graphite]], [[quartz%20fiber|quartz]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Wool and dyed flax, have been found in prehistoric caves indicating their early usage. And many natural fibers are still in wide use because they have many advantages over [[synthetic fiber|Synthetic fibers]], such as lower density, better thermal insulation, and reduced skin irritation. Natural fibers are good water absorbents and can be found in various textures. Cotton fibers made from the cotton plant, for example, produce fabrics that are light in weight, soft in texture, and which can be made in various sizes and colors. | ||
==Properties of Natural Fibers== | ==Properties of Natural Fibers== | ||
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==Resources and Citations== | ==Resources and Citations== | ||
− | + | * Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_fiber Natural fiber] Access Oct. 2024 | |
+ | * G.Cook, ''Handbook of Textile Fibres:I. Natural Fibres'', 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984. | ||
+ | * ''The Dictionary of Paper'', American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980 | ||
* Hoechst Celanese Corporation, ''Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology'' (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990 | * Hoechst Celanese Corporation, ''Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology'' (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990 | ||
+ | * Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, ''The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials'', The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1990 | ||
* Rosalie Rosso King, ''Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation'', Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985 | * Rosalie Rosso King, ''Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation'', Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985 | ||
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | * Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 | ||
* ''Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles'', Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996 | * ''Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles'', Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996 | ||
* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000 | * Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000 | ||
+ | * A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962 | ||
− | + | [[Category:Materials database]][[Category:MWG]][[Category:Comparisons]][[Category: Sheet, Fabric]] | |
− | [[Category:Materials database]] |
Latest revision as of 13:33, 14 October 2024
Description
A class of fibers that includes all non-synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are generally separated into three groups based on origin (with some examples):
1) plant fiber: Cotton, Linen, Jute, Abaca.
2) animal fiber: Wool, Silk, Fur.
3) Mineral fiber: Asbestos, graphite, quartz.
Wool and dyed flax, have been found in prehistoric caves indicating their early usage. And many natural fibers are still in wide use because they have many advantages over Synthetic fibers, such as lower density, better thermal insulation, and reduced skin irritation. Natural fibers are good water absorbents and can be found in various textures. Cotton fibers made from the cotton plant, for example, produce fabrics that are light in weight, soft in texture, and which can be made in various sizes and colors.
Properties of Natural Fibers
Fiber | Type | Source | Microscopic characteristics | Fber length | Fiber width (microns) | Strength/flexibility | Appearance | Other characteristics (conductivity, density, moisture) | Deterioration | Use |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
alpaca | animal | Lama pacos | overlapping scales | 8 cm (undercoat) | elastic and strong | soft, lustrous; usually white but may be black or brown | textiles, linings | |||
camel | animal | Camelus bactrianus | overlapping scales; cross section is circular to oval; medulla is narrow and continuous. | 30 cm (outer hairs); 2.5-15 cm (undercoat) | strong; Tensile strength = 1.78 g/d ; elongation = 39-40% | lightweight, fine, and soft; tan or brown | poor heat conductor; moisture regain=13% | sweaters, scarves, coats, blankets, brushes | ||
cashmere | animal | Capra hireus | overlapping scales (5-7 per 100 mincrons) | 5.0-12.5 cm (outer); 2.5-9.0 cm (undercoat) |
15 | soft and fine | damaged by alkalis | shawls, fabrics, dreses, sweaters | ||
horsehair | animal | family Equidae | overlapping scales | mane: 7.5-20 cm; tail: 20-90 cm | mane: 50-150; tail 75-280 |
stiff and elastic; cannot be spun | upholstery, blankets, stuffing | |||
