Textile Fibres and Constructions

Elisabeth HeimdalBSc in Textile Engineering

MSc in Design & InnovationPhD student at the section for Innovation & Sustainability

ehei@man.dtu.dk

What is a textile fibre?

“Fibres are units of matter having length at least 100 times their diameter or width. ”

In other words: Fibres are long and thin materials.

What is a textile construction?

A textile construction is what holds fibres together in a textile.

Form Groups!

1 – Fibre

• Try to identify what kind of fibre the textile is made of.

• Look, touch, smell, (listen)!

• Which properties does the used fibre give the textile?

Different kinds of textile fibres

• Natural fibres – long history

• Man-made fibres – since 1900:

o Synthetic fibres – from polymers

o Regenate fibre – e.g. from cellulose

Properties of different kinds of textile fibresFibre Moist

absorbanceAbrasionresistance

Cotton High High

Wool High Medium

Silk High Medium

Polyester Low (Very) High

Viscose High Medium

2 - Construction

• Try to define how the fibres are held together into a textile.

• Look, touch, stretch!

• Which properties does the used construction give the textile?

Properties of different kinds of textile constructions

• Woven textiles Stiff textile

• Knitted textiles Elastic textile

• Non-woven textiles Cheap textile

Influence Between Fibre & Construction and Final Properties

• There are no good or bad textile fibres or textile constructions.

• It all depends on what the final textile is going to be used for.

• Each textile fibre & construction has its place, consequences and cost.

Textiles can be used for so much!

“Future textiles” Design Competition

“Future textiles” Design Competition

“Future textiles” Design Competition

Thank you for your attention!