Materials and their applications: Textiles

Question 1

What are Textiles?

Answer 1

Flexible materials consisting of a network of natural or synthetic fibres, often referred to as threads or yarns

Question 2

What are the different types of fibres?

Answer 2

Natural Fibres: From plant and animal resources. Plant fibres are made from cellulose and animal fibres are made from protein.
Examples:
Natural plant/cellulose fibres= cotton, linen
Natural animal/protein fibres= wool, silk
Natural hair/protein fibres= cashmere, mohair, angora

Manufactured fibres: Including regenerated fibres are made from natural cellulose from wood pulp or waste cotton fibres that are too short to be spun into a yarn. They have been chemically treated to modify the cellulose so that it can be made into fibres.

Question 3

How are textiles created?

Answer 3

Various methods: e.g. weaving, knitting

Question 4

What is a staple fibre? Examples?

Answer 4

A short fibre
Examples: All natural fibres except silk

Question 5

What is a filament fibre? Examples?

Answer 5

A very long continuous fibre
Examples: All manufactured fibres

Question 6

What are the characteristics of Natural plant/cellulose fibres?

Answer 6

Cotton:
- smooth surface prevents air from being trapped between fibres
- Making cotton a poor insulator, but cool to wear
- Flat twisted form does not reflect light well
- Therefore, cotton does not have a shine

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Natural animal/protein fibres?

Answer 7

Wool:
- outer surface is covered with natural grease called lanolin
- This makes the wool fibre water repellent
- The scales on the wool fibre can lock together when fibre is in the presence of heat, moisture and friction
- This makes the wool shrink (needs gentle hand washing or dry cleaning)
- The crimp and the scales cause them to stand away from each other and trap air
- Gives the wool the ability to insulate