Chapter VI Fibers and fibrous materials

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the structure and properties of the natural and synthetic fibers used in the production of textile materials, including woven, knitted, and nonwoven products. The principal fiber types, including the cellulosics, acrylics, polyamides, polyesters, and polyolefins are discussed. The chapter focuses on numerous specialty fibers that are used in absorption applications, which include alloy rayon fibers, modified cellulose fibers, acrylic and polyester fibers, and superabsorbent fibers. The chapter also discusses methods of formation and the important structural characteristics of fibrous materials produced from fibers, including yams, woven and knitted fabrics, and nonwoven products. The physical properties of fibrous materials depend on two separate but somewhat interdependent factors. The first involves the individual component fibers constituting the fibrous material in question. The second factor which influences the physical properties of fibrous materials is the geometric arrangement of the component fibers. In attempting to understand sorption characteristics in terms of fiber properties, one must distinguish to a certain extent among the sorption of liquids and that of vapors and gases. Adsorption and absorption of vapors and gases take place by the fibers themselves. Textile yarns are produced from staple (finite length) fibers by a combination of processing steps referred to collectively as "yarn spinning".