Fundamentals of Textiles and Fibres
Overview
This domain tests how fibres become yarns and fabrics, and how fibre properties explain performance. Expect classification, identification, yarn count and fabric structure.
Fibre map
Fibres are natural or man-made. Natural fibres are vegetable/cellulosic (cotton, linen, jute), animal/protein (wool, silk) or mineral (asbestos). Man-made fibres are regenerated from natural polymers (viscose rayon, acetate) or synthesised from petrochemicals (polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex); inorganic types include glass and metallic. Property links matter: cotton is absorbent and has good wet strength but creases; wool insulates and felts but is weaker wet; silk has lustre but needs gentle handling; polyester is strong and quick-drying but oleophilic; viscose absorbs well yet loses strength when wet.
Yarn and fabric basics
Staple fibres are short and twisted into yarn; filament fibres are continuous. More twist gives stronger, harder yarns; low twist gives softness. Yarn count can be expressed as Ne (cotton count), tex or denier. Fabrics are woven (plain, twill, satin), knitted (weft or warp) or nonwoven. GSM expresses mass per unit area; it is not the same as yarn count.
Worked example
An unknown white fabric is soft, absorbs water quickly, burns like paper with a grey ash and no melting bead. Reasoning: paper-like burning and ash indicate a cellulosic fibre; absence of a hard bead rules out a synthetic; the soft handle and absorbency point to cotton rather than linen, which is usually crisper and stronger. If it melts and forms a hard bead, classify as synthetic instead.
Traps
Do not call viscose a synthetic; it is regenerated. Do not judge a blend by one fibre's behaviour. Do not confuse warp and weft, or GSM with yarn count. Do not assume natural means better performance in every end use.