2. Materials and components

Question 1

What is a fibre?
- what are they considered?

Answer 1

A fine, hair-like structure

• considered the raw materials of textiles

Question 2

What’s the difference between staple and filament fibres?

Answer 2

Staple= short fibre
Filament= long fibre

Question 3

What are the 3 types of fibres?

Answer 3

1. Natural
2. Synthetic
3. Regenerative

Question 4

What are Natural fibres?

Answer 4

Animal or plant based fibres

Question 5

What are natural fibres split into?
(examples of these fibres)

Answer 5

Animal:
- wool/fleece
- silk
- mohair
- cashmere
- alpaca
- angora
- camel hair

Plant:
- cotton
- linen
- hemp
- jute

Question 6

What are Synthetic fibres?

Answer 6

Fibres derived from chemicals

Question 7

Examples of synthetic fibres

Answer 7

• polyester
• nylon
• elastane
• aramid fibres
• polypropylene

Question 8

What are Regenerated fibres?

Answer 8

Fibres made from a natural cellulosic source but treated with chemicals

Question 9

Examples of regenerated fibres

Answer 9

• rayon
• viscose
• rubber
• metal
• glass

Question 10

What are Microfibres?

Answer 10

Fine, synthetic fibres

Question 11

Examples of microfibres

Answer 11

• tactel
• tencel

Question 12

Natural fibre: Cotton characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- Type of cross section? what type of surface does this cause? and what does this allow it to do well?
- What does this mean in terms of clothing?
- What does its flat twisted form not do well?
- What does its structure allow it to do well? what does this mean?

Answer 12

• Staple fibres
• flattened cross section= smooth surface= prevents air from being trapped between fibre (conducts heat away from body)
• poor insulator= cool to wear (naturally breathable)
• doesn’t reflect light well= no lustre
• absorb moisture= moisture can penetrate outer layer= stored in hollow cavity in centre of fibre

Question 13

Natural fibre: Linen characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- Type of cross section? what does this allow it to do? and what else does this give linen?
- what are the cross markings across the fibre called? what does this give linen?
- What’s its surface like? and what does this mean
- what does its structure allow it to do well? what does this mean?

Answer 13

• Staple fibres
• many sided cross section & long regular length to the fibres= reflect light quite well= slight lustre
• nodes= gives linen a slubbed appearance
• absorb moisture
• smooth surface= prevents air being trapped= cool to wear

Question 14

Natural fibre: Wool characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres?
- what is the surface covered by? what can these do in the presence of heat, moisture & friction? and what does this cause it to be?
- what can this property be used to do?
- What does this make wool in terms of care? and what does this mean it needs?
- What is the surface covered in? and what does this mean?
- what else does the fibre have? what happen to fibres when spun? what does this do?
- what does this give wool the ability to do?

Answer 14

• staple fibres
• overlapping scales= lock together= will make the wool shrink
• make felt from wool fibres
• difficult to care for= needs gentle hand washing or dry cleaning
• covered in natural greece called lanolin= water repellent
• Natural crimp= when spun crimp & scales cause fibres to stand away from each other= traps air
• Insulate

Question 15

Natural fibre: Silk characteristics
- Staple or filament fibres? what is it the only kind of?
- What is each fibre made up of?
- Type of cross section? what does this give silk?

Answer 15

• filament= only natural continuous filament
• two long protein filaments glued together
• triangular cross section= gives silk a natural lustre & softness