Properties of Textile Fibres

Exam - 2021
Syllabus:
Specific features of textile fibres, chemical constitutions of some important fibres,
physical properties, chemical properties moisture relations and chemical relations.
Previous year Questions:
Q1. Discuss with figure the morphological structure of cotton fibre. [16] 2.75
Q2. Write the chemical composition of jute, silk and wool. [20 according to 19] 6
Q3. Write down the chemical constituents of cotton fibres. [20 according to 19, 18]
1.75
Q4. Write down the chemical composition of jute fibre. [19] 2
Q5. Write down the chemical composition of rayon fibre. [18] 2.75
Q6. Discuss in detail the specific features of textile fibres. [20 according to 19, 18,
16] 4
Q7. Mention the main properties of textile fibres. [19, 17] 2.75
Q8. Discuss the physical and chemical properties of textile fibres. [20] 6
Q9. How can you explain the crystalline and amorphous region of textile fibres?
Mention their specific functions. [16] 3.75
Q10. Write a note on "Moisture relations and Chemical relations". [20 according to
19] 3

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Textile fibres are units of matter characterized by flexibility, fineness and a high
ratio of length to thickness. Technically, the materials which consist fibrous
structure and length is thousand times higher than its width and which can be spun
into yarns suitable for weaving or knitting is classified as textile fibres. In addition
to associated with tensile strength is also necessary.
Q1. Discuss with figure the morphological structure of cotton fibre. [16] 2.75
Morphological structure of cotton consists of four parts. These are:
• Cuticle
• Primary Wall
• Secondary Wall
• Lumen

Cuticle: The cuticle of the cotton fibre is a very thin layer tightly attached to the
outside of primary wall. More accurately, cotton fibre is enclosed in cuticle which
protects the fibre from any mechanical and chemical damages. The cuticle consists
of cotton wax, mixture of fats, waxes and oils.

Primary Wall: The primary wall is built up from cellulose. It also contains
pectineus substances. The cellulose appears to concentrate from the growth period
and increases proportionally later stage of cell elongation. The diameter of the fibre
is in the order of 15-20 microns, whereas the primary wall is very thin and about
0.1-0.2 micron thick.

Fig: Morphological structure of cotton fiber

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Secondary Wall:
It is composed mainly of cellulose and contributes most of the weight to the fibre,
in general, within the primary wall, the bulk of the fibre consists of secondary wall.
Like primary wall, it consists of concentric layers of fibrils in spiral formation
Lumen: At the center of the growing fibre, there is a lumen, which remains as
cylindrical void at maturity. The area is about 30-35% of the total area of cross
section. The lumen content evaporates after the boll splits. After drying and
collapsing of the fibre, the area of lumen is reduced to about 5% of the total area.
Q2. Write the chemical composition of jute, silk and wool. [20*19] 6
Or, Q3. Write down the chemical constituents of cotton fibres. [20*19, 18] 1.75
Or, Q4. Write down the chemical composition of jute fibre. [19] 2
Or, Q5. Write down the chemical composition of rayon fibre. [18] 2.75
Chemical composition of jute:
Elements Composition
Cellulose 60-70%
Hemicellulose 12%
Pectin 0.2%
Lignin 11.8%
Water soluble 1.1%
Wax 0.5%
Water 10%

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Chemical composition of silk:
Elements Composition
Fibroin 70-75%
Sericin 20-25%
Minerals 1-2%
Wax 1-3%
Moisture 8-12%
Free oil 0.5-0.7%

Chemical composition of wool:

Elements Composition
Keratin 33%
Dirt 26%
Suint 28%
Fat 12%
Mineral water 1%
Chemical composition of rayon:
Cellulose - 90-95%
Hemicellulose - <5%
Lignin - Trace amounts
Carbon disulfide - Used in small quantities during production
Sodium hydroxide - Used in small quantities during production

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Q6. Discuss in detail the specific features of textile fibres. [20*19, 18, 16] 4
Specific features of textile fibres:
Textile fibres are units of matter characterized by flexibility, fineness and a high
ratio of length to thickness. Technically, the materials which consist fibrous
structure and length is thousand times higher than its width and which can be spun
into yarns suitable for weaving or knitting is classified as textile fibres. In addition
to associated with tensile strength is also necessary. Fibre of good strength will not
give good service in actual wear. So, in preliminary, length and strength features
are two of the main features of fibre.
Without these, textile fibre must have some other fundamental properties, which
are disclosed below:
1. Length & width ratio: Fibre length must be 1000 times higher than the
width ratio.
2. Flexibility/stiffness: Should have fine flexibility.
3. Fineness: In textile, fineness is expressed in terms of linear density. The
fineness of a fibre is a relative measure of its thickness on diameter.
Fineness of fibre provide more strength and resistance to slippage during
yarn production.
4. Strength: Strong enough to be production of yarn and spinning. This
indicates higher tensile strength.
5. Cell length: At least 1 cm.
6. Structure: The fibre should be tiny hair like.
7. Elasticity: Must have sufficient elasticity and spinning power. Elastic up to
breaking extension between 5 and 50%.
8. Softness/Suppleness/Crimp: Have good compress property which able to
change into small folds; important for the production of yarn and spinning.
Crimp should be permanent and return after extension.
9. The diameter: Should not be overlooked.
10. Density: Varies with fibre source.
11. Affinity for water vapor: Have affinity and provide clammy sensation.
12. Ability to wet liquid water: Have bleaching, dyeing and cleaning ability.
13. Luster: Luster refers to the degree of light that is reflected from the surface
of a fibre. Silk has high luster and cotton has low luster.

