Fibres

A fiber is a strand of a material that resembles hair and is incredibly long compared to its breadth. A fiber's length is at least 100 times its width. Because of their flexibility, fibers can be spun into yarn and used to create textiles. The smallest visible component of any textile product is called a fiber. Manufacturers use fibres in clothing and in such home furnishing as carpets, curtains and upholstery. They also use fibres in many industrial products, including parachutes, fire hoses, insulation and space suits. In medicine, fibres are used to make artificial arteries and tendons. Polycotton is the fabric made from a mixture of cotton and polyester and Polywool is the fabric made from a mixture of polyester and wool fibers.

Types of Fibers:

I. Natural Fibers

These are derived from plants or animals, such as cotton, jute, wool, and silk.

1. Cotton

Cotton is a soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a cotton plant. It is used to make textile fibre and thread for sewing. It is the widely produced natural fiber on the planet. Cotton is popularly called as universal fibre.

2. Jute

Jute is a long, soft, shiny fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is one of the cheapest natural fibres and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variey of uses.

3. Wool

Wool is a fibre that comes from the fleece of sheep and some other animals. It is made into durable fabrics used in manufacturing blankets, clothing, rugs and other items. 

4. Silk

Silk is a strong, shiny fibre that is used to make cloth. Silk has a natural beauty that few other fibres can equal and is often called the queen of fibres. Silk fibre is made from the cocoons of caterpillars called silkworms.

II. Synthetic Fibers

These are man-made fibers, often produced from petrochemicals, like nylon, rayon, polyester, terylene and acrylic.

1. Nylon

Nylon is a fibre entirely made from chemical processes. It is much stronger than the natural fibre like silk. Nylon is resistant to grease and dirt. Its applications includes the manufacture of parachutes, ropes, stockings etc. Nylon is the first artificial fibre made by humans.

2. Rayon

Rayon is also called as artificial silk. Man made materials in the textile world prior to 1935 were really chemically treated natural products like Rayon. Rayon is a synthetic fibre made from wood pulp or cotton linens. It is widely used for knit and woven textiles for clothing, upholstery, draperies and decorating fabrics.

3. Polyester

Polyesters are manufactured in three basic forms - fibres, films and plastics. Polyester fibres are used to make easy to care for fabrics, which resist fading, wrinkling and mildew. Polyester fibres are also used as the tough cord fabric in tyres. Thin polyester films provide airtight seals on containers and packages.

4. Terylene

Terylene is a synthetic polyester fiber manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is widely used in the textile industry for clothing and other applications.

5. Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber made from polyacrylonitrile. It is widely used in clothing, home furnishings and other applications. The example of acrylic fiber is Orlon.

III. Optical Fibers

These are thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit light, used for high-speed communication.