Types of Fabrics
Fabrics are either natural or synthetic, based on the type of fiber they’re comprised of. Natural
fibers can further be divided into two categories: cellulose and protein. Cellulose
fibers, such as cotton and linen, originate from plants,while protein fibers, such as wool, are
made from animal sources. Unlike natural fibers, manufactured fibers can be extruded in
various thicknesses.
It is important to understand that each fiber has a unique composition and its own set of
physical properties.
Fiber manufacturers have been able to modify the basic composition of each generic
fiber, both chemically and physically, to produce variations which provide improved characteristics,
a softer feel, greater comfort, brighter/longer lasting colors, better warmth/cooling,
moisture transport/winking, and better properties for blending with other fibers. These
improved fibers are typically given a trademark name and are owned and promoted by the
fiber producer. The most common fibers available on the market today include:
• Wool is generally obtained from the fleece of sheep, and is considered to be one of the
best natural fibers for all types of fabrics.Wool is also dirt resistant, and, in many weaves,
resists wear and tearing. It has excellent resilience and elasticity. Although wool will burn
when exposed to flame, it is self-extinguishing when the flame is removed. It accepts dyes
well and can be cleaned easily.
• Cotton is a cellulose fiber that comes from the cotton plant’s seed pod. Cotton breathes,
is relatively inexpensive, and has moderately good abrasion resistance. However, cotton
has poor resilience and recovery properties and degrades under prolonged sunlight
exposure. It is also subject to mildew. Mercerized cotton is treated to permanently
straighten the cotton fibers which then becomes a smooth, rod-like fiber that is uniform in
appearance with a high luster. Cotton is often blended with other fibers such as polyester,
linen,wool, to blend the best properties of each fiber.
• Linen is from flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. It is the strongest of the
vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. However, it is seldom used for
upholstery because it lacks resilience, flexibility, and is susceptible to abrasion. In addition,
it does not take printed dyes very well.
• Silk is a natural protein fiber, taken from the cocoon of the silkworm. It is very strong and
has good resilience and flexibility. The finish and luster of silk are generally highly valued,
but it is very expensive and is weakened by sunlight and perspiration.
• Acetate fiber is a manufactured cellulose fiber made from wood pulp—a natural, renewable
resource—and acetic acid. It is a regenerated cellulose fiber that is flammable and
288 S p a c e P l a n n i n g f o r Commerce i a l a n d R e s i d e n t i a l I n t e r i o r s
does not wear well. Like rayon, in its unmodified state it has poor sunlight resistance. Both
light and flame resistance can be improved by treating the fiber. Improved formulations
(for example, the incorporation of antimicrobial ingredient to inhibit the growth of bacteria,
mold, mildew and fungi in products) include: Celandine, Celebrate, Micro safe.
• Nylon is one of the most popular synthetic fibers. It has exceptional durability and tear
strength, with high resiliency and elasticity. Nylon is lightweight, and resistant to many
chemicals,water, and microorganisms. Some of the first nylons were not resistant to sunlight
and had a shiny appearance, but these problems can now be compensated for by
chemical formulations. Nylon works well solo or in combination with other popular synthetic
or natural fibers to obtain the superior advantages of both. Prime nylon producers
include: Allied Signal, BASE Corp., Cook son Fibers, DuPont, and Solution's.
• Acrylic is often used as a replacement for wool because of its appearance. It has moderately
good strength and resilience and is very resistant to sunlight but can be flammable.
Mod acrylics have similar properties but have much greater resistance to heat and flame.
Due to its lower specific gravity, acrylic fiber also produces fabrics having more bulk without
extra weight. A recently introduced acrylic fiber is Weather Bloc™ which has many
interesting properties; it is weather resistant, tough enough for fabrics which must perform
out-of-doors, impervious to UV light degradation, excellent print base, withstands mold
and mildew, remains brightly colorfast, and produces fabrics which sew easily,make up
beautifully and possess excellent dimensional stability. Some of the better known trademarks
are: ) is inexpensive and is highly resistant to chemicals,
mildew, and microorganisms. It has good color retention and is highly resilient and nonabsorbent.
Its desirable qualities make it useful for carpeting and carpet backing, but its low
resistance to sunlight, heat, and flame makes it undesirable for most upholstery fabrics.
Some of the better know trademarks include:
• Polyester has many desirable qualities including good resilience and elasticity, high resistance
to solvents and other chemicals, and good resistance to sunlight. Its lack-luster
burning properties, can be remedied by treatment to make it more flame-resistance. It
also tends to absorb and hold oily materials. DuPont is one of the prime manufacturers of
polyester fiber; others include Cook son Fibers,Bellman, and Kora.
• Rayon is the result of efforts to create a cheaper substitute for the precious and expensive
silk fiber. Even though rayon is considered a manufactured fiber, it is made from tree cellulose.
It has poor resistance to sunlight and poor resiliency. It is also flammable which is why
it is not often used for upholstery. One common trade name for rayon is Modal®. Rayon is
highly absorbent, soft and comfortable, easy to dye and drapes well. Rayon is commonly
blended with other fibers to obtain the best characteristics from each fiber.
By
Vijayalakshmi N. M.Sc, M.Ed.
