Properties of Fibers

Parthraj R.
Puranik
ME (Manmade Textiles)
PROPERTIES OF
TEXTILE FIBERS
COTTON
Physical Properties
Tenacity Dry Strength
The strength of cotton fibers is attributed

to the good alignment of its long
polymers, the countless, regular,
hydrogen bond formations between
adjacent polymers and the spiraling
fibrils in the primary and secondary cell
walls.
Its strength is 2 5 grams per denier.
Tenacity Wet Strength
The strength of cotton fiber increases by 25%

in wet state.
This is due to a temporary improvement in

polymer alignment in the amorphous regions
due to increase in the number of hydrogen
bonds.
Washing and ironing or boiling for the purpose

of sterilization is possible due to this property.
Elongation / Elasticity
The cotton fiber is relatively inelastic and

for this reason cotton textiles wrinkles
and crease readily.
% elongation of cotton is between 3

10%.
If the fibers are stretched to 5 10%, the

recovery is only 45%.
Moisture Regain
The cotton fiber is very absorbent, owing

to the presence of countless OH
groups.
The moisture regain of cotton is around

6 8%, which contributes to the comfort
properties.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Long exposure to sunlight deteriorates

the strength of the fiber.
Sunlight has bleaching effect on cotton.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight leads to

discoloration of the fibers.
Effect of Heat
Excessive application of heat energy

causes the cotton fiber to char and burn,
without any prior melting.
It can withstand very high temperatures.

Hence no special precautions are
required while ironing.
The safe ironing temperature is 220oF.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
Cotton fibers are weakened and

destroyed by acids.
Cotton is affected by hot dilute acids or

cold concentrated acids in which it
disintegrates.
Cold weak acids do not affect cotton.
Effect of Alkali
Cotton fibers are resistant to alkalis and

are relatively unaffected by normal
laundering.
This helps in mercerization and

bleaching of cotton.
Effect of Bleaches
The most common bleaches used on

cotton textile materials are sodium
hypochlorite and sodium perborate.
They bleach most effectively in alkaline

conditions to which cotton textile
materials are resistant.
Effect of Microorganisms
Cotton fibers can resist moths and most

insects but fungi and bacteria can attack
it.
Color Fastness
Cotton is easy to dye and print.
The classes of dye, which may be used to color cotton

are azoic, direct, reactive, sulphur and vat dyes.
The polar polymer system easily attracts any polar dye

molecules into the polymer system.
Therefore, dye molecules, which can be dispersed in

water, will be absorbed by the polymer system of
cotton.
FLAX
Physical Properties
Flax is a very strong fiber because it is

very crystalline polymer system permits
its extremely long polymers to form
more hydrogen bonds than cotton
polymers.
Its strength is 3 4 grams per denier.
Flax is a very inelastic fiber which is due

to its very crystalline polymer system.
Due to this inelasticity, the fabrics made

from flax (linen) tend to wrinkle or crease
easily and are stiff.
If the fiber is stretched to 3%, the

Moisture Regain
The same reasons that apply for cotton

are applicable to flax.
Its moisture regain is 7%.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Heat
Flax has the best heat resistance and

conductivity of all the commonly used
textile fibers.
With regard to other thermal properties

of flax, they are similar to cotton.
Chemical Properties
All the chemical properties of flax are

similar to cotton.
However, flax textile materials are not

mercerized.
WOOL
Physical Properties
Wool is a comparatively weak fiber.
The low tensile strength is due to few

hydrogen bonds that are formed.
The tenacity of wool is 1 1.7 grams per

denier.
When wool absorb moisture, the water

molecules gradually force sufficient
polymers apart to cause a significant
number of hydrogen bonds to break.
Hence, wool losses around 30% of

strength in wet condition.
Wool has very good elastic recovery.
The ability of wool fibers to recover from being

stretched or compressed is partly due to its
crimped configuration and partly due to the
alpha-keratin configuration of wool polymers.
In dry state, wool shows elongation of around 25

35%, whereas in wet state it becomes 50%.
When wool fiber is stretched to 5%, it shows

