Textiles Natural and Synthetic Fibe Natural Fibers n

Textiles Natural and Synthetic Fibe

Natural Fibers n Come from plants and animals n General Characteristics – Hydrophilic (Absorb Water) – Most wrinkle easily

Natural Fibers n Cotton n Flax (Linen) n Wool n Silk n Ramie n Leather

Cotton advantages n Strong, durable n Soft n Absorbs moisture n Breathes well n Washes easily

Cotton disadvantages n Mildews n Does not spring back into shape n Wrinkles easily n Burns readily n Shrinks

Clothing/Fashion uses n n n n Blouses Dresses Skirts Underwear Shirts Jeans Sportswear

Care of Cotton n Wash in washer and dry n Iron at high temperature

Flax (Linen) Advantages n STRONG n Absorbs moisture n Comfortable in warm weather n Washes easily

Linen disadvantages n Mildews n WRINKLES n Burns easily

Clothing/Fashion uses n Blouses n Dresses n Skirts n Suits

Care of Linen n Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL n Iron at HIGH temperature

Wool Advantages n WARM n Durable n ABSORBENT n Resilient (returns to original shape quickly) n Resists wrinkling n Fire Retardant

Wool Disadvantages n Requires special care n Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried in dryer n Absorbs odors n Requires protection against insects

Clothing/Fashion uses n n n n n Knit garments Sweaters Gloves Skirts Coats Sportswear Socks Suits slacks

Care of Wool n Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat n Iron at low temperature

Silk Advantages n Smooth n Lustrous n Strong n Dries quickly

Silk Disadvantages n Shows water spots n Iron at low temperature

Clothing/Fashion uses n Skirts n Blouses n Dresses n Neckties n Scarves n Lingerie n Sweaters

Care of silk n Dry clean or hand wash, check label n Iron at low temperature

Synthetic Fibers n Made from petrochemicals n Characteristics – Hydrophobic (water resistant) – Promote static cling – Heat Sensitive – Many pill – Most are wrinkle resistant

Synthetic Fibers n Acetate n Acrylic n Nylon n Polyester n Rayon n Spandex (Lycra) n Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex) n Olefin n Triacetate n Modacrylic

Acetate Advantages n Soft n Drapeable n Dries quickly n Resistant to shrinking

Acetate Disadvantages n Can wrinkle n Low abrasion resistance n Heat sensitive n Damaged by acetone

Clothing/Fashion uses n Skirts n Blouses n Dresses n Scarves n Linings

Acrylic Advantages n Soft n Warm n Wool-like n Light weight n Wrinkle resistant n Resistant to moths and sunlight

Acrylic Disadvantages n Pills n Static electricity n Heat sensitive

Care of Acrylic n Dry Cleaned or laundered n Iron at low temperature

Clothing/Fashion uses n Sweaters n Knit garments n Faux Fur n Coats n Pants n Skirts n Shoe soles

Nylon Advantages n Very Strong n Resilient n Lustrous n Dries quickly

Nylon disadvantages n May yellow or gray n Heat Sensitive n Low moisture absorbency

Clothing/Fashion uses n Sportswear n Jackets n Raincoats n Backpacks n Purses

Care of Nylon n Easily laundered n Iron at low temperature

Polyester advantages n Excellent WRINKLE RESISTANCE n Resistant to abrasion n Dries quickly n Blends well with other fibers n Retains heat-set pleats and creases

Polyester disadvantages n Absorbs oily stains n Low absorbency of moisture

Clothing/Fashion uses n Pants n Shirts n Suits n Sportswear n Skirts

Care of Polyester n Easily laundered n Needs little or no pressing

Rayon advantages n Soft and comfortable n High moisture absorbency n drapeable

Rayon disadvantages n May wrinkle or shrink unless treated n May mildew

Clothing/Fashion uses n Dresses n Skirts n Lingerie n Blouses

Care of Rayon n Usually dry cleaned, sometimes washable n Iron at low temperature

Spandex advantages n Excellent elasticity and recovery n Stronger and more durable than rubber n Light weight n Resistant to body oils

Spandex disadvantages n Damaged by chlorine bleach n Damaged by heat

Clothing/Fashion uses n Pants n Shirts n Jeans n Sportswear n Underwear n Socks n Bras n Tights

Aramid (Kevlar & Nomex) advantages n Exceptional strength n Exceptional heat and flame resistance n Resistant to stretch and abrasion

Aramid disadvantages n Not absorbent

Clothing/Fashion uses n Kevlar – Bullet Proof Vests – Cut/Heat and Chemical resistant Gloves n Nomex – Fireman Uniforms – Racing Apparel

The End…