Yarns - 常州纺织服装职业技术学院精品课程网.doc

Unit One Textile Fibers I. Main Tasks This unit explains what textile fiber is and its classification. It aims to get students familiar with the primary properties of the fiber. II. Text Fibers A Fiber is a pliable hairlike strand1 that is very small in diameter in relation to its length. It is defined as “units of matter characterized by flexibility, fineness, and a high ratio of length to thickness.” In individual textile fibers, the length/width ratio is at least 1000/1. If the fiber is to be used for textile end uses, it must possess certain essential properties or characteristics. Fibers are the fundamental units used in the making of textile yarns and fabrics. Fabric is made from yarn, and yarn is made from fibers. These fibers can be divided into two major groups, namely natural fibers2 and man-made fibers3. Natural fibers include animal fibers (e.g. wool and silk), vegetable fibers4 (e.g. cotton and jute) and mineral fibers5 (e.g. asbestos). Man-made fibers are either regenerated6 or synthetic7. The regenerated fibers are those in which the fiber-forming material is of natural origin; the synthetic fibers are made by the chemical synthesis of simple polymer-forming materials. For example, viscose rayon8, based on regenerated cellulose9, is man-made but not synthetic， while polyester10, polypropylene11 and nylon12 are all synthetic fibers. Fiber properties contribute to the properties of a fabric. These primary properties include tenacity13 or adequate strength14; flexibility15 or pliability; cohesiveness16 or spinning quality; and uniformity. The secondary properties include physical shape17, density18 or specific gravity, luster19, moisture regain20, elastic recovery21, elongation22, thermal behavior, resistance to biological organisms and etc. For example, strong fibers make durable fabric ; absorbent fibers are good for skin-contact apparel and for towels and diapers; fibers that are self-extinguishing23 are good for children’s sleep-wear, protectiv