This document provides information on various natural and man-made fiber types including their properties. It discusses cotton, wool, jute, silk, viscose rayon, and spandex fibers. For each fiber, it outlines key physical properties such as length, strength, elasticity, moisture content and chemical properties including how they are affected by factors like acids, alkalis, bleaches, sunlight and microorganisms. The document serves as a reference for understanding the characteristics and structures of different fibers.

1. NAMES OF FIBERS PROPERTIES OF FIBER
NAME: NIDA TARIQ
CLASS: TS-1A
DATE: 24-3-2016
NATURAL
FIBER
MAN-MADE
FIBER
COTTON VISCOUS
RAYON
WOOL SPANDEX
JUTE POLYSTER
SILK NYLON

2. GLOSSARY
• Tenacity: is the customary measure of strength of a fiber or yarn.
• Hygroscopic nature: readily absorbing moisture, as from the atmosphere.
• Moisture content: Moisture stored in fiber as an integral part of its structure
• Elasticity: Ability to stretch than with reference to its original length
• Shrinkage: Refers to the dimensionally instability (compression)
• Drape: Ability to bend in shapes.
• Colour Retention: the capability of a surface finish to maintain its original
shade and intensity over a period of time and/or exposure to sunlight.
• Abrasion Resistance: Abrasion resistance is the ability of a fabric to resist
surface wear caused by flat rubbing contact with another material.
• Flammability: The flame and heat resistance of textiles is concerned with the
flammability.

3. COTTON FIBRE

4. Physical Properties Of Cotton Fiber
• Length: ranges from 16mm-52 mm (depending upon the type of cotton)
• Fineness: ranges from 1.1-2.3 decitex.
• Tenacity: 3-3.5g/dtex The strength of cotton fibre is attributed to the good
alignment of its long polymers i.e. its polymer system is about 70% crystalline.
• Strength: increases when wet (it forms hydrogen bonds), low extension at
break 5-7%
• Elasticity – Relatively it is elastic due to its crystalline polymer system and for
this cause cotton textiles wrinkle and crease readily.
• Hydroscopic Nature – The cotton fibre is because of absorbent, owing to the
countless polar OH groups. In its polymers, these attract water molecules
which are also polar. The hydroscopic nature ordinarily prohibits cotton textile
materials from developing static electricity.
• Thermal properties – Cotton is not thermoplastic and hence excessive
application of heat energy reasons the cotton fibre to char and bum, without
prior melting.
• Luster – cotton has almost no luster. Therefore in order to make it lustrous
they need to be mercerized.

5. Physical properties of cotton
• Appearance: Cotton fibre is fairly short, fine and creamy white colour.
Colour of the fibre depends on soil of growth. ( can be from white to
creamy brown)
• Comfortable: Cotton fiber has large amorphous portion and this is why
the air can be in and out through cotton fiber. So, the fabric made by
cotton fiber is quite comfortable to use.
• Soft Hand: Cotton fiber is too much regular fiber and if properly ginned;
this fibre can be the best soft hand feeling fibre amongst the others.
• Absorbent: Cotton fiber has high absorbency power and this is why this
fiber can be died properly and without any harassment.
• Good Colour Retention: If the printing is applied on cotton fiber, it seems
it doesn’t spread the colour outside the design. So printing efficiency is
good on cotton fibre.
• Cotton Fibre Drapes Well: The drape-ability of cotton fibre is awesome.
You can use the cotton fibre made fabric in any kind of wear which needs
more flexibility and drapes.
• Sewing & Handling Is Easy: The sewing efficiency on Cotton made fabric is
easier and comfortable than other fiber. This is why the demand of cotton
made fabric is higher in all over the world.

