Fibres

Question 1

What is a textile fibre?

Answer 1

• A unit of matter, either natural or manufactured that forms the basic element of fabrics and other textiles
• Fibres differ from each other in their chemical nature, cross-sectional shape, surface contour, colour, length and diameter

Question 2

What is a natural fibre?

Answer 2

Any fibre that exists as a fibre in its natural state (come from animals e.g. wool, plants e.g. flex, cotton, or minerals)

Question 3

What is a filament?

Answer 3

A type of fibre having indefinite or extreme length such as silk or manufactured fibre

Question 4

What are staple fibres?

Answer 4

Are natural fibres (except silk) or cut lengths of filament

Question 5

What are synthesised fibres?

Answer 5

• Those manufactured fibres that are synthesised from chemical compounds e.g. nylon, polyester
• All synthetic fibres are manufactured but not all manufactured fibres are synthetic

Question 6

What are manufactured fibres?

Answer 6

Produced from fibre-forming substances which may be synthesised polymers, modified or transformed natural polymers or glass