Properties of Textile Fibers

Outline:
Properties:
• Effect of Sunlight
•Structure and Appearance
• Chemical Properties
•Strength • Effect of Acids
•Elongation • Effect of Alkalis
•Elastic Properties • Effect of Organic Solvents

•Specific Gravity • Resistance to Insects

• Resistance to Micro-organism
•Effect of Moisture
• Electrical Properties
•Effect of Heat
 Structure and Appearance
The surface of a fiber is most important in that it controls
the behavior of the fiber in the yarn of fabric.
 Tenacity

It is the breaking strength of the fibers and most commonly known as Tenacity.

Unit = Gram per Tex (GPT)

“Force in grams required to break a bundle of fibres one tex unit size”

Gram =>>> unit of force

Tex =>>> unit of fineness

 Elongation
“When a fiber is subjected to a force, before breaking it will stretch to
a certain degree. This stretching is described as elongation of fiber at
breaking, in the terms of percentage of the fiber’s original length.”

Elongation (%age) = (Change in Length / Original Length) * 100

 Elastic Properties

When a fiber is stretched by small amount, it may exhibit

almost perfect elasticity that is it will return to its original
length when it is released.
 Specific Gravity

It is the ratio of the mass of material to mass of an equal

volume of water at 4 ċ.

Cotton = 1.54

Flax = 1.54

Wool = 1.32
 Effect of Moisture

It is the weight of moisture present in a textile material

expressed as a percentage of its oven dry weight.

Moisture Regain = Weight of moisture in material * 100

Oven dry weight
 Effect of Heat

All fibers are affected in one way or another as

they are heated. Because fabric should withstand
the temperature used in laundering and ironing
without undue deterioration.
 Effect of Sunlight

Fiber is affected by the powerful radiation of sunlight.

Some fibers deteriorate, losing strength and changing
color by the effect of light.
 Chemical Properties

Modern techniques of processing fibers, yarns and fabrics often

involve the use of chemicals in great variety. The fiber itself
must be able to withstand these substances without suffering
harmful effect.
 Effect of Acids

Textiles are commonly subjected to acid solutions

of one sort or another and the effects of different
acids under varying conditions are important.
 Effect of Alkalis

Alkaline agents have been used for scouring

textiles. Soap itself forms an alkaline solution in
water.
 Effect of Organic Solvents

Dry cleaning agents have great importance in

textiles because these solvents are commonly
used for cleaning fabrics and the effect of these
on the fiber itself is obviously important.
 Effect of Insects

The cellulose of plant fiber and

protein of animal fiber are
substances which are the food of
other insects. E.g; Wool is eaten by
certain types of moth grub and
beetle.
 Effect of Micro-organism

Micro-organisms decomposes
the cellulose of fiber which
degrades the fiber by reducing
its strength and discoloration.
 Electrical Properties

It also influences the degree to which static

electricity will accumulate on a yarn or fabric
during processing or wear.