6. Chemical Properties of Cotton Fiber
• Effects of alkalis – These fibres are resistant to alkalis and are comparatively unaffected
by normal laundering. The resistance is because of the lack of attraction between the
cotton polymers and alkalis.
• Effect of Acids – Cotton fibres are weakened and destroyed by acids. Acids hydrolyze
the cotton polymer at the glycosidic oxygen atom which connects the two glucose units
to form the cellobiose unit. Mineral acids being stronger than organic acids will
hydrolyse the cotton polymer more quickly
• Effect of Bleaches – The most common bleaches used on cotton textile materials are
sodium hypochlorite and sodium perborate.
• Effect of Sunlight and weather – The ultra-violet rays of sunlight provide photo
chemical energy whilst the infra-red rays provide heat energy essential to degrade the
cotton polymers in the pressure of atmospheric oxygen, moisture and air pollutants.
The beginning degradation is noticed as a slight fibre discoloration. Fading of colored
cotton textile also takes place.
• Colour Fastness – Cotton is easy to dye and print. The classes of dye which may be used
to colour cotton are azoic, direct, reactive, sulphur and vat dyes. The polar polymer
system easily attracts any polar dye molecules into the polar system. Therefore, dye
molecules which can be dispersed in water will be absorbed by the polymer system of
cotton. However, the dye molecules can enter solely the amorphous regions of the
polymer system of cotton. The small inter polymer spaces in the crystalline regions of
the polymer system prohibit the entry of the crystalline molecules.
• Mildew – Cotton is damaged by fungi. Heat and dampness support the growth of
mildew. The fungi feed on the molecules of sugar: Cotton treated with acrylo nitrite is
resistant to mildew.
• Insects – Moths and beetles do not change cotton. Silver fish will eat cotton cellulose
especially if heavily starched.

7. USES OF COTTON FIBRE

8. WOOL FIBER

9. Physical Properties of wool firber:
• Sun safe – wool has naturally high UV protection.
• Flame retardant – wool fibre has a higher ignition threshold than many other
fibres and is flame retardant up to 600º C. It also produces less toxic fumes in a
fire.
• Biodegradable – when disposed of, natural wool fibre takes only a few years to
decompose, and with a high nitrogen content, wool can even act as a fertilizer.
• Breathable – wool’s natural structure allows it to absorb and release water
vapour into the atmosphere, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Non allergenic – wool is not known to cause allergy and does not promote the
growth of bacteria. With microscopic scales, wool fibres can trap dust in the
top layers until vacuumed away.
• Durable and elastic – wool fibre can be bent 20,000 times without breaking
and still have the power to recover and return to its natural shape. Quality
wool garments look good for longer.
• Easy care – modern wool can be machine-washed; retaining a small amount of
natural oil, wool fibre resists dirt and grease.
• Multi-Climatic – wool acclimatizes to its surroundings.
• Naturally insulating – wool can insulate the home providing and retaining
warmth, and reducing energy costs.
• Colour – colour of wool fiber could be near white, brown and black.

10. Physical properties
• Moisture Regain: 13-16% , very absorbent, decrease strength when wet, seem warmth, will
shrink in washing.
• Electrostatic reaction: Highly electrostatic at dry conditions
• Strength: Tenacity dry =1.35 g/d, Wet = dry 0.69 weak (Due to few H-bond)
• Elasticity: Breaking extension – 42.5 %, Recovery % – 69 at 5%
• Elongation at break: Standard elongation is 25 – 35% and 25 – 50% in wet condition.
• Feel or Hand: Soft.
• Resiliency: Excellent (due to crimp)
• Abrasion resistance: Good.
• Dimensional stability: Bad (For tendency of felting).
• Effect of Sun Light: The fibres become discoloured and develop a harsh feel.

