Textile Fiber and its properties

What is Fiber?
Generic term used to describe the basic element of the material from which yarns, textiles, knits and other substances are made.
specific term used to describe the basic element characterized by a length that is at least 100 times the width of the fiber and by a definitely preferred orientation of its crystals unit cells with respect to the longitudinal axis.

What is textile fiber?
A fiber that can be spun into a yarn or processed into textiles such as fabric, knit, lace, felt, and non-woven etc. by means of an appropriate interlacing method.
In order for a fiber, it should be classically spin-able, its length should be at least 5 mm. In addition, it must be supple or flexible, present sufficient cohesiveness and be strong enough. Other properties, more or less desirable, including elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, luster, crimp, and the ability to absorb moisture.

What is Staple fiber?
A fiber type with limited length which is generally measured. It includes the fibers of natural origin and those obtained by chopping filaments. Examples are Cotton, Jute, Flax, wool, Ramie etc.

What is Filament ?
A fiber type characterized by extreme length that is not measured. The extreme length of filaments permits fabrication into yarn without or with very low twist and without the usual spinning operation required for transforming fibers into yarns. (eg,. Silk, Polyester, Nylon, etc.)

General Properties of Textile Fiber

1. Physical Properties :
• Tenacity / Specific strength (g/den)
• Length ( Cm/ Inch )
• Fineness ( Microscopic Value )
• Moisture Regain (MR%) and Moisture Content (MC%)
• Specific Gravity (g/cc)
• Elongation (Cm/inch)
• Extension (%)
• Breaking length (km)
• Elastic Recovery (%)
• Initial Young's modulus (g/den)
• Maturity Ration
• Swelling (%) and water retention (%)
• Static Electrification
• Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)
• Crystalline melting point (Tm)
• Specific heat.
• Burning behavior
• Discoloration
• Thermal Conductivity
• Piling behavior.
• LOI (%) [ Limiting Oxygen Index ]
• Durability
• Degradation
• ETC

     2.  Chemical Properties:

• Chemical Composition
• Effect of Acid
• Effect of Alkali
• Effect of Organic solvents 
• Effect of Insects
• Effect of Micro Organism

     3.   Structural Properties:

• Fine structure and appearance (length, fineness, convolutions etc )
• Micro Structure
• X- sectional view
• Longitudinal View

     4.   Performance in application:

• Domestic application
• Commercial / Business application
• Industrial application
• Technical Application