Fibers and Filaments

This chapter describes the most common textile fibers from both natural and synthetic sources along with the properties of such fiber and filaments. Fibers are the fundamental building blocks of all products defined as a textile, regardless of application or construction. Natural fibers were used for millennia to create garments and tools that contributed to the expansion and development of humanity. For the designer, fibers and filaments could be considered the smallest element in a textile construction. Fibers are typically available in either staple or continuous filament. Staple fibers are elements with a length that is limited via a natural or man-made process. Fibers are constructed from long chains of atoms known as polymers. The incorporation of poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers into a cotton yarn increases its crease recovery, as the PET fibers are inclined to return to original state, thus creating easy-care fabrics.