Fiber

Types of Fibers:

• Natural Fibers:
• Vegetable fibers: cotton, hemp, jute, flax, abaca
• Wood fiber: groundwood, lacebark, TMP, kraft, sulfite pulps
• Animal fibers: silkworm silk, wool, cashmere, mohair
• Mineral fibers: asbestos, chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite
• Biological fibers: collagen, actin, microtubules, spider silk
• Artificial Fibers:
• Regenerated fibers: rayon, Lyocell, Modal
• Semi-synthetic fibers: cellulose regenerated fibers
• Synthetic fibers: nylon, dacron, polyester, polyvinyl chloride
• Metallic fibers: copper, gold, silver, nickel, aluminum
• Carbon fiber: based on carbonized polymers like PAN

Semi-synthetic Fibers:

• Made from raw materials with long-chain polymer structure
• Modified and partially degraded by chemical processes
• Cellulose regenerated fibers: rayon, bamboo fiber, seacell
• Examples: diacetate fiber, triacetate fiber
• Rayon, Lyocell, Modal classified under cellulose fibers

Synthetic Fibers:

• Derived from petrochemicals
• Fiber classification: short fibers, long fibers
• Metallic fibers: copper, gold, silver, nickel, aluminum
• Carbon fibers: based on carbonized polymers
• Polymer fibers: nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins

Microfibers:

• Invented in Japan in the 1980s
• Also known as microdenier fibers
• Made from acrylic, nylon, polyester, lyocell, rayon
• Used in textiles and technical fibers
• Diameter measured in micrometers

Properties of Fibers:

• Natural and artificial fibers have distinct properties
• Synthetic fibers can be engineered for specific applications
• Manufacturers choose fibers based on technical requirements
• Additional properties include Arc Resistance, Fire Resistance, UV Light Resistance, Flexibility, Stiffness, Thermal Insulation, Density, Youngs Modulus, Elongation at Break, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Water Absorption, Toughness, Transparency, Volume Resistivity.

Fiber Data Sources