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| Most manufactured fibers both burn and melt, and also
tend to shrink away from the flame. Other identifying
characteristics include:
Acetate: Has an odor similar to burning paper and vinegar. Itīs
residue is a hard, dark, solid bead.
Characteristics:
Luxurious appearance
Crisp or soft hand
Wide range of colors; dyes and prints well
Excellent drapeability and softness
Shrink, moth, and mildew resistant
Low moisture absorbency, relatively fast drying
No piling problem, little static problem
Most acetate garments require
dry-cleaning
Major End
Uses:
Apparel- Blouses, dresses, linings, special occasion
apparel,
Home Fashions - Draperies, upholstery, curtains,
bedspreads.
Acetate is a "dry clean only" fiber.
However, again, read the label, because many of the new acetate
circular knits, that have been out on the market for a few years,
are hand washable. So far, there is no washable woven acetate
available in the marketplace.
Acrylic: Has a fishy odor. The residue
is a hard irregularly-shaped bead. It also gives off a black smoke
when burned
Characteristics:
Light-weight, soft, warm with a wool-like hand
Dyes to bright colors with excellent fastness
Outstanding wickability
Machine washable, quick drying
Resilient; retains shape; resists shrinkage, &
wrinkles
Flexible aesthetics for wool-like, cotton-like or
blended appearance
Excellent pleat retention
Resistant to moths, oil and chemicals
Superior resistance to sunlight degradation
Static and piling can be a problem
Major End
Uses:
Apparel - sweaters, socks, fleece, circular knit
apparel, sportswear, children wear
Home Fashions - Blankets, throws, upholstery, awnings,
outdoor furniture, rugs/floor
coverings
Nylon:
Has an odor likened to celery. Itīs residue is initially a hard,
cream-colored bead that becomes darker.
Characteristics:
Lightweight
Exceptional strength
Good drapeability
Abrasion resistant
Easy to wash
Resists shrinkage and wrinkling
resilient, pleat retentive
Fast drying, low moisture absorbency
Can be precolored or dyed in a wide range of colors
Resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals
Static and piling can be a problem
Poor resistance to continuous
sunlight
Major End
Uses:
Apparel - swim wear, active wear, intimate apparel,
foundation garments, hosiery, blouses, dresses, sportswear, pants,
jackets, skirts, raincoats, ski and snow apparel, windbreaks,
children wear.
Home Fashions - carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery,
draperies, bedspreads
Other - Luggage, back packets, life vests, umbrellas,
sleeping bags, tents.
Olefin/Polyolefin: Has a chemical type odor. The
residue id a hard, tan-colored bead. The flames creates black
smoke.
Characteristics:
Lightweight, lightest fiber, it floats
Strong
Abrasion resistant, resilient
Stain-, static-, sunlight-, and odor-resistant
High insulation characteristics
Resists deterioration from chemicals, mildew,
perspiration, rot and weather
Fast drying
High wickability
Color fast, because colors are incorporated during fiber
forming stage
Spills can be readily wiped up
Static and piling can be a problem
Ironing, washing and drying need to be done at low
temperature
Non-allergenic
Major End
Uses:
Apparel - active wear, sportswear, jeans, socks,
underwear, lining fabrics.
Home Fashions - indoor
and outdoor carpets, carpet backing, upholstery, wall coverings,
furniture and bedding construction
fabrics.
Polyester: Has a somewhat sweet
chemical odor. The residue is initially a hard cream-colored bead
that becomes darker. Flames gives off black smoke.
Characteristics:
Strong
Crisp, soft hand
Resistant to stretching and shrinkage
Washable or dry-cleanable
Quick drying
Resilient, wrinkle resistant, excellent pleat retention
(if heat set)
Abrasion resistant
Resistant to most chemicals
Because of its low absorbency, stain removal can be a
problem
Static and piling problems
Major End
Uses:
Apparel - essentially every form of clothing, dresses,
blouses, jackets, separates, sportswear, suits, shirts, pants, rain
wear, lingerie, children wear
Home Fashions - curtains, draperies, floor coverings,
fiber fill, upholstery, bedding .
Spandex: It burns and melts, but does not shrink
from the flame. It has a chemical type odor. Its residue is a soft
black ash
- Lycra is the
spandex fiber produced by Invista. It is lightweight and soft, but
stronger and more durable than rubber. Lycra can be stretched over
500% without breaking, and can be stretched repeatedly and still
recover it's original length. It provides lightweight freedom of
movement in men's, women's and children's apparel. Uses include
athletic apparel, bathing suits, foundation garments, ski pants,
slacks, tights, slacks,
support and surgical hose.
cotton
Natural
Fiber - cellulose
Characteristics:
- Comfortable
- Soft hand
- Absorbent
- Good color retention, prints well
- Machine-washable, dry-cleanable
- Good strength
- Drapes well
- Easy to handle and sew
Major End Uses:
Apparel - Wide range of wearing apparel: blouses,
shirts, dresses, children wear, active wear, separates, swim wear,
suits, jackets, skirts, pants, sweaters, hosiery, neck wear.
Home Fashions - curtains, draperies, bedspreads,
comforters, throws, sheets, towels, table cloth, table mats,
napkins
Rayon
Manufactured Fiber - cellulose-based
from wood pulp
Characteristics:
Soft and comfortable
Drapes well
Highly absorbent
Dyes and prints well
No static, no piling problems
Fabric can shrink appreciably if washing
dry-clean-only rayon
Washable or dry cleanable. Read the
label!
Major End Uses:
Apparel - Blouses, dresses, jackets, lingerie,
linings, millinery, slacks, sportshirts, sportswear, suits, ties,
work clothes
Home Fashions - bedspreads, blankets, curtains,
draperies, sheets, slip covers, table cloth,
upholstery.
Mohair
Natural Fiber - made
from the hair of angora goats
Characteristics:
Long, lustrous, strong fiber
Luxurious
Soft hand
Most resilient natural textile fiber
Lightweight, warms, good insulator
Dyes well, brilliant colors
Non-crush, non-mat and non-pill qualities.
Resists fading
Major End Uses:
Apparel - coats, suits, dresses, sweaters, accessories,
lounge wear, socks.
Home Fashions - blankets, throws, upholstery, draperies,
carpets, rugs.
Ramie
Natural
Fiber - Also known as
China grass.
Characteristics:
Very absorbent (more absorbent than linen)
Quick drying.
Very resistant to mildew and rotting
Good strength
Smooth lustrous appearance that improves
with washing
Similar to linen, but lower quality
Fibers are brittle, with low twisting or
bending strength.
Poor resiliency
Wrinkles easily
Major End Uses:
Apparel - dresses, suits, separates, skirts, jackets,
pants, blouses, shirts, children wear.
Home Fashions - curtains, draperies, upholstery, bedspreads,
table linens, sheets, dish towels.
Comments Best in blends with other softer
fibers.
Silk
Natural Fiber - animal fiber created by the silk
worm
Characteristics:
Soft or crisp hand
Luxurious
Drapes and tailors well
Thinnest of all natural fibers
Dyes and prints well
Hand-washable or dry-cleanable
Little problem with static, no piling problem
Only fair abrasion resistance
Poor resistance to prolonged
exposure to sunlight
Major End Uses:
Apparel - dresses, blouses, skirts, jackets, pants,
pants, scarves, ties.
Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery.
Do you
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