11. Chemical properties of wool fiber• Affect of Acids: Wool is attacked by hot concentrated sulphuric acid and
decomposes completely. It is in general resistant to mineral acids of all strength
even at high temperature though nitric acids tend to cause damage by oxidation.
• Effects of Alkalis: The chemical nature of wool keratin is such that it is particularly
sensitive to alkaline substances. Wool will dissolve in caustic soda solutions that
would have little effects on cotton. Strong alkaline affect on wool fiber but weak
alkaline does not affect wool.
• Effect of Resistance to Compression: Resistance to compression values are useful
in assessing the suitability of wool for specific end uses. Resistance to compression
(R to C) is the force per unit area required to compress a fixed mass of wool to a
fixed volume. Resistance to compression is related to fiber diameter and the form
and frequency of crimp.
• Effect of Resilience: Wool fibers can be stretched up to 50 percent of their original
length when wet and 30 percent when dry.
• Effect of Organic Solvent: Wool does not affect in organic solvents.
• Effects of Insects: Wool affected by insects.
• Effect of bleach: Chlorine bleach is ordinary harmful to the wool. KMnO4, Na2O2
are utilized for bleaching.
• Effect of Micro Organism: It is affected by mildew if it remains wet for long time.
• Dyeing ability: Wool absorbs many different dyes deeply, uniformly and directly
without the use of other chemicals. Because of this ability, wool is known for the
beautiful, rich colours that can be achieved.

13. JUTE FIBER

14. Physical Properties Of Jute Fiber
• Ultimate Jute Length: 1.5 to 4 mm.
• Ultimate Diameter : 0.015 to 0.002 mm.
• Jute Fiber Length: 150 to 300 CM (5 to 12 Feet).
• Jute Colour: Jute fiber can be White, Yellow, Brown or Grey.
• Strength : 3.5 to 5 G/Den.
• Specific Gravity: 1.48
• Moisture Regain : 13.75 % (Standard).
• Elasticity: Breaking Extension 1.8% and Elastic Recovery very low.
• Resiliency: Bad.
• Dimensional Stability: Good on average.
• Jute fibre is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable and thus environmentally
friendly.
• Moisture content value: 12.8% (under standard testing atmosphere)
• Luster : better quality have fairly high luster, inferior quality show matt and
pitted surface with very poor strength
• Resistance to mechanical wear: low
• Exposure in moisture: reduces strength

15. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF JUTE FIBER
• Effect of acids and alkalis: Easily damaged by hot and cold concentrated acids
but resistant to alkali.
• Effect of bleaching agent: Not effected by oxidizing and reducing agent.
• Effect of organic solvent: Resistance to organic solvent.
• Dye ability: Jute fiber has good affinity to basic dye.
• Effect of sun light: Due to presence of lignin in jute fiber it may be damaged by
sun light.
• Flammability: its flammability may be reduced by treating with boras and
boric acid mixture.
• Effect of microorganism: Jute has more resistance to microbiological attack
than either grey cotton or flax.
• Reaction with water: Jute is a hygroscopic fibre i.e. it takes in or gives out
moisture to its surrounding atmosphere.
• Effect of biological agents and light: It is attacked and damaged by the action
of micro-biological agents like bacteria, fungus, moths, insects etc. in warm
damp condition. Yellowing of the fibre is observed due to the effect of
sunlight.

17. SILK FIBER

18. Physical Properties Of Silk Fiber
• Tenacity: The silk filament is strong. This strength is due to its linear, beta
configuration polymers and very crystalline polymer system. The strength
reduces when wet.
• Specific gravity: Degummed silk has a specific gravity of 1.25.
• Draping quality: silk fibre is flexible enough and if used to make garments
then the fabric drapes well
• Elongation - Silk fibre has an elongation at break of 20-25% under normal
condition. At 100% R.H. the extension at break is 33%.
• electrical properties - Silk is a poor conductor of electricity and tends to
form static charge when it is handled. This causes difficulties during
processing, particularly in dry atmosphere.
• Elastic/Plastic nature: Silk is considered to be more plastic than elastic
because it’s very crystalline polymer system does not permit the amount
of polymer movement which could occur in a more amorphous system
• Hygroscopic nature - Because silk has a very crystalline polymer system, it
is less absorbent than wool but it is more absorbent than cotton. The
greater crystallinity of silk's polymer system allows fewer water molecules
to enter than do the amorphous polymer system of wool. It absorbs water
well (M.R.11%), but it dries fairly quickly

19. Physical properties
• Thermal properties - Silk is more sensitive to heat than wool.
• Hand feel - The handle of the silk is described as a medium and its very
crystalline polymer system imparts a certain amount of stiffness to the
filaments. This is often misinterpreted, in that the handle is regarded as a
soft, because of the smooth, even
and regular surface of silk filaments.
• Effect of sunlight - Silk is more sensitive light than any other natural fibre.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause partially spotted color change.
Yellowing of silk fibre is generally occurred due to photo degradation by
the action of UV radiation of sunlight.
• Heat conductivity: like wool, silk is a protein fibre and is a non-conductor
of heat.
• Absorbency: Silk fiber can absorb about 11% of its weight in moisture but
range varies from 10%-30%.
• Luster: high

20. Chemical properties of Silk Fiber
• Action of water: Treatment of silk in boiling water for a short period of
time does not cause any detrimental effect on the properties of silk fibre.
But on prolonged boiling, silk fibre tends to loss its strength to some
degree.
• Reaction with Acids: Concentrated mineral silk will dissolve silk faster than
wool. Organic acids do not harm silk
• Affinity for dyes: Has very good affinity for dyes, it readily absorbs basic,
acid and direct dyes.
• Reaction to alkalies: Silk is not as sensitive to alkalies as wool but it can
be damaged if concentration and temperature are high enough.
• Action of oxidising agent: Silk is highly sensitive to oxidising agents.
• Effect of heat: Silk is sensitive to heat (decomposes at 165 C)
• Reaction to insects: Silk maybe attacked by larvae of clothes mots or
carpet beetles
• Reaction to bleaches: Strong bleaches containing NaOH will deteriorate
silk. A mild bleach of H2O2 or sodium perborate maybe used with normal
conditions

21. USES OF SILK FIBER
It is often used for clothing such as shirts,
ties, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion
clothes, lining, lingerie, pyjamas, robes,
dress suits, sun dresses and Eastern folk
costumes.

22. VISCOSE RAYON

23. Physical Properties Of Viscose Rayon
• Tenacity: 2.4-3.2 gm/den
• Density: 1.64-1.54gm/c.c
• Elognation at break: 13%
• Moisture regain (MR%): 11-13%
• Melting point: The fiber becomes weak when heated above 150 C
• Ability to protest friction: low
• Colour: White
• Light Reflection ability: Good but UV rays damages fiber
• Luster: light to bright
• Rayon: It is the most absorbent of all cellulose fiber.
• Abrasion resistance: Poor due to inelasticity of fibers, and is easily damged by
scraping and will pill .
• Flammability: Very high
• Drapability: Good
• No static build-up

24. Chemical Properties Of Viscose Rayon
• Effect of alkali: Strong alkali causes this fibre to swell and loose strength.
Weak alkalis do not destroy.
• Effect of Acids: Hot and concentrated acids cause this fibre to disintegrate.
• Effects of bleaching: strong oxidising agents damage the viscose rayon
fiber
• Organic solvent: Viscose Rayon fibre has enough ability to protest the
action of organic solvents
• Protection against Mildew: Not good and it damages the fibre
• Protection against insects: Viscose rayon is affected and harmed by
insects
• Dyes: It has good affinity to Direct, vat and sulphur dye.
• Effect of iron: Ferrous hydroxide weaken viscose rayon
• Resistance to perspiration: Viscose Rayon is fairly resistant to
deterioration from perspiration ,The colour however is usually not as
resistant.

26. SPANDEX FIBER

27. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SPANDEX FIBER
• Density: The density of spandex filament ranges from 1.15 to 1.32 g/cc
• Moisture regain: ranges from 0.8 and 1.2%
• Length: It can be either in a staple or a filament form.
• Luster: It has usually dull surface
• Strength: Low strength compared to other synthetic fibres.
• Elasticity: Excellent. May stretch 400-700% that is 4-7 times the relaxed
state
• Breaking Tenacity: 0.6 to 0.9 g/d
• Electrical conductivity: low
• Flammability: It burns slowly
• Heat: Heat resistance varies among different degrades over 300 F.
• Colour: has white or nearly white colour
• Shrinkage and Growth: Fibres don’t shrink from exposure .
• Cleanliness and washability: All these fibers are unaffected by dry-
cleaning solvents although temperature of water should be 100 to 120 F,
high temperature reduces elasticity of fiber.