llama | animal | Lama glama | overlapping scales; medulla is narrow and often pigmented. Cross section is circular to ovoid | 30 cm (undercoat) | smooth, long, fine texture | coats, dresses | ||||
mohair | animal | Capra angorensis | overlapping scales (about 5 per 100 microns); circular cross scetion; medulla is normally invisible | 250-500 mm | resilient, twice as strong as wool; elongation = 30% | soft, white, silky | resists water; moisture regain=13% | resistant to soiling; susceptible to moths | textiles, upholstery, blankets, draperies, carpets, | |
vicuña | animal | Vicugna vicugna | overlapping scales | 5 cm | soft, lightweight, finer than alpaca or camel | |||||
wool | animal | Caprinae family | overlapping scales | 38-125 mm (fine), 65-150 mm (med.), 125-375 mm (long) | 17 ( fine), 24- 34 (medium); 40 (long) |
low tensile strength; good elasticity; elongation = 25-35% | poor heat conductivity; density=1.32-1.34; absorbs water and dries slowly; moisture regain=15-18% | fibers may shrink/felt with high temperatures and friction; susceptible to moths | textiles, blankets, carpets | |
hemp | bast | Cannabis sativa | 1-2 m | 9-40 | durable and strong but weaker than flax | resistant to wear under water | Damaged by acids and bleaches; resistant to water and alkalis | cordage, ropes, sails | ||
jute | bast | Corchorus capsularis | polygonal cross section (5 or 6 sides); may have discontinuous, fine striations and bundled fibers | 1.5-3 m | 7-18 | weaker than hemp or flax; elongation, = 1.7%(dry) | density=1.5; weak when wet; moisture regain=13.75% | cordage, coarse textiles, mats, gunny sacks, carpets | ||
kenaf | bast | Hibiscus cannabinus | polygonal cross section | |||||||
linen | bast | Linum usitatissimum | bamboo-like joints | 6-65 mm | 8-32 | stronger than cotton; elongation = 1.8% (dry), 2.2% (wet) | pale yellow | absorbs water but dries quickly; moisture regain=12% | damaged by bleach; not susceptible to biological growth; resistant to alkalis | textiles, lace, thread |
ramie | bast | Bochmeria nivea | numerous striations | 15-20 cm | 12-82 | stronger than flax or hemp | lustrous, translucent,stiff, wrinkles easily | moisture regain=12% | Resistant to mildew and insects | textiles (Chinese linen, Canton linen, grass cloth, grass linen) |
abaca | leaf | Musa textilis | 1-5 m | hard and strong | absorbs moisture readily | cordage | ||||
istle | leaf | Agave species | cordage, coarse textiles, mats, | |||||||
pina | leaf | Ananas comosus | oval cross section | 10-20 cm | strong and flexible | translucent and thin with silky luster | textiles, mats, bags | |||
sisal | leaf | Agave sisalana | horseshoe shaped cross section | 60-120 cm | weaker and less flexible than hemp | smooth and straight | disintegrates in salt water | ropes, twine, thread | ||
silk | moths | many species, such as Bombyx mori | glass rod; before degumming silk has irregular masses of sericin holding two filaments together | 250-750 m | excellent tensile strength; good elasticity; elongation = 20-25% (dry), 30% (wet) | very lustrous when degummed | poor heat conductor; moisture regain=11% | strong soaps cause yellowing; degraded by sunlight; acids cause yellowing; susceptible to carpet beetles | clothing; decorative fabrics | |
coir | seed hair | Cocos nucifera | 12-20 cm | stiff and elastic (like horsehair) | coarse brown fibers | resistant to water | ropes,brushes, mats | |||
cotton | seed hair | Gossypium hirsutum | narrow, twisted ribbon | 1.6-6.0 cm | high tensile strength; poor elasticity; elongation = 5-10% | usually white; turns blue when treated with iodine and sulphuric acid | good heat conductivity; poor electrical conductivity; density=1.54-1.56; absorbs water, dries slowly; moisture regain=7.0-8.0% | may mildew, not attacked by moths; degraded by acids, resistant to alkalis | textiles, cordage | |
kapok | seed hair | Ceiba pentandra | cross section is oval or circular | 20-32 mm | 20 | resilient, lightweight | silky; turns yellow when treated with iodine and sulphuric acid | resists water, buoyant, fries quickly | stuffing (mattresses, pillows, life preservers) |
Synonyms and Related Terms
natural fibers; natural fibre (Br.); fibre naturelle (Fr.);fibra natural (Esp.); natuurlijke vezel (Ned);
For easy printing and to download
Resources and Citations
- Wikipedia: Natural fiber Access Oct. 2024
- G.Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:I. Natural Fibres, 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984.
- The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980
- Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
- Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1990
- Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996
- Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
- A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962