Fiber Science

By Chamal Jayasinghe [B.Sc. Engineering (Textiles)]

 Fibers

• A thin long flexible structure In witch, the

ratio of length to diameter is very high.

• This ratio should be at least 100: 1 to be

considered as a fiber.

• To spin textile yarn successfully this ratio

should be at least 1000: 1
 Examples for length to diameter ratio

Fiber Type Length Diameter Length:Diameter

Cotton 1” 0.0007” 1,400:1

Wool 3” 0.001” 3,000:1

Flax 1” 0.0008” 1,200:1

Other Needful Qualities of Fibers

❑Thinness

❑Flexibility

❑Sufficient Strength

❑Sufficient Length
Fiber Classification
 Staple and Filament Fibers
❑Fibers with infinite length(long) are called
filament fibers

❑Fibers with finite length length(relatively short

length ) is called staple fibers.
Looking into Polymer Arrangements
 Internal Structure of a Natural
Fiber

❑Monomers → Polymers → Micro fibrils →

Fibrils → Plant Cell Walls → Fibers

❑Monomers are single structure composed of

atoms.
From Monomer to Fiber
From Monomer to Fiber
Crystalline & Amorphous Regions
 Crystalline & Amorphous Regions
❑Crystalline – Orderly arrangement of molecular chains
Less internal spaces
Higher strength due to better orientation
Poor water penetration properties
Gives strength to the fiber

❑Amorphous – Random arrangement of molecular

More internal spaces
Good water absorption
Lower strength due to poor orientation of
molecules.
Gives flexibility to fiber
 Degree of Polymerizing (DP)
• The degree of polymerization, or DP, is usually defined as the
number of monomer units in a macromolecule or polymer
molecule.
Degree of Polymerization with
Melting Temperature
DP of Common Fibers

• Nylon 6 > 120

• Nylon 6,6 > 200
• Polyester (PET) > 100
• Polyacrylonitrile > 2000
• Viscose Rayon > 150-350
• Polynosic > 700-1100
• Cotton > 4000-10,000
• Wool > 60,000-100,000
 Chemical and Physical Properties of Fibers

❑ Chemical constituent of polymer(monomer) is mainly

responsible for the chemical properties of textile fibers.

❑ Physical arrangement of polymer chains in fiber structure

and polymer chain length is mainly responsible for
physical properties of textile fibers.
Physical Properties of Fibers
 Tenacity

❑ The strength of textile fibers is

referred to as their tenacity. It is
determined by measuring the
force required to rupture or break
the fiber.

❑ Sufficient tenacity is required to

withstand the mechanical and
chemical processing as well as
make textile products which are
durable.
 Physical Properties of Fibers

Tenacity

➢ Molecules parallel to the longitudinal axis take their fair share

of the load result in high tenacity (breaking load).

➢ Molecules lying approximately at right angles to the

longitudinal axis take little or none of the load hence result in
low breaking load.
Effects of Polymer Length to Tenacity
 Effects of Polymer Length
to Tenacity
➢ Area of attraction that is greater in the long molecules
than in short molecules.

➢ Therefore fibers consist of longer molecules are stronger

than fibers consist of shorter molecules.

➢ Up to a certain point fiber strength will increase along

with increasing molecular chain length.
Fineness
 General Fiber Properties
2.Fineness

• Fiber fineness governs the end use application of fiber.

• Fibers used in clothing fabrics are below 5 decitex and rarely
exceeds 15 decitex. .
• As the average number of fibers in the cross section is high,
fine, staple fibers are more suitable for production of regular
yarns.
• Cloths made from fine fibers or filaments have a softer smother
handle
• Has lower resistance to abrasion in fabrics as fine fibers can be
easily damaged.
• Also being more flexible, they are liable to entangle with foreign
matter and form pilings.
Moisture Absorption
 Moisture Absorption

• The ability of a fiber to absorb moisture is referred in moisture

regain or moisture content.
• The quantity of moisture picked up varies with the relative humidity
and the temperature of the atmosphere-The standard values are
relative humidity of 65% and temperature of 20C.
• Depends on the chemical nature and physical arrangement of fiber.
 Moisture Content

Moisture Content % = Moisture x 100 %

Total Mass
 Moisture Regain

Moisture Regain % = Moisture x 100 %

Dry Mass
 Moisture Absorption

The influence of moisture absorption

of fibers.

