The clothes we wear every day, home textiles, and industrial materials are made from textile fibers. These fibers are the fundamental units of fabrics and are classified into two main families: natural and chemical.

Classification of Textile Fibers

1. Natural Fibers

These are obtained directly from nature and can have animal, plant, or mineral origin.

ANIMAL ORIGIN	PLANT ORIGIN	MINERAL ORIGIN
Wool, Silk, Hair, Cashmere, Mohair, Alpaca, Camel	Cotton, Linen, Jute, Esparto, Hemp	Glass, Metallic fibers

Animal Origin

Extracted from the fleece, cocoons, or secretions of certain animals.

• Wool: Obtained from shearing sheep and rams. It is warm, elastic, and absorbent.
• Silk: Obtained from the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Fine, shiny, and strong fiber.
• Cashmere: Comes from the Cashmere goat. Lightweight, very soft, and warm.
• Mohair: From the Angora goat. Shiny, silky, and durable.
• Alpaca: From the alpaca. Warm, lightweight, and hypoallergenic.
• Camel: Obtained from the camel’s coat. Warm and durable.

Plant Origin

Derived from seeds, stems, leaves, or fruits of plants.

• Cotton: Comes from the seeds of the Gossypium genus. Soft, strong, and absorbent.
• Linen: Obtained from the stem of Linum usitatissimum. Durable, cool, and high quality.
• Jute: Extracted from the jute plant’s stem. Rough, strong, and low-cost.
• Hemp: From the Cannabis sativa stem. Very strong and sustainable.
• Esparto: Extracted from esparto plant leaves. Used in carpets and cords.

Mineral Origin

Derived from natural inorganic materials.

• Glass fiber: Obtained from molten glass. Fire and heat resistant.
• Silicon fiber: Resists temperatures up to 1000°C. Used in fireproof fabrics.

2. Chemical Fibers

These are produced through industrial processes and can be either artificial or synthetic.

ARTIFICIAL FIBERS	SYNTHETIC FIBERS
Viscose, Lyocell, Alginates, Cellulose acetate	Polyester, Polyamide, Carbon fiber, Acrylics, Elastomers

Artificial Fibers

Obtained by transforming cellulose from trees.

• Rayon Viscose: From wood cellulose. Soft and shiny.
• Modal: Similar to viscose but stronger and more elastic.
• Lyocell: Eco-friendly cellulose-based fibers. Durable and biodegradable.
• Cellulose acetate: Made by treating cellulose with acetic acid. Shiny and light.
• Alginates: Derived from algae, used in medical textiles.

Synthetic Fibers

Produced from petroleum derivatives through chemical synthesis processes.

• Polyester: Strong, quick-drying, and low water absorption.
• Polyamide (Nylon): Strong, elastic, and abrasion-resistant.
• Acrylic: Resembles wool; warm, light, and durable.
• Elastane (Spandex, Lycra): Highly elastic, used in sportswear.
• Carbon fiber: Extremely strong and light. Used in technical fabrics.
• Aramids (Kevlar, Nomex): Flame-retardant and heat-resistant. Used in safety clothing.

Key Properties of Textile Fibers

Each fiber, whether natural or chemical, has characteristics that affect performance and final product quality. The main ones are:

• Abrasion resistance: Ability to withstand friction wear.
• Pilling: Tendency to form fuzz or small knots on the fabric surface.
• Luster: Light reflection intensity, based on fiber structure.
• Elasticity: Ability to return to original shape after being stretched.
• Water absorption: Affects garment comfort; higher absorption, greater comfort.
• Light exposure: Effects like yellowing or strength loss due to sunlight.
• Fineness and length: Influence fabric softness and strength.
• Color: Affects dyeing, printing, and fading capability.

Each fiber's origin determines its specific characteristics and applications.

Natural Fibers:

Cotton