100% elastic recovery.
Moisture Regain
Wool fiber is highly absorbent. In fact it

is most hygroscopic of all fibers.
It has tendency of absorbing 13 18%

moisture from the atmosphere.
Heat of Wetting
Wool is renowned for its ability to give off a

small amount of heat whilst absorbing
moisture. This is known as heat of wetting.
This is due to the collision between water

molecules and the polar groups in the wool
polymers.
The heat of wetting of wool is 113

grams/joule.
Fiber
Heat of Wetting (joules

per gram)
Acetate
34
Acrylic
Cotton
46
Flax
54
Nylon
31
Polyester
Silk
69
Viscose
106
Wool
113
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Wool fibers are very sensitive to

sunlight.
The presence of moisture on wool fiber

when exposed to sunlight leads to
deterioration and brittleness of fiber.
Effect of Heat
Wool decomposes at a temperature as

high as 400oF.
Safe ironing temperature is around 150 200oF.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
Wool is more resistant to acids than to

alkalis.
Although the polymer system is

weakened in acidic solutions, the fiber
does not dissolve.
Effect of Alkali
Wool dissolves readily in alkaline

solutions.
Prolonged exposure to alkalis leads to

complete destruction of the wool fiber.
Effect of Bleaches
Chlorine bleaching items are not used

as they cause damage to the fiber.
Bleaching with hydrogen peroxide can

be done under controlled conditions.
Wool when stored in damp conditions

undergo bacterial degradation.
Insects directly eat the fibers.
It is observed in the form of holes on the

fabric.
Color Fastness
Wool, like cotton, is considered easy to

dye.
It is colored most readily by acid dyes,

mordant dyes and reactive dyes.
The polarity of the polymers and its

amorphous nature is responsible for
easy dyeing of wool.
SILK
Physical Properties
The silk filament is strong.
This strength is due to its linear and very

crystalline polymer system.
Its tenacity is 2.5 5 grams per denier.
When wet, silk loses strength.
This is due to water molecules

hydrolyzing a significant number of
hydrogen bonds and in the process
weakening the silk polymer.
It loses around 20% of its strength when

wet.
Silk is considered to be more plastic than

elastic because of its very crystalline
polymer system.
In dry state, silk shows elongation of 20

25%. In wet state, the elongation
increases.
Silk has very low elastic recovery. If the

filament is stretched to greater than 20%, it
will remain permanently deformed.
Moisture Regain
Because silk has a very crystalline

polymer system, it is less absorbent than
wool.
The moisture regain of silk is 8 10% at

65% RH (relative humidity).
At 100% RH, silk can absorb 30% of

moisture.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Sunlight causes damage to silk as a

result of which the filaments lose their
strength.
This is due to the lack of covalent crosslinks in the polymer system of silk.
Effect of Heat
Silk is more sensitive to heat than wool.
The filaments cannot withstand higher

ironing and processing temperatures than
wool.
Silk decomposes at 300oF.
Safe ironing temperature is 100 120oC.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
Silk is degraded more readily by acids

than wool.
The perspiration, which is acidic, will

cause immediate breakdown of the
polymer system of silk.
Concentrated mineral acids dissolve silk

faster than wool. Organic acids do not
harm silk.
Effect of Alkali
Alkaline solutions cause the silk

filaments to swell.
Silk is not as sensitive to alkalis as wool

but it can be damaged if temperature
and concentration is too high.
Effect of Bleaches
Chlorine bleaching agents harm silk,

e.g. sodium hypochlorite.
Mild hydrogen peroxide and sodium per

borate can be safely used on silk.
Same as that of wool.
Color Fastness
Same as that of wool.
However, the luster of silk will cause its

dyed and printed silk textile materials to
appear much brighter in color than any
equivalent dyed or printed textile
material.
VISCOSE RAYON
Physical Properties
Because the polymer system of viscose

is very amorphous, its fibers are weaker
than cotton.
The tenacity of viscose rayon is 1.7

