List of textile fibres
Textile fibres can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, insect cocoons as with silk worm cocoons), as well as semisynthetic methods that use naturally-occurring polymers, and synthetic methods that use polymer-based materials, and even minerals such as metals to make foils and wires. The textile industry requires that fibre content be provided on content labels. These labels are used to test textiles under different conditions to meet safety standards (for example, for flame-resistance), and to determine whether or not a textile is machine washable or must be dry-cleaned. Common textile fibres used in global fashion today include:[1][2][3]
Animal-based fibres (protein fibres)
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
| Byssus | saltwater clam | lightweight |
| Chiengora | dog hair | fluffy lightweight |
| Qiviut | Muskoxen | Softness, warmth |
| Yak | Yak | -Heavy, warmth |
| Rabbit | Rabbits | Softness |
| Wool | Sheep | Warmth |
| Lambswool | Lambs | Softness, elasticity, warmth |
| Cashmere wool | Indian cashmere goat | Softness |
| Mohair wool | North African angora goat | Warmth, holds dyes well, lightweight |
| Camel hair | Arabian Dromedary and Northeast Asian Bactrian camels | Warmth, lightweight |
| Alpaca / Vicuña / Guanaco / Llama wool | South America camelid varieties | Softness, warmth |
| Angora wool | Angora rabbit | Softness, blends well with other fibres |
| Silk | Chinese mulberry silkworm | Smooth fabric finish with high shine |
|
Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibres)
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
| Abacá | the abaca plant | thin lightweight |
| Coir | Coconut | Strength, durability |
| Cotton | Shrub | Lightweight, absorbent |
| Flax | Herbaceous plant | Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen |
| Jute | Vegetable plant in linden family | Strength, durability |
| Kapok | pentandra tree | fluffy |
| Kenaf | Hibiscus cannabinus | rough |
| Raffia | Raffia palm | carpet/rough |
| Bamboo | Grass pulp | Lightweight, pliable fibre |
| Hemp | Cannabis | Strength, durability |
| Modal | Beech tree | Softness, lightweight |
| Piña | Pineapple leaf | soft,lightweight |
| Ramie | Flowering plant in nettle family | heavy,tough |
| Sisal | Agave sisalana | Strength, durability |
| Soy protein | Tofu-manufacturing waste | wooly,lightweight |
|
Mineral-based fibres
Synthetic fibres
| Fiber | Source | Attribute |
|---|
| Rayon (Viscose) | Regenerated cellulose, semisynthetic | Lustrous appearance, absorbent |
| Acetate | Cellulose, semisynthetic | Lustrous appearance, pliable fabric |
| Polyester | Polymer, polyethylene terephthalate | Wrinkle-resistant, easy care |
| Aramid | Aromatic polyamide | Heat- and tear-resistant |
| Acrylic | Acrylonitrile | Imitates wools and cashmeres due to softness |
| Ingeo | Polylactide | Hydrophilic (Wicks away persperation) |
| Luminex | Fibre optics | Light-emitting |
| Lurex | Polyamide, polyester | Metallic appearance, sheen |
| Lyocell | Cellulose | Strong, soft, absorbent, biodegradeable |
| Nylon | Polyamide | Silk-like appearance |
| Spandex (Lycra) | Polyurethane | Stretches easily |
| Olefin fiber | Polyethylene, polypropylene | Wicks away persperation (hydrophilic), lightweight (olefin fibres have the lowest specific gravity of all fibres) |
| PLA fibre, Polylactide | Polymers, lactic acid | Lightweight, wicks away perspiration (hydrophilic), UV light-resistant |
See also
References