Apparel 2 – 1.01

1. Apparel 2 – 1.01 Natural and Synthetic Fibers

2. Abrasion Resistance Absorbency Flammability Luster Resilience Shape retention Structure Tensile strength Properties of Fibers

3. Abrasion Resistance • Abrasion = a worn spot that develops when fibers rub against something • “pilling” • The ability to withstand surface wear and rubbing

4. Absorbency • The ability to take in moisture or not • Wicking – fiber draws moisture away from the body

5. Flammability • Flame resistant: natural resistance to burning • Added products to become fire resistant

6. Luster • Amount of shine and reflection • Gloss or sheen of a fabric

7. Resilience • Ability of a fiber or fabric to spring back to it’s original condition, size and shape when crushed or wrinkled

8. Shape Retention • Keeps shape after wearing and washing numerous times.

9. Tensile Strength • Can withstand pulling and stretching

10. Structure • Cellulosic – come from plants or plant products such as wood pulp (cotton, rayon) • Protein – animal fibers (wool, silk)

11. Natural Fibers • Come from plants and animals • General Characteristics • Hydrophilic (Absorb Water) • Most wrinkle easily

12. Natural Fibers • Cotton • Flax (Linen) • Bamboo • Wool • Silk • Ramie • Leather

13. Cotton advantages • Strong, durable • Soft • Absorbs moisture • Breathes well • Washes easily • **low cost, high availability

14. Cotton disadvantages • Mildews • Does not spring back into shape • Wrinkles easily • Burns readily • Shrinks

15. Clothing/Fashion uses • Blouses • Dresses • Skirts • Underwear • Shirts • Jeans • Sportswear

16. Care of Cotton • Wash in machine and dry • Iron at high temperature

17. Flax (Linen) Advantages • STRONG • Absorbs moisture • Comfortable in warm weather • Washes easily

18. Linen disadvantages • Mildews • WRINKLES • Burns easily

19. Clothing/Fashion uses for Linen • Blouses • Dresses • Skirts • Suits • Home furnishings

20. Care of Linen • Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL • Iron at HIGH temperature

21. Ramie** • Plant fiber • One of the strongest natural fibers • Resistant to mildew and pests • Stiff and brittle • Combined with other fibers

22. Ramie • Very absorbent • Flammable • Not lustrous (dull) • Not resilient • Very strong • Structure = cellulosic

23. Silk • Comes from the silk worm

24. Silk Clothing/Fashion uses • Skirts • Blouses • Dresses • Neckties • Scarves • Lingerie • Sweaters

25. Abrasion resistant Very absorbent Somewhat flammable Lustrous Yes, resilient Yes, elastic (shape retention) Strong Structure: protein Silk Properties

26. Silk Disadvantages • Shows water spots • Iron at low temperature • Weakened by sunlight and sweat**

27. Clothing/Fashion uses • Knit garments • Sweaters • Gloves • Skirts • Coats • Sportswear • Socks • Suits • slacks

28. Wool • Comes from sheep • Llamas • Alpaca • Other animal fur that is shaved off

29. Wool Properties • WARM • Durable – abrasion resistant • ABSORBENT • Fire Retardant • Somewhat lustrous • Resilient (returns to original shape quickly)

30. Wool Properties • Shape retention: Shrinks sometimes if washed or dried in dryer • Absorbs odors • Requires protection against insects • Structure: protein • Strong fiber

31. Care of Wool • Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat • Iron at low temperature

32. Synthetic Fibers • Made from cellulose (plants) and petrochemicals • Characteristics • Hydrophobic (water resistant) • Promote static cling • Heat Sensitive • Many pill • Most are wrinkle resistant

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

34. Acetate uses • Dressy clothing

35. Acetate Properties • Not abrasion resistant • Absorbent • Flammable • Lustrous • Resilient

36. Acetate Properties • Shape retention – yes, is elastic • Not very strong (rips when wet) • Cellulosic structure (wood pulp)

37. Acrylic uses • Sweaters • Faux Fur • Shoe soles • carpet

38. Acrylic Properties • Absorbent • Not flammable – will melt • Not lustrous • Resilient • Elastic (shape retention)

39. Acrylic Properties • Strong • Structure: polymer

40. Aramid uses • Kevlar • Bullet Proof Vests • Cut/Heat and Chemical resistant Gloves • Nomex • Fireman Uniforms • Racing Apparel

41. Aramid (Kevlar & Nomex) advantages • Resistant to abrasion • Not absorbent • Exceptional heat** and flame resistance (not flammable)

42. Aramid properties • Not lustrous • Yes, resilient • Elastic – shape retention • Exceptional strength** • Polymer structure

43. Glass • AKA fiberglass • Uses: insulation, boats, sporting equipment • Low abrasion resistance • Yes - absorbent

44. Glass properties • Flammable • Lustrous • Resilient • Elastic shape retention • Strong • Polymer structure

45. Modacrylic • Uses: clothing and pillows • Abrasion resistant • Absorbent • Not flammable (melts) • Shiny • Yes, resilient

46. Modacrylic • Retains shape • Very strong • Polymer structure

47. Nylon uses • Clothing • Backpacks • Purses • Tents

48. Nylon Properties • Very Strong • Resilient • Lustrous • Dries quickly

49. Nylon Properties • Abrasion resistant • Not absorbent • Fire then melts • Not very shiny • Elastic resiliency

50. Nylon properties • Very strong • Polymer structure