Fibre to Fabric (Class VI- Chemistry)

Fibres and fabrics are fundamental components of the textile industry, serving as the building blocks of countless products we use daily. Fibres are materials available in the form of thin, continuous, and flexible strands, which are spun into yarn and subsequently made into fabrics. Fabrics are defined as cloth materials created by knitting or weaving threads together. This article delves into the types, sources, and processes involved in transforming fibres into fabrics, highlighting both natural and synthetic varieties.

Types of Fibres

Fibres can be classified into two main types based on their origin: natural fibres and synthetic fibres.

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres are sourced from plants and animals. These fibres are biodegradable and renewable, making them environmentally friendly.

• Cotton: Obtained from the cotton bolls, which are the fruits of the cotton plant, cotton is grown in regions with black clayey soil and a warm climate. The fibres are soft, breathable, and highly absorbent, making them ideal for clothing, bed linens, and towels.
• Jute: Extracted from the stem of the jute plant, jute fibres are long, soft, and shiny with a silky texture. Jute is primarily cultivated during the rainy season in states like West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam. It is used for making sacks, ropes, and mats due to its strength and durability.
• Silk: Produced by silkworms, silk is obtained through a process called sericulture. The silk thread is harvested from the cocoon of the silk moth, known for its smoothness, sheen, and strength. Silk is used in luxury textiles such as sarees, ties, and upholstery.
• Wool: Sourced from the fleece of sheep, camels, goats, and yaks, wool is known for its warmth, softness, and elasticity. It undergoes several processes including shearing, scouring, sorting, cleaning, dyeing, straightening, rolling, and combing to transform it into yarn. Wool is widely used in making garments like sweaters, scarves, and socks.

Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic fibres are man-made, created through chemical processes using petrochemicals. These fibres are known for their durability, resistance to environmental factors, and cost-effectiveness.

• Nylon: Known for its strength, elasticity, and resistance to abrasion, nylon is used in products like hosiery, parachutes, and fishing nets.
• Polyester: Durable, resistant to shrinking and stretching, and quick-drying, polyester is used in clothing, home furnishings, and industrial applications.
• Acrylic: Similar in texture to wool, acrylic is used in sweaters, blankets, and upholstery fabrics.
• Rayon: A versatile fibre, rayon is used in clothing and home textiles, blending well with other fibres to enhance their properties.

Animal Fibres

Animal fibres like silk and wool have unique properties that make them highly valuable in the textile industry.

Wool Processing

The journey of wool from the animal to the fabric involves several stages:

• Shearing: The fleece is removed from the animal.
• Scouring: The fleece is cleaned to remove dirt and grease.
• Sorting: The fleece is sorted based on quality.
• Cleaning and Dyeing: The sorted wool is cleaned and dyed.
• Straightening, Rolling, and Combing: The wool is straightened, rolled, and combed to prepare it for spinning into yarn.

Silk Production

Silk production, or sericulture, involves the following stages:

• Mating and Egg Laying: A female silk moth lays around 200-300 eggs.
• Hatching and Feeding: The eggs hatch, and the larvae feed on mulberry leaves for about 30 days.
• Cocoon Formation: The larvae spin a protective layer or cocoon around themselves, made of a single silk thread.
• Pupa Stage: The silk fibres are obtained by killing the pupa and unwinding the silk thread from the cocoon after boiling it.
• Moth Emergence: The pupa eventually develops into an adult moth, completing the life cycle.

Plant Fibres

Plant fibres such as cotton and jute are integral to various textile applications.

Cotton Processing

Cotton undergoes several steps to transform from raw fibre to fabric:

• Ginning: The process of removing seeds from cotton bolls. This can be done by hand or using machines.
• Spinning: Thin strands of cotton fibres are twisted to form yarn. Spinning can be done manually or with a spinning wheel.
• Weaving: Two distinct yarns are interlaced on looms to create fabric.
• Knitting: A single yarn is looped continuously to form fabric. Knitting can be done by hand or machine.

Jute Processing

Jute is cultivated mainly in regions with a humid climate and is harvested when the plants are in full bloom. The stems are cut, bundled, and soaked in water to allow the fibres to separate through a process called retting. The fibres are then stripped from the stem and processed into yarn.

Fabrics

Fabrics are woven materials or textiles prepared from yarns through weaving or knitting.

Weaving

Weaving is the process of interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles to each other. This process is carried out on looms, which can be hand-operated or power-operated. Weaving creates a variety of fabrics, depending on the yarns used and the pattern of interlacing.

Knitting

Knitting involves creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn. This can be done by hand or machine. Knitted fabrics are known for their elasticity and comfort, making them suitable for garments like sweaters and socks.

Natural Fibres vs. Synthetic Fibres

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres, derived from plants and animals, are eco-friendly and biodegradable. Plant fibres, also known as cellulosic fibres, include cotton, flax, hemp, jute, and ramie. Animal fibres, or protein fibres, include wool and silk. Natural fibres are preferred for their breathability, comfort, and ability to absorb moisture.

Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic fibres are created through chemical processes and are more durable than natural fibres. They are not biodegradable but offer advantages like resistance to wrinkles, shrinking, and stretching. Examples include polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Synthetic fibres are widely used in various industries, including aerospace, construction, and medical applications.

Evolution of Clothing

The use of fibres and fabrics dates back to ancient times when people used natural materials like flax and cotton for clothing. The process of making clothes has evolved significantly, with mechanization playing a major role in modern textile production. Machines now perform most of the tasks that were once done by hand, increasing efficiency and allowing for mass production of textiles.

Applications of Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic fibres have diverse applications across various industries:

• Aerospace: Used in the production of lightweight, durable materials for aircraft.
• Apparel: Widely used in clothing for their durability and ease of care.
• Architecture and Construction: Used in building materials for their strength and resistance to environmental factors.
• Marine Industry: Used in ropes, sails, and other marine equipment.
• Medical Industry: Used in surgical sutures, medical implants, and other medical devices.

Animal Fibres in Detail

Animal fibres such as wool and silk are highly valued for their unique properties.

Wool Varieties

Wool comes from various animals, each providing different qualities of wool:

• Sheep Wool: The most common type of wool, used in a wide range of textiles.
• Camel Wool: Known for its warmth and softness, often used in luxury garments.
• Goat Wool (Cashmere): Extremely soft and fine, used in high-end clothing.
• Yak Wool: Durable and warm, used in traditional garments in colder regions.

Silk Varieties

Silk is prized for its texture and sheen. The quality of silk depends on the type of silkworm and its diet. The most common type is mulberry silk, produced by silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves.