Durability Properties of Fibers:
There are many properties of fiber. Among them durability is one of its most desirable properties of fiber. Fabric has become very important to consumers in the last few years. For example, when buying sheets 75% of shoppers said durability was the most important factor in their purchase. Proof of its strength can be found the great number of uses it has.
The durability of clothing to average wear and tear depends somewhat more on the elasticity, flexibility and resistance of the textile fiber and fabric, rather than the absolute strength of either fiber or fabric. If a fabric possesses these three properties, its garment will absorb or counter more readily stresses and strains during wear. It will allow itself to be deformed with less resistance, thus reducing the chance of intermediate tearing or twisting. For these reasons wool garments owe much of their durability to the elasticity, resilience and flexibility of the fiber and fabric, even though wool is a weak fiber.
Strength combined with these properties provides excellent durability that is why nylon and polyester fiber fabrics seem to last forever. Strength and reasonable flexibility can also provide good durability as illustrated by cotton which lack elasticity and resilience.
Felting, matting or bonding of fibers in fabrics tends to increase fabric strength and thereby enhance durability. A raised fabric surface increases fabric resilience and provides longer resistance to abrasive surfaces, e.g. carpets, ribbed fabrics, etc.
Durability Properties of Natural Fibers:
| Properties | Cotton | Wool | Silk |
| Strength | Good | Fair | Very Good |
| Moisture Absorbency | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Resistance to Abrasion | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Durability | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| Stability to Laundering | Very Good | Good | Good |
| Wash and Wear | Poor | Fair | Poor |
| Pressed crease Retention | Fair | Very Good | Fair |
| Pilling Resistance | Good | Poor | Good |
| Resistance to Mildew | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Resistance to Moth/Insects | Excellent | Very Poor | Poor |
| Effect of Bleaching | Becomes weak in concentrated or hot bleaching solution | Cl bleach harms, careful use of H2O2/Perborates | Cl bleach harms, careful use of H2O2 |
Durability Properties of Man-made Fiber:
| Properties | Rayon | Nylon | Polyester | Acrylic | Tencel |
| Strength | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Fair | Very Good |
| Moisture Absorbency | Poor | Poor | Very Poor | Very Poor | Very Good |
| Resistance to Abrasion | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Fair | Very Good |
| Durability | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Stability to Laundering | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Wash and Wear | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Pressed crease Retention | Good | Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Pilling Resistance | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Very Good |
| Resistance to Mildew | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Insufficient data |
| Resistance to Moth/Insects | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Insufficient data |
| Effect of Bleaching | Becomes weak in concentrated or hot solution | Good | Good | Very Good | Insufficient data |
References:
- Introduction to Textile Fibres by H. V. Sreenivasa Murthy
- Handbook of Textile Fibres: Natural Fibres by J. Gordon Cook
You may also like:
- Physical and Chemical Properties of Wool Fiber
- Application of High Performance Fibers for Special Purposes
- Technical Properties of Cotton Fiber
- Different Types of Man Made Fibers with Their Application
- Chemical Composition of Cotton Fiber
- Difference between Natural Fiber and Man Made Fiber
- Impurities of Different Natural Fibers with Percentage
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
