Textile fibres
Fibres are generally classified into natural fibres and synthetic/man-made fibres.
Cotton
Cotton's constituent:
- Cellulose (88-96%)
- Protein (1.1-1.9%)
- Pectic matter (0.7-1.2%)
- Wax (0.4-1.0%)
- Mineral matter (0.7-1.46)
- Organic acids (0.8%)
- Sugars (0.5-1.0%)
Wool
Wool is protein fibre. Impurities in wool fibres are depending on fibre thickness. The finer fibre, the higher proportion of impurities. The wool’s impurities are:
- Fat and suint (5-30%)
- Sand and dirt (5-40%)
- Vegetable matter (0.2-2.0%)
Silk
Silk's composition:
- Fibroin (70-80 %)
- Sericin (20-30%)
- Waxy matter (0.4-0.8%)
- Inorganic matter (1.2-1.6%)
- Pigment (0.7%)
Sericin is the major impurity of silk fibres.
Synthetic fibres
These fibres are mostly free from natural impurities being present in most natural fibres. But the following may be present in synthetic fibres being added during spinning, weaving or knitting processes which may require to be removed:
- sizing materials
- anti-static agents
- processing oils (especially in knits)
- dirt
- loom stains (lubricants).
-
Project
Contact
This resource was developed as part of an Erasmus+ project, funded with support from the European Commission under grant agreement 2016-1-SE01-KA203-22064.
The project was a collaboration between:
- The University of Borås, Sweden
- The University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland
- The University of Alcalá, Spain
- Digital Connections, Scotland
This resource has been released under Creative Commons license CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Disclaimer
If you would like more information on this resource please contact:
- Academic content – The University of Boras (www.hb.se)
- Technical resource development – The University of the Highlands and Islands Educational Development Unit - EDU (edu@uhi.ac.uk)
Except where otherwise noted, this website is licensed under Creative Commons license CC-BY-SA 4.0. All images used under permission remain the copyright of the license holder.
Download a copy of this resource in PDF format.
You can also print individual pages by printing directly from the browser.
-
