Difference between revisions of "Natural fiber"
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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]]. | ||
+ | ==Properties of Natural Fibers== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 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);<br /> 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;<br /> 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-<br /> 34 (medium);<br /> 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 == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
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* 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 | ||
− | |||
* 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 | ||
Revision as of 14:03, 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:
1) plant fiber: Cotton, Linen, Jute, Abaca.
2) animal fiber: Wool, Silk, Fur.
3) Mineral fiber: Asbestos, graphite, quartz.
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);
Comparisons
Resources and Citations
- Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 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