2.3 grams per denier.
When wet, viscose is only half as strong

as when dry.
Water molecule enters into the

amorphous regions of the polymer and
break a significant number of hydrogen
bonds, resulting in the weaker fiber
when wet.
The amorphous nature and fewer hydrogen bonds

of viscose, enable the polymers to slide past each
other when the fiber is put under strain.
When the strain is removed, the polymers do not

return to the original position. Thus viscose textile
materials are wrinkled or creased readily.
It shows elongation of about 20 25 %.
If the filament is stretched to greater than 10%,

then the recovery is only 40%.
Moisture Regain
The very amorphous polymer system of

viscose, as well as its polar polymers,
make viscose the most absorbent fiber
in common use.
Its moisture regain is 12 14%.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to sunlight weakens

the fiber due to moisture and ultraviolet
light of the sunlight.
Effect of Heat
At 300oF or more, viscose rayon loses

its strength and begins to decompose at
350 - 400oF.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
Resistance of rayon to acids is generally

less than that of cotton.
Organic acids can be safely used in 1

2% concentration without injury to the
fiber.
At higher temperatures and

concentrations all acids will destroy
rayon.
Effect of Alkali
Similar to that of cotton.
Effect of Bleaches
Similar to that of cotton.
Microorganisms like mildew, fungus,

bacteria, etc. affect the color, strength,
dyeing properties and luster of viscose
rayon.
Clean and dry viscose rayon is rarely

attacked by microorganisms.
Color Fastness
Viscose rayon fibers will generally color more

brightly, even when delustered, than cotton.
This is due to greater amount of incident light

reflected by viscose even when delustered.
The reflected light brightens, or increases the

value and chroma of the dyed or printed
viscose.
ACRYLIC
Physical Properties
Because of the very crystalline nature of

the polymer systems, as well as the long
chain polymers, acrylic has fairly high
tenacity.
Its tenacity is 20 to 27 g/tex.
When wet, acrylic fibers lose strength

which indicate that there is presence of
amorphous regions in the polymer
system.
The wet strength of acrylic is 10 20%

less than its dry strength.
Acrylics have soft handle.
Although the polymer system is crystalline,

the polymers are able to slide over each
other, leading to wrinkling or creasing.
Acrylics can be elongated to about 25%

without break.
When extended to about 10%, the elastic

Moisture Regain
Acrylic fibers are hydrophobic because

the polymer system is highly crystalline.
The moisture regain of acrylic is about

1.2 2 % at 65% RH.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Acrylic fibers are the most sunlight

resistant fibers in common use.
When exposed to sunlight, these fibers

will initially show loss of tenacity. Then
this effect is leveled off and hence no
further loss of tenacity is observed.
Effect of Heat
Acrylic fibers are the most heat sensitive

fibers if the commonly used synthetic fibers.
Prolonged exposure to heat leads to loss of

strength.
When taken near a flame, acrylic fibers tend

to ignite immediately, rather than melt.
They are most flammable synthetic fibers in

common use.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
The acrylic fibers are resistant to acids

because their polymers do not contain
any chemical groups which will attract or
react with acid radicals.
Effect of Alkali
The very crystalline nature of acrylic

polymer system prevents the ready
entry of alkaline solutions.
In presence of alkali, surface

discoloration, yellowing or dulling of the
acrylic textile material.
Effect of Bleaches
Acrylic fibers are not usually bleached in

practice.
Color Fastness
Acrylic fibers are most commonly dyed

with basic and disperse dyes.
Nylon
Physical Properties
Due to very crystalline polymer system,

nylon filaments have very good tenacity.
The dry tenacity of nylon filaments is 36

65 g/tex.
When wet, nylon filament lose strength

due to hydrolyzing a significant number
of hydrogen bonds in the amorphous
regions of the polymer system.
Nylon filament losses around 10 15%

strength.
The very good elastic property of nylon

filaments is due to the very regular grid
of strong hydrogen bonds in the polymer
system.
Nylon can be elongated to about 20%

without break.
When extended to about 10%, the

elastic recovery is only 90%.
Moisture Regain
Nylon filaments are not absorbent even

though there is a relatively strong
attraction for water molecules by the
polar amide groups.
Its moisture regain is 4 4.5 %.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
Nylon has only a fair resistance to

sunlight.
Effect of Heat
Nylon has very poor heat resistance.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
Nylon is less resistant to acids.
The amide group in nylon polymers are

readily hydrolyzed under acidic
conditions.
In presence of acids, white nylon

materials will assume yellow hue, while
colored nylon may appear duller.
Effect of Alkali
Prolonged and frequent exposure to

alkalis will cause weakening of the nylon
textile material along with yellowing of
white fiber and dulling of colored nylon.
Effect of Bleaches
Nylon textile materials are inherently

white and do not require bleaching.
Not attacked by microorganisms.
Color Fastness
Nylon textile materials can be dyed with

acid, disperse and metalized dyes.
Polyester
Physical Properties
Due to extremely crystalline polymer

system, polyester filaments have very
high tenacity.
The dry tenacity of polyester filaments is