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 14. Crystallinity of textile fibre: It refers to the degree of structural order in a
fiber molecule. Increasing crystallinity means greater strength, decreasing
crystallinity means increasing elongation, high water intake, and sites
available for chemical reaction.
15. Forces: Have two kinds of forces.
i. Primary forces – Interatomic chemical bonds.
ii. Secondary force – Physical bonds e.g., intermolecular attraction,
hydrogen bonds, Van-der Waal’s force etc.
Q7. Mention the main properties of textile fibres. [19, 17] 2.75
Or, Q8. Discuss the physical and chemical properties of textile fibres. [20] 6
Physical properties of textile fibre: Generally, specific features of textile fibre are
mostly defined the physical properties of fibre. Some terms are revised based on
their measurement process and definition such as:
1. Length & width ratio: Fibre length must be 1000 times higher than the
width ratio.
2. Strength: Textile fibre must have a significant strength.
3. Flexibility: Textile fibre should be flexible so that it could be easily
wrapped.
4. Elasticity: Fibre must be able to completely recover in its original form.
5. Cohesiveness: Cohesiveness is a property by virtue of which the fibers are
hold onto one another.
6. Uniformity: to make good quality yarn, the films must be similar in length
& width.
7. Crimp: This feature offers softness, thermal insulation in fibre.
8. Density: It is related to its inherent chemical structure. Low density fibrous
materials will not drape well. But too high-density materials become heavy
& dull.
9. Moisture relation: Ability of absorb and desorb moisture is an important
feature of the textile fibre.
10. Luster: Luster of a fibre can be improved by chemical treatment. Luster
refers to the degree of light that is reflected from the surface of a fibre.

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Chemical properties of textile fibre:
Basically, chemical properties cine is of textile fibres discussed under two points
on topics:
1. Hygroscopicity: It is the ability of substance to attract water molecule from
environment by adsorption absorption i.e.,
a. Action with water: According to the interaction of fibre with water,
textile fibres are hygroscopic type. Because they are less interacting
with water.
b. Absorbency: It means the ability of the fibre to retain the water
depends on the polarity of the polymers.
2. Chemical reactivity: It means how fibre react to different chemicals.
a. React with acid: Interact and damages naturel cellulosic, but does not
harm protein fibres.
b. React with bases: Do not harm cellulosic (cotton) will damage protein
fibres.
c. React with oxidizing agent: Some fibres (e.g., protein fibre) damages
by this (e.g. bleach). Safe for polyester, nylon and cotton
(moderately).
d. Solvents: Organic solvents are safe for daily cleaning of fibres. But,
acetone damages acetate and triacetate.
Q9. How can you explain the crystalline and amorphous region of textile
fibres? Mention their specific functions. [16] 3.75
In a textile fibre there are 2 regions:
1. Crystalline region
2. Amorphous region.
When the macromolecular chains are arranged in an ordered pattern, it is called
crystalline region. When the chains are not arranged in ordered, it is called
amorphous region of the fibre. Actually, there is no sharp dividing line between
those two regions.

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Tensile strength is due to the crystalline regions & flexibility depends on the
amorphous region.
Functions of amorphous fibre:
1. Permits easier entry of H2O & dye molecules
2. Less inter molecular force of attraction due to random orientation.
3. Molecules are more readily displaced, when the fibre is subjected to the
stress & strain.
Function of crystalline fibre:
1. Intermolecular forces of attraction will be more effective due to have H
bond, chemical linkage, Vander Waals force.
2. Restricts the entry of H2O & dye molecules
3. They are stronger & more durable.
Q10. Write a note on "Moisture relations and Chemical relations". [20
according to 19] 3
Moisture relation:
The amount of moisture is not constant, it keeps changing. This changes the
amount of moisture in the material. Due this changes the physical properties of the
textile fiber like rigidity, tensile strength, elastic recovery, elastic resistance,
dimensions etc.

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Let us consider cotton to understand this phenomenon properly, cotton absorbs
moisture rapidly when exposed to high dampness in the atmosphere and as a result
of which weight and strength of the material increases and other properties will be
changed. But in the case of man-made fibers like acetate and viscose, the strength
reduces. And synthetic fibers like Terylene and nylon are not affected much as
they are not fully hygroscopic in nature.
In practical point of view all textile fibers show increase in spinning capability and
pliability and greater electrical influence with increase in amount of moisture in the
fiber.
Chemical relations:
Textile fibers can have a variety of chemical relationships, both within individual
fibers and between different types of fibers. Here are some of the most common
chemical relationships of textile fibers:
1. Polymerization - Many textile fibers, such as polyester and nylon, are made
up of long chains of repeating units called polymers. These polymers are
created through a chemical process called polymerization, which links
individual monomers together to form a long chain.
2. Cross-linking - Some fibers, such as wool and silk, contain chemical cross-
links between the individual protein chains that make up the fiber. These
cross-links help to give the fiber its strength and resilience.
3. Hydrogen bonding - Hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular attraction
that can occur between different fibers or between different parts of the same
fiber. Hydrogen bonding can contribute to the strength and durability of the
fiber, as well as its ability to absorb moisture.
4. Ionic bonding - Ionic bonding can occur between fibers or between different
parts of the same fiber that have different electrical charges. Ionic bonding
can contribute to the strength and stability of the fiber.
5. Van der Waals forces - Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces
that can occur between different fibers or between different parts of the same
fiber. Van der Waals forces can contribute to the overall structure and
stability of the fiber.

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