Comparison Table of Different Textile Fiber Properties

Comparison Table of Different Textile Fiber:

Fiber is a unit of matter, either cellulosic or synthetic or regenerated, that forms the basic element of fabrics and other textile structures. A fiber is characterized by having a length at least 100 times its diameter or width. The term refers to units that can be spun into a yarn or made into a fabric by various methods including weaving, knitting, braiding, felting, and twisting. The essential requirements for fibers to be spun into yarn include a length of at least 5 millimeters, flexibility, cohesiveness, and sufficient strength. Other important properties include elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, and luster.

In this article I will compare different fibers properties in case of moisture regain, effects of sunlight, effects of organic solvents, effects of alkalies, effect of acids etc.

Moisture Regain of Fibers :

Fiber	Moisture Regain (%)
Cotton	7-11
Silk	11
Wool	17
Viscose Rayon	13
Acetate fibre	6.5
Nylon6, 6.6	4
Acrylic fibre	1-2
Polyester(PET) fibre	0.4

Sunlight on Common Textile Fibers:

Fiber	Effects of Sunlight
Acrylic	Some little effect or no effect.
Modacrylic	Highly resistant, some loss of strength and discoloration after constant exposure.
Polyester	Some loss of strength, no discoloration, very resistant behind glass.
Rayon	Generally resistant, loss of strength after long exposure.
Acetate	Generally resistant, loss of strength after long exposure.
Triacetate	Resistant, loss of strength after long exposure.
Nylon 66	No discoloration, strength loss after long exposure.
Glass	No effect.
Cotton	Strength loss on long exposure.
Wool	Strength loss, dyeing is affected.

Effects of Organic Solvents on Common textile Fibers:

Fiber	Effects of Organic Solvents
Acrylic	Unaffected.
Modacrylic	Soluble in warm acetone, otherwise unaffected.
Polyester	Soluble in some phenolic compounds, otherwise unaffected.
Rayon	Unaffected.
Acetate	Soluble in acetone, dissolved or swollen by many others.
Triacetate	Soluble in acetone, chloroform and swollen by others.
Nylon 66	Generally unaffected, soluble in some phenolic compounds.
Glass	Unaffected.
Cotton	Resistant.
Wool	Generally resistant.

Effects of Alkalies on Common Textile Fibers:

Fiber	Effects of Alkalies
Acrylic	Destroyed by strong alkalies at a boil, resists weak alkalies.
Modacrylic	Resistant to alkalies.
Polyester	Resistant to cold alkalies, slowly decomposed at a boil by strong alkalies.
Rayon	No effect by cold, weak alkalies swells and loses strength in concentrated alkalies.
Acetate	Saponified, little effect from cold weak alkalies.
Triacetate	Not effected up to pH 9.8,205º F; better than acetate.
Nylon 66	Little or no effect.
Glass	Attacked by hot weak alkalies and concentrated alkalies.
Cotton	Swells when treated with caustic soda but is not damaged.
Wool	Attacked by weak alkalies, destroyed by strong alkalies.

 
Effects of Acids on Common Fibers:
 

Fiber	Effects of Acids
Acrylic	Resistant to most acids.
Modacrylic	Resistant to most acids.
Polyester	Resistant to most mineral acids disintegrated by 96% sulphuric acid.
Rayon	Disintegrates in hot dilute and cold concentrated acids.
Acetate	Soluble in acetic acid, decomposed by strong acids.
Triacetate	Soluble in acetic acid, decomposed by strong acids.
Nylon 66	Decomposed by strong mineral acids, resistant to weak acids
Glass	Resists most acids. Etched by hydrofluoric acid and hot phosphoric acid
Cotton	Disintegrates in hot dilute and cold concentrated acids.
Wool	Destroyed by hot sulphuric, otherwise unaffected by acids.

Author of This Article:

MD. JASIMUDDIN MANDAL
COLLEGE: GOVT. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TEXTILE TECHNOLOGY, SERAMPORE (UNDER WEST BENGAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY)
Email ID: jasimmandal@gmail.com
Contact: +8820662240