25 - 60 g/tex.
Polyester filaments do not absorb

moisture. Hence there strength is not
affected when wet.
The stiffness of polyester filaments is

due to its extremely crystalline polymer
system.
Polyester can be elongated to about 20 48% without break.
When extended to about 10%, the

elastic recovery is only 80%.
Moisture Regain
Polyester filaments are hydrophobic.
The lack of polarity and extremely

crystalline polymer resists the entry of
water molecules in the polymer system.
Its moisture regain is only 0.4 %.
Thermal Properties
Effect of Sunlight
The benzene rings of the polyester

polymer provide stability to the whole
polymer, enabling the polymers to
withstand the detrimental effects of the
suns ultraviolet radiation.
Effect of Heat
Polyester has very poor heat resistance.
Chemical Properties
Effect of Acids
The ester groups of polyester polymers

are resistant to acid hydrolysis.
This resistance is further enhanced by

the extremely high crystalline nature of
polyester which prevents the entry of
any acid or water molecules into the
polymer system.
Effect of Alkali
Alkaline conditions during laundering

may hydrolyze polymer system.
But the extreme crystalline system will

restrict this hydrolyses to surface and
hence after repeated laundering
polyester textile materials become
thinner and finer.
Effect of Bleaches
Polyester textile materials are inherently

white and do not require bleaching.
If bleaching is required this is effected

using sodium chlorite.
Not attacked by microorganisms.
Color Fastness
It is very difficult for the dye molecules to

penetrate the extremely crystalline
polymer system of polyester fiber.
Only relatively small molecules of

disperse dyes are used to dye or print
polyester fibers.

Properties of Fibers

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Parthraj R.

Tenacity Dry Strength

The strength of cotton fibers is attributed

Its strength is 2 5 grams per denier.

Tenacity Wet Strength

The strength of cotton fiber increases by 25%

This is due to a temporary improvement in

Washing and ironing or boiling for the purpose

The cotton fiber is relatively inelastic and

% elongation of cotton is between 3

If the fibers are stretched to 5 10%, the

The cotton fiber is very absorbent, owing

The moisture regain of cotton is around

Long exposure to sunlight deteriorates

Sunlight has bleaching effect on cotton.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight leads to

Excessive application of heat energy

It can withstand very high temperatures.

The safe ironing temperature is 220oF.

Cotton fibers are weakened and

Cotton is affected by hot dilute acids or

Cold weak acids do not affect cotton.

Cotton fibers are resistant to alkalis and

This helps in mercerization and

The most common bleaches used on

They bleach most effectively in alkaline

Cotton fibers can resist moths and most

Cotton is easy to dye and print.

The classes of dye, which may be used to color cotton

The polar polymer system easily attracts any polar dye

Therefore, dye molecules, which can be dispersed in

Tenacity Dry Strength

Flax is a very strong fiber because it is

Its strength is 3 4 grams per denier.

Flax is a very inelastic fiber which is due

Due to this inelasticity, the fabrics made

If the fiber is stretched to 3%, the

The same reasons that apply for cotton

Its moisture regain is 7%.

Flax has the best heat resistance and

With regard to other thermal properties

All the chemical properties of flax are

However, flax textile materials are not

Tenacity Dry Strength

Wool is a comparatively weak fiber.

The low tensile strength is due to few

The tenacity of wool is 1 1.7 grams per

Tenacity Wet Strength

When wool absorb moisture, the water

Hence, wool losses around 30% of

Wool has very good elastic recovery.

The ability of wool fibers to recover from being

In dry state, wool shows elongation of around 25

When wool fiber is stretched to 5%, it shows

Wool fiber is highly absorbent. In fact it

It has tendency of absorbing 13 18%

Wool is renowned for its ability to give off a

This is due to the collision between water

The heat of wetting of wool is 113

Heat of Wetting (joules

Wool fibers are very sensitive to

The presence of moisture on wool fiber

Wool decomposes at a temperature as

Safe ironing temperature is around 150 200oF.