TEXTILE FIBRES -Properties of Textile Fibres - 2.1.2

TEXTILE FIBRES

Any substance, natural or manufactured, with a high length to width ratio and with suitable
characteristics for being processed into fabric; the smallest component, hair like in nature,
that can be separated from a fabric .

Properties of Textile Fibres:

Primary properties of textile fibres:

1. High length to width ratio tenacity
2. Flexibility
3. Spinning quality (Cohesiveness)
4. Uniformity

1.High length to width ratio tenacity: Fibrous materials must possess adequate staple(fibre length) and the length must be considerably greater than the diameter. The length is a very important fibre property.Natural fibres, except for silk, are mostly some millimeters up to several centimeters long.. Synthetic fibres are actually filaments (indefinite length) or are chopped into (shorter). staple fibres, which can, in their turn, be spun.

2.Fexibility:  Flexibility is the property of bending without breaking that is the third necessary
characteristic of textile fibre. In order to form yarns or fabrics that can be creased, that have
the quality of drapability and the ability to move with the body and that permit general
freedom of movement, the fibres must be bendable, pliable or flexible. The degree of
flexibility determines the ease with which fibres, yarns and fabrics will bend and is
important in fabric durability and general performance. 

3.Spinning quality (Cohesiveness):  This characteristic refers to the ability of the fibre to stick together in yarn manufacturing processes. Cohesiveness indicates that fibres tend to hold together during yarn manufacturing as a result of the longitudinal contour of the fibre or the cross-section shape that enables the fibre to fit together and entangle sufficiently to adhere to one another.

4.Uniformity:  To minimize the irregularity in the final yarn, it is important that the fibres be somewhat similar in length and width i.e. be uniform. The inherent variability in the natural fibre can be averaged out by blending natural fibres from many different batches in order to produce yarn that are uniform.