28. Chemical Properties Of Spandex
• Acid: Good resistance to most of acids unless exposure is over 24 hours.
• Alkalies: Good resistance to most of the alkalies, but hot alkalies may
damage the fibre.
• Organic solvents: Offer resistance to dry cleaning solvents.
• Bleaches: Can be degraded by sodium hydrochloride. chlorine bleach
should not be used.
• Dyeing: A full range of colours is available. Some types are more difficult
to dye than others. Disperse dye, chrome dye and acid dye are more
suited to this fiber.
• Protection against insects: It is not harmed by insects.
• Resistance to perspiration: Good
• Resistance to oil: Very good (which makes this fiber suitable for swim
suits)
• Effect of seawater: They are unaffected by sea water (that’s why they are
used to make swim suits)
• Protection against mildew: have excellent resistance to mildew.

30. POLYSETER FIBER

31. Physical Properties Of Polyster
• Tenacity: dry 3.5-7.0. wet 3.5-7.0
• Elognation at break: dry 15-45%, wet 15-45%
• Moisture regain: 0.4%
• Shrinkage in boiling water: 0-3%
• Crimps per inch: 12-14%
• Dry heat Shrinkage: 5-8 (at 180 C for 20 min)
• Specific gravity: 1.36- 1.41%
• Elastic recovery: 2%-5%
• Melting Point: 260-270 degrees
• Effect of Sunlight: turns yellow, retains 70-80% tenacity at long exposure
• Weight: 1.22-1.38 g/cm3
• Static build-up: Because of low moisture regain, it develops static charge.
Garments of polyester fibres get soiled easily during wear.
• Swelling and Dissolving:The fibre swells in 2% solution of benzoic acid,
salycylic acid and phenol.Alcohols, Ketones, soaps, detergents and
drycleaning solvents have no chemical action on polyester fibres.

32. Chemical Properties Of Polyster
• Effect of acids: These Polymer are resistant to acids
• Effects of alkalis: damaged by –CON alkali
• Effect of bleaches: It doesn’t require bleaching and it retains its whiteness
and requires only chlorine bleach to be used when essential
• Sunlight: It with stands the suns UV rays and is resistant to acidic
pollutants in atmosphere.
• Colour Fastness: It is not easy for dye molecule to penetrate the fibre
when dyed, it retains its colour after regular wash.
• Micro-organisms: It is resistant to bacteria and other micro organisms
• Organic Chemical Resistance: Good
• Rot Resistance: High

34. NYLON FIBER

35. Physical properties Of Nylon
• Tenacity: 6.0-8.5 gm/den
• Density: 1.14 gm/c.c
• Elasticity: Very good
• Moisture regain: 3.5-5%
• Resiliency: Good
• Melting point: 215 C
• Ability to protest Friction: Excellent
• Colour: White
• Light reflection ability: Not good
• Ability to protect heat: up to 150 C
• Lusture: Bright to light
• Dimensionally Stability: Good
• Hand feel: Soft and smooth
• Abrasion Resistance: Excellent
• Breaking extension is 20-40%

36. Chemical Properties Of Nylon
• Flammability: burns slowly
• Electrical: High insulation properties lead to static charge on fiber
• Biological: Neither micro-organisms nor moth, larvae attack Nylon
• Light No discoloration.
• Organic Solvent: Most of the solvent have little or no effect on nylon
• Alkalis: Nylon is substantially inert to alkalis
• Acid: Nylon 6 is attacked by mineral acidbut is inert to acetate acid and
formic acid
• Bleaches: Not attacked by oxidizing and reducing agent bleaches, may be
affected by chlorine bleaches.