Animal fibers

Description

Any fiber obtained from animal sources. Examples are wool, alpaca, mohair, angora, and silk. In general, animal fibers do not burn as readily as vegetable fibers. Instead, animal fibers tend to char and emit mildly nitrogenous odors characteristic of burnt hair. Except for silk, all animal fibers can be microscopically characterized by their tiny surface scales and center shaft (cortex).

Synonyms and Related Terms

animal fibres (Br.); fibras animales (Esp.); fibre animale (Fr.); dierlijke vezels (Ned);

Other Properties

Do not burn readily. Dissolve in strong alkalis.

Have tiny surface scales and center shaft.

Additional Information

M.Goodway "Fiber Identification in Practice" JAIC 26:27-44, 1987. LINK

Comparisons

Properties of Natural Fibers

Authority

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• S.R.Trotman, E.R. Trotman, S.R.Trotman, E.R. Trotman, Textile Analysis, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1932