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Textile fibers are the fundamental building blocks of any fabric. They are the raw materials from which textiles are made. Textile fibers can be natural or synthetic. Natural fibers are derived from plants and animals, while synthetic fibers are made from chemical compounds. In this article, we will discuss the classification of textile fibers.

Classification of Textile Fibers

There are two main categories of textile fibers: natural and synthetic. Within these categories, fibers are further classified based on their properties and characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at each category and their subcategories.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are those fibers that are obtained from plants and animals. These fibers have been used for thousands of years to make clothing and other textiles. The most common natural fibers are cotton, wool, silk, and linen. These fibers are further classified based on their origin and characteristics.

a. Plant Fibers

Plant fibers are those fibers that are obtained from plants. These fibers are generally categorized into three groups: seed fibers, bast fibers, and leaf fibers.

Seed fibers: These fibers are obtained from the seeds of plants. The most common seed fibers are cotton and kapok. Cotton is one of the most widely used fibers in the world. It is soft, comfortable, and absorbs moisture well. Kapok is used primarily for stuffing and insulation.

Bast fibers: These fibers are obtained from the stem or outer skin of certain plants. The most common bast fibers are flax, hemp, and jute. Flax is used to make linen, a strong and durable fabric that is used in clothing, bedding, and tablecloths. Hemp is a versatile fiber that is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, paper, and rope. Jute is a strong and durable fiber that is used to make burlap bags, twine, and other products.

Leaf fibers: These fibers are obtained from the leaves of certain plants. The most common leaf fibers are sisal and abaca. Sisal is a strong and durable fiber that is used to make rope, twine, and other products. Abaca is a fine and flexible fiber that is used to make paper, textiles, and other products.

b. Animal Fibers

Animal fibers are those fibers that are obtained from animals. These fibers are generally categorized into two groups: wool fibers and silk fibers.

Wool fibers: These fibers are obtained from the fleece of sheep and other animals. Wool is a warm and durable fiber that is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, blankets, and rugs. Other common wool fibers include mohair, cashmere, and angora.

Silk fibers: These fibers are obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. Silk is a fine and lustrous fiber that is used to make luxury fabrics and clothing.

Synthetic Fibers

Synthetic fibers are those fibers that are made from chemical compounds. These fibers are generally categorized into two groups: thermoplastic fibers and non-thermoplastic fibers.

a. Thermoplastic Fibers

Thermoplastic fibers are those fibers that can be melted and re-molded. These fibers are generally made from petroleum-based products. The most common thermoplastic fibers are nylon, polyester, and acrylic.

Nylon fibers: These fibers are strong, lightweight, and durable. Nylon is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, hosiery, and carpets.

Polyester fibers: These fibers are strong, lightweight, and resistant to wrinkles and stains. Polyester is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, bedding, and upholstery.

Acrylic fibers: These fibers are soft, warm, and lightweight. Acrylic is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, blankets, and rugs