bast fiber
Bast
fiber is the name for a Fiber between the pithy center of the stem and the skin. Examples are
flax,
jute,
hemp, and
ramie.
bicomponent fiber
A bicomponent
fiber consists of two
filaments of the same generic class but different composition which have been extruded simultaneously. This results in a continuous-
filament man-made
fiber composed of two related components, each having a different degree of shrinkage.
biconstituent fiber
Biconstituent
fiber is made by mixing two different man-made generic
fiber materials together in their fluid stage. Afterwards they are forced through a
spinneret.
cellulosic fibers
Cellulosic fibers are fibers consisting of
cellulose.
fiber
The basic unit used in the fabrication of textile
yarns and fabrics. Fibers are much longer than they are wide. The term at one time was limited to materials that could be spun into
yarn, but now is used to include filaments that do not require
spinning, such as
silk and
man-made fibers.
glass fiber
Very fine flexible
fiber made from glass. It. is used extensively for curtains and draperies. Glass
fiber fabrics are very strong and wash well, but care should be taken to avoid getting small sp
linters of the glass yarns in the hands. Glass
fiber is stiff and has poor resistance to wear and
abrasion. It is also
fireproof. See
fireproof.
man-made fibers
An overall term referring to all fibers not found naturally. This includes
rayon and
acetate made from
cellulose, a natural product. The term synthetic fibers also ap plies only to man-made fibers made entirely in the laboratory from such things as petroleum (polyester).
mineral fibers
Textile raw
material obtained from minerals in the earth, such as
asbestos, silver, gold, copper, and the like.
modified acetate fibers
Fibers that are stretched and then treated with alkali.
modified cellulose fibers
Cotton
fibers treated with caustic soda to give strength, increased
luster, and improved affinity for dye. Modification of a
fiber changes its physical and chemical properties within the limits of a generic family.
modified fibers
Fibers that are treated to eliminate charactetistics considered undesirable and to add characteristics considered desirable. Some treatments improve a
fiber’s ability to take dye, whereas others give a
fiber stretch it does not naturally have.
modified rayon fibers
Chemical treatment while
fibers are in the plastic state to give them
high tenacity (high strength). Changes in the molecular structure of the
fiber have been made.
redaimed textile fibers
Fibers made into fabric (whether sold comrnercially or not) and then converted back into
fiber. Most reclaimed textile
fibers are
wool and other natural
fibers because it is extremely difficult to reclaim man-made
fibers. See reprocessed
fibers and reused
fibers.
recycled fiber
See reclaimed textile
fibers, reprocessed
fiber, and reused
fiber.
reprocessed fibers
Fibers obtained from scraps and clips of woven and felted fabrics made of previously urmsed woot that have been shredded back into
fiber form and then remade into new yarns. Reprocessed
fibers are usually
wool fibers and must be relabeled as reprocessed
wool ac
cording to Federal Trade Commission standards. Reprocessed
fibers are less desirable than new or virgin
fibers. See virgin Fiber.
specialty fibers
Hair fibers from various breeds of goats and camels. Also included are cow- and
horsehair, fur from rabbits, and feathers of the
duck, goose, and ostrich.
spun fiber yarn
(1) A
yarn twisted by
spinning. (2) Yarn made from
staple lengths of man-made
fibers instead of the long fiIaments in which man-made
fibers are formed. To accomplish this, long
filament fibers are chopped into
staple lengths and spun to imitate natural
fiber yarns. See
filament arrd
staple.
stretch fibers
Rubber or man-made plastik
fibers (such as
spandex and anidex) that are naturally elastic or man-rnade
fibers, highly twisted, heat-set, and untwisted to leave a strong crimp. Polyester has a certain degree ol natural streich and more can iue given to the
yarn in the processing or in the
finishing of the fabric. Occasionally, polyester woven fabrics are described as stretch fabrics. Usually, stretch implies a degree of visible give in a
fiber or fabric that stretches and then returns quickly to its original shape. Stretch fabrics are sometirnes described as elastic. Sec elastic, crimp, and
recovery. See also
spandex and anidex.
