Fiber Project
Rachel Campbell
Cotton
Cotton comes from plants that usually grow in warm climates. Some advantages are that it is inexpensive and draws moisture from the body. A disadvantage is that it shrinks really easy and gets wrinkly easily. An end use is that it is used to make a lot of types of clothes.
Flax/Linen
Flax/Linen is made from the cellulose fibers that grow inside the stalks of the flax plant. An advantage of using this fiber is that it can last longer than other cloth because of its strength and durability. Some disadvantages of linen is that it wrinkles and creases very easily. Also it can lose its charm if washed with hard water. In the end it can be used for clothing to home furnishes.
Wool
Wool is a certain type of fiber that comes from sheep and other types of animals. Some advantages of using wool is that it is wet warm and absorbent. Also it is very tough and durable. Some disadvantages are that it can be expensive and that some wool can be very itchy and irradiative to skin. Wool can be used for end uses like clothing and furniture.
Silk
Silk comes from the cocoons of silkworms. The silkworms spin the silk fibers into a cocoon and then are picked out by people wanting to get the fibers. Some advantages of silk are that it is very soft and very luxurious. Some disadvantages of silk are that it is usually very thin in products and can be very expensive. End uses for silk are mainly just clothing because of the material.
Acetate
Acetate comes from a plant, the fibers comes from the plants stalk and are then picked out to use. Some advantages of acetate are that they blend well with other materials. A disadvantage is that it is a fairly weak fabric and the dyes may fade or bleed. Some uses for it are buttons, clothing, home furnishes , and sunglasses.
Rayon
Rayon comes from the bamboo stalk. The fibers are separated from the stalk of the plant. Some advantages of using rayon is that it is very absorbent and has a very glossy look. Some disadvantages are that because it is so absorbent it is hard to get dry. Rayon is mainly used in clothing, home furnishing, and industrial applications.
Lyocell
Lyocell comes from plants. It comes from the eucalyptus wood pulp. An advantage of using lyocell is that it is very strong and absorbent. A disadvantage of using lyocell is that it is susceptible to mildew. Some uses for lyocell are bedding cloth, some cigarettes, bandages, and baby wipes.
Nylon
Nylon is a man-made fiber that is a good substitute for silk. Nylon is very durable and can be resistant to heat. Some bad things about nylon are that they can mold easily in some things and are easily shrunken. Some uses for nylon are for clothing and parachute canopies because of its strong fibers.
Olefin
This fiber is made from polyolefin or polypropylene. Its uses are wallpaper, ropes, carpeting, and vehicle interiors. Some advantages of this fiber is that it is really strong and very comfortable. Some disadvantages are that it can be fairly heavy.
Polyester
Polyester is man-made and it comes from plastic compounds. Some advantages of using polyester is that its really cheap, resistant to shrinking, and very lightweight. Some disadvantages of using polyester is that the fabric does not shine well and stains are difficult to remove from it. Polyester is used for clothing, carpets, and home furnishes.
Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fiber that is known for its exceptional elasticity. Spandex is lightweight, very stretchy, and abrasion resistant. Although spandex has some advantages it also has some disadvantages like it is heat sensitive, nonabsorbent, and whites yellow with age. It is mainly used in clothing for its stretchiness and comfort.