• The comfort of the wearer.

• The amount of shrinkage that will
occur during laundering.
• The speed with which the textile
will dry after laundering.
• How does the fabric or fiber
neutralize static electricity
Abrasion Resistance
 Abrasion Resistance

• Fabrics are abraded in use against various materials

• The life of a fabric is dependent on its resistance to
abrasion.
• Nylon has an outstanding resistance to abrasion.
• Abrasion resistance is decided by it’s fiber
composition yarn and fabric construction.
Crease Recovery
 Crease Recovery
• To retain a good appearance of a fabric , they must have good
crease recovery from unwanted creases occur in fabric usage
and laundering.

• When a fiber is bent, two things can happen

1.The cross links may break and join in new positions. When
the load is removed, recovery from the crease is restricted
by the new positioning of the cross links and textile will
show poor crease recovery.

2.The cross links may be stretched without breaking.

When the load is removed, they will tend to return the fiber
to its original shape and will show good crease recovery.
Elongation & Elastic Recovery
 Elongation and elastic recovery

The amount of extension or stretch that a fiber accepts is

referred to as elongation.

Elastic recovery indicates the ability of fibers to return to

their original length after being stretched.
Resiliency
Resiliency

Resiliency refers to the ability of a fiber to come back to its original position after
being creased , folded or any type of physical stress.

Good elastic recovery usually indicates good resiliency

Excellent resiliency is exhibited by polyester, wool and nylon fibers. Flax, rayon and
cotton, on the other hand, have a low resiliency
Luster
 Luster

• Luster is amount of light reflected from the surface of the fibre

• Fine fibers provide a greater number of reflecting surfaces. Hence
good luster
• Fibers with a uniform diameter has a greater luster.
• The shape of the cross section affects the degree of luster.
• yarns made from continuous filaments are more lustrous than
those made from short fibers.
• Manufactured fibers can have their luster subdued by adding
de-lustering agents.
Flexibility
 Flexibility

• Fibers should be flexible in order to be made into yarns

and thereafter into fabrics that permit freedom of
movement. Certain end uses require greater flexibility,
e.g., automobile seat belts.
Uniformity
Uniformity

• Uniformity of fibers towards its length, ensure

production of even yarns which can then form
fabrics of uniform appearance and consistent
performance.
Stiffness
 Stiffness

Stiffness is a special property of fabric. It is the tendency

of fabric to keep standing without any support. It is a key factor
in the study of handle and drape of fabric.

Stiffness of the fibers and fabric structure greatly affect to this

quality of the fabric.
Chemical Properties
 Reaction with Acids

Most of the cellulose based fibers dissolves in acids.

While Protein Fibers has a quite good resistance to Acids.

Synthetic fibers has less or no reaction with acids at low temperatures

and low concentrations. But reacts at high temperatures and
concentrations.
 Reaction with Alkali

Most of the Protein Based fibers react with alkali.

While Cellulosic fibers has a good resistance to alkali.

Synthetic fibers has less or no reaction with acids at low

temperatures and low concentrations. But reacts at high
temperatures and concentrations.
 Reaction to Organic Solvents

It is valuable for a fiber to withstand when exposed to organic

solvents. Because these solvents has a high tendency to contact
with fabrics in day to day usage.
Organic Solvents
1. Ethyl alcohol
2. Methyl alcohol
3. Paint thinner
Effects of Bleaching

Bleaching is used everywhere in the textile industry.

A fiber must be resistance to bleaching at least to a certain stage
to become a good textile fiber.

Bleaching is done in fiber stage, Fabric stage and garment stage as

well.
Resistance to Mildew
Resistance to Insects

Insects stays in fabrics

Where they have enough
Warmth, food and
Protection as well.

Some fibers have good

Insect repellent qualities
From its nature
Ex. linen
Ability to Dye

Since people are interested and interacted with colors, it is important

for textile fibers as well