Textiles

Question 1

The raw materials of textiles are classified according to their source. These 2 types are:

Answer 1

Natural fibres (polymers) -are biodegradeable
Manufactured fibres (polymers) - are not biodegradeable

Question 2

Give some examples of natural fibres. Clue: they come from animals and plants and can biodegrade.

Answer 2

animal polymers: wools like mohair and cashmere (from goat), Angora (from rabbit), alpaca, camel hair, silk
plant polymers: cotton, linen, hemp, jute, rayon, viscose

Question 3

Give some examples of manufactured fibres.

Answer 3

Synthetic: polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, elastane, lycra, aramid
Microfibres: tactile, tercel (lyocell)
Made by joining monomers to make polymers (like in chemistry)

Question 4

Blending and mixing fibres improves …..

Answer 4

properties
cost
appearance
functionality

Question 5

Properties of textiles to talk about are…

Answer 5

strength
elasticity
absorbency
durability
insulation
flammability
water-repellent
anti static
resistance to acid, bleaching and sunlight

Question 6

Properties of cotton and linen

Answer 6

absorbent
cool
hardwearing
creases easily
flammable
can shrink when washed

Question 7

Properties of hemp

Answer 7

absorbent
non static
strong
anti bacterial
used for carpets, ropes, mattress filling

Question 8

Properties of Jute

Answer 8

very absorbent
high tensile strength
anti static
used for carpets, furniture upholstery

Question 9

Properties of silk

Answer 9

absorbent
comfortable to wear
natural sheen
feels good to wear
warm and cool
used for luxury clothing and lingerie

Question 10

Properties of wool

Answer 10

warm
absorbent
strong
low flammability
good elasticity (mum’s stretchy coffee pot cosy)
used for warm outer clothing, carpets and blankets

Question 11

How do we make a fabric with mixed fibres?

Answer 11

one fibre horizontal (weft)
a different fibre vertical (warp)
weaved to make the fabric,
remember the mill at Joannes

Question 12

How do we make blended fibres?

Answer 12

Fibres spun together to make a single yarn which is then used to make the fabric
(most common is polyester cotton)

Question 13

What are woven textiles ?

Answer 13

weft fibres run along and weave in and out of warp vertical fibres (remember the mill at Joanne’s)

Question 14

What are knitted textiles?

Answer 14

yarns are looped and interlocked with each other (what mum does with her knitting needles)
Knitted textiles are much warmer as the trap air. They also stretch better that woven textiles

Question 15

Properties of polyester

Answer 15

strong
hard wearing
not absorbent
used a lot

Question 16

Properties of nylon

Answer 16

strong
hardwearing
good elasticity
poor absorbency
used for seat belts and ropes, rucksacks, carpets

Question 17

Properties of polypropylene

Answer 17

strong and hardwearing
crease resistant
non absorbent
used for fishing nets, ropes

Question 18

Properties of elastane

Answer 18

very elastic
lightweight
strong and hardwearing
used for swimwear and sports wear

Question 19

Properties of aramid

Answer 19

engineered for strength
heat resistant - no melting point
5 times stringer than nylon
used for flame resistant and protective clothing

Question 20

Fibres are the raw materials of textiles. They can be spun into yarns which are used to make…

Answer 20

fabric

Question 21

The two main ways of making texiles are…

Answer 21

weaving - more stable and strong

knitting - more stretchy

Question 22

What are microfibres?

Answer 22

extremely fine fibres

make lightweight, strong and crease resistant fabrics eg sportswear