Scanning Electron Micrsocopy of Various Natural Textile Fibers

Abstract

Plant fibers such as cotton, hemp and flax have been cultivated for textile purposes for thousands of years. These natural fibers play an important role in daily life as apparel fibers since they provide unique comfort properties unsurpassed by synthetic fibers. However, their use is not limited to the apparel sector. In recent years the market share of consumer textiles and industrial products made from all kinds of natural fibers has tremendously increased as they present a valuable source of renewable raw materials. Investigating their surface features by microscopic techniques is important to control the performance of the desired end-product. Processing steps involving heat, light or exposure to chemicals might have a significant impact on the specific surface properties of a fiber whether or not this was originally intended. Scanning electron microscopy is therefore a very useful tool for the characterization of textile products to determine the effectiveness and eventual resulting damage from physical or chemical treatments.