Natural fiber

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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);

For easy printing and to download

Properties of Natural Fibers

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

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