synthetic fiber
A man-made textile
fiber derived from natural bases or produced by chemical synthesis. These chemicals were never fibrous in form.
virgin fibers
Fibers never made into fabric before. The term is used primarily for
wool fibers to differentiate between these and reclaimed, repro cessed, and reused fibers. See
reprocessed fibers, reclaimed fibers, and reused fibers.
acetate
A organic and chemical
fiber. Acetate is a blend of
cellulose and acetic acid that has been hardened. Solution and spun-dyed acetates are colorfast against sunlight, perspiration, and air pollution. Acetate is often used for luxurious fabrics because its appearance is similar to
silk. It is mixed occasionally with other
fibers to give additional gloss and lower the cost.
acrylic
The generic name of
fibers made from acrylic granulate, which comes from coal, air, water, petroleum, and limestone. The quota of
acrylonitrile units has to be at least 85% for a
fiber to be called acrylic. Acrylic is light in weight for the warmth it gives and is very popular for blankets or as a substitute for
wool.
acrylonitrile
The chemical composition from which
acrylic fiber is made. It results from the reaction of ethylene oxide and hydrocyanic acid.
aloe lace
A bobbin or tatted
lace made from aloe plant (i.e. agave) fibers.
aramid
A chemical man-made
fiber. A class of aromatic polyamide
fiber that differs from nylon’s polyamide
fiber.
asbestos
A mineral
fiber that is non
metallic. Its greatest virtue is that it is nonflammable. It is used in combination with other
fibers for theater curtains and in industrial clothing where flameproofing is essential. Asbestos is often used to make ironing board covers and potholders..
azlon
This term describes manufactured fibers made from regenerated natural proteins, such as casein,
zein, soybean, and peanut. In a
mixture with other fibers it gives the fabric a soft feeling.
baize
Loosely woven fabric, normally made of
cotton or
wool, which nowadays also can contain other fibers. Originally used for school bags or as covers for the doors leading to servants’ quarters in England. Baize is used for industrial purposes as well.
bast fiber
Bast
fiber is the name for a Fiber between the pithy center of the stem and the skin. Examples are
flax,
jute,
hemp, and
ramie.
Bedford cloth
Bedford cloth is a strong woven fabric with lengthwise ribs. Normally used for upholstery and riding breeches and may be made of any
fiber.
Bedford cord
Bedford
cord is a durable cloth with lengthwise ribs made of
cotton,
wool,
silk,
rayon, or combination fibers. Mainly used for outer garments or Sportswear.
bicomponent fiber
A bicomponent
fiber consists of two
filaments of the same generic class but different composition which have been extruded simultaneously. This results in a continuous-
filament man-made
fiber composed of two related components, each having a different degree of shrinkage.
biconstituent fiber
Biconstituent
fiber is made by mixing two different man-made generic
fiber materials together in their fluid stage. Afterwards they are forced through a
spinneret.
billiard doth
Billiard cloth is the cloth used on billiard tables. It is always dyed green. This is traditionally a very fine twilled fabric consisting of quality
wool. Nowadays also other fibers are used for billiard cloth.
blended yarn
A strand of fibers produced from two or more constituent fibers that have been thoroughly mixed (blended) before
spinning.
bonding
A process of joining two or more layers of cloth with a layer of adhesive, or pressing fibers into thin webs or mats held together by adhesive, plastic, or self-bonding that melts when heat is applied.Nonwoven fabrics are made in this way. The term occasionally is used as a synonym for
laminating, but this is technically incorrect
boucle yarn
Boucle
yarn is a rough, quite thick and slubby
linen yarn that is characterized by tight loops projecting from the body of the
yarn with regular intervals. It is a novelty
yarn often mixed with
yarns of other fibers for textural interest. Boucle
yarn is very popular because there are many varieties and weights.