Fabrics are either natural or synthetic, based on the type of fiber they’re comprised of. Natural
fibers can further be divided into two categories: cellulose and protein. Cellulose
fibers, such as cotton and linen, originate from plants,while protein fibers, such as wool, are
made from animal sources. Unlike natural fibers, manufactured fibers can be extruded in
various thicknesses.
It is important to understand that each fiber has a unique composition and its own set of
physical properties.
Fiber manufacturers have been able to modify the basic composition of each generic
fiber, both chemically and physically, to produce variations which provide improved characteristics,
a softer feel, greater comfort, brighter/longer lasting colors, better warmth/cooling,
moisture transport/winking, and better properties for blending with other fibers. These
improved fibers are typically given a trademark name and are owned and promoted by the
fiber producer. The most common fibers available on the market today include:
• Wool is generally obtained from the fleece of sheep, and is considered to be one of the
best natural fibers for all types of fabrics.Wool is also dirt resistant, and, in many weaves,
resists wear and tearing. It has excellent resilience and elasticity. Although wool will burn
when exposed to flame, it is self-extinguishing when the flame is removed. It accepts dyes
well and can be cleaned easily.
• Cotton is a cellulose fiber that comes from the cotton plant’s seed pod. Cotton breathes,
is relatively inexpensive, and has moderately good abrasion resistance. However, cotton
has poor resilience and recovery properties and degrades under prolonged sunlight
exposure. It is also subject to mildew. Mercerized cotton is treated to permanently
straighten the cotton fibers which then becomes a smooth, rod-like fiber that is uniform in
appearance with a high luster. Cotton is often blended with other fibers such as polyester,
linen,wool, to blend the best properties of each fiber.
• Linen is from flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. It is the strongest of the
vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. However, it is seldom used for
upholstery because it lacks resilience, flexibility, and is susceptible to abrasion. In addition,
it does not take printed dyes very well.
• Silk is a natural protein fiber, taken from the cocoon of the silkworm. It is very strong and
has good resilience and flexibility. The finish and luster of silk are generally highly valued,
but it is very expensive and is weakened by sunlight and perspiration.
• Acetate fiber is a manufactured cellulose fiber made from wood pulp—a natural, renewable
resource—and acetic acid. It is a regenerated cellulose fiber that is flammable and
288 S p a c e P l a n n i n g f o r Commerce i a l a n d R e s i d e n t i a l I n t e r i o r s
does not wear well. Like rayon, in its unmodified state it has poor sunlight resistance. Both
light and flame resistance can be improved by treating the fiber. Improved formulations
(for example, the incorporation of antimicrobial ingredient to inhibit the growth of bacteria,
mold, mildew and fungi in products) include: Celandine, Celebrate, Micro safe.
• Nylon is one of the most popular synthetic fibers. It has exceptional durability and tear
strength, with high resiliency and elasticity. Nylon is lightweight, and resistant to many
chemicals,water, and microorganisms. Some of the first nylons were not resistant to sunlight
and had a shiny appearance, but these problems can now be compensated for by
chemical formulations. Nylon works well solo or in combination with other popular synthetic
or natural fibers to obtain the superior advantages of both. Prime nylon producers
include: Allied Signal, BASE Corp., Cook son Fibers, DuPont, and Solution's.
• Acrylic is often used as a replacement for wool because of its appearance. It has moderately
good strength and resilience and is very resistant to sunlight but can be flammable.
Mod acrylics have similar properties but have much greater resistance to heat and flame.
Due to its lower specific gravity, acrylic fiber also produces fabrics having more bulk without
extra weight. A recently introduced acrylic fiber is Weather Bloc™ which has many
interesting properties; it is weather resistant, tough enough for fabrics which must perform
out-of-doors, impervious to UV light degradation, excellent print base, withstands mold
and mildew, remains brightly colorfast, and produces fabrics which sew easily,make up
beautifully and possess excellent dimensional stability. Some of the better known trademarks
are: ) is inexpensive and is highly resistant to chemicals,
mildew, and microorganisms. It has good color retention and is highly resilient and nonabsorbent.
Its desirable qualities make it useful for carpeting and carpet backing, but its low
resistance to sunlight, heat, and flame makes it undesirable for most upholstery fabrics.
Some of the better know trademarks include:
• Polyester has many desirable qualities including good resilience and elasticity, high resistance
to solvents and other chemicals, and good resistance to sunlight. Its lack-luster
burning properties, can be remedied by treatment to make it more flame-resistance. It
also tends to absorb and hold oily materials. DuPont is one of the prime manufacturers of
polyester fiber; others include Cook son Fibers,Bellman, and Kora.
• Rayon is the result of efforts to create a cheaper substitute for the precious and expensive
silk fiber. Even though rayon is considered a manufactured fiber, it is made from tree cellulose.
It has poor resistance to sunlight and poor resiliency. It is also flammable which is why
it is not often used for upholstery. One common trade name for rayon is Modal®. Rayon is
highly absorbent, soft and comfortable, easy to dye and drapes well. Rayon is commonly
blended with other fibers to obtain the best characteristics from each fiber.
By
Vijayalakshmi N. M.Sc, M.Ed.
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