3 - A brief description of textile fibers

Abstract

Textile fibers are composed of polymers with many different structures, resulting in a diverse range of chemical, physical, and biological properties. This chapter offers a brief introduction to the general characteristics of polymers and polymeric materials, and classifies the main types of natural and chemical fibers. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of textile fibers are discussed, following an introduction of the chemical, physical, and morphological structures of textile fibers. Attempts are also made to summarize the many fiber-making methods, including solution wet spinning, solution dry spinning, melt spinning, electrospinning, gel spinning, etc.