What is Textile fiber and classification?

Fiber and Textile Fiber:

It is defined as one of the delicate, hair portions of the tissues of a plant or animal or other substances that are very small in diameter in relation to there length. A fiber is a material which is several hundred times as long as its thick.

In textile arena: Textile fiber is the raw materials to produce various types of textile finished products. A fiber that can be spun into yarn or processed into textile such as Woven fabric, Knit fabric, lace, felt, non-woven fabric etc by means of an appropriate interlacing method is called textile faber.

The essential requirements for fibers to be spun into yarn include a length of at least 5 millimeters, flexibility, cohesiveness, and sufficient strength. Other important properties include elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, and luster. Banana fiber is one kind of fiber but it is not a textile fiber. Because it can’t fill up the above properties. So we can say that all fiber are not textile fiber. 

Types of Textile Fiber:

There are various types of fiber in the market but all have not same characteristics. The characteristics of fiber differs depending on the source from where it is produce. Generally two types of fiber.

            (1)  Natural fiber.

            (2)  Manmade fiber.  

(1) Natural Fiber:

Natural fibers include those produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. They are biodegradable over time. They can be classified according to their origin.

A class name for various genera of fibers (including filaments) of: 

a. Animal

       - Wool and Hair fibe

       - Silk and other filaments

b. Mineral 

       -Asbestos fiber

c. Vegetable origin

       -Bast fiber (Jute, Flux, Ramie)

       -Leaf fiber (Sisal, Manila)

       -Seed and Fruits fiber (cotton, coir)

(2) Man Made Fiber:

It is also known as Manufactured fiber. Synthetic or man-made fibers generally come from synthetic materials such as petrochemicals. But some types of synthetic fibers are manufactured from natural cellulose; including rayon, modal, and the more recently developed Lyocell. A class name for various genera of fibers produced from fiber-forming substances which may be:

a. Polymers synthesized from chemical compounds (Acrylic fiber, Nylon fiber, Polyester fiber, Polyethylene fiber, Polyurethane fiber, and Polyvinyl fibers)

b. Modified or transformed natural polymers (Alginic and cellulose-based fibers such as Acetate fiber and Rayon fiber)

c.  Minerals (Glasses). The term manufactured usually refers to all chemically produced fibers to distinguish them from the truly natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, flax, etc.