Properties of Different Textile Fibres

Last Updated on 14/02/2022

Textile Fibre:
A unit of matter, either natural or manufactured, that forms the basic element of fabrics and other textile structures. A fibre is characterized by having a length at least 100 times its diameter or width. The term refers to units that can be spun into a yarn or made into a fabric by various methods including weaving, knitting, braiding, felting, and twisting. The essential requirements for fibres to be spun into yarn include a length of at least 5 millimeters, flexibility, cohesiveness, and sufficient strength. Other important properties include elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, and luster.

Each fibre has particular properties which help us to decide which particular fibre should be used to suite a particular requirement. Certain fibre properties increase its value and desirability in its intended end-use but are not necessary properties essential to make a fibre. Thus it is very essential to know the individual aspects and specific properties of each kind of fibre.

There are several primary properties necessary for a polymeric material to make an adequate fibre. Certain other fibre properties increase its value and desirability in its intended end-use but are not necessary properties essential to make a fibre. Such secondary properties include moisture absorption characteristics, fibre resiliency, abrasion resistance, density, luster, chemical resistance, thermal characteristics, and flammability. In this article I will explain different properties of textile fibres.

Some Primary Properties of Textile Fibres:

1. Fibre length to width ratio,
2. Fibre uniformity,
3. Fibre strength and flexibility,
4. Fibre extensibility and elasticity, and
5. Fibre cohesiveness.

Properties of Different Textile Fibres:
Properties of different textile fibres are given below:

Properties of Nylon Fibre
Fibre Type: Nylon
Heat: Melts at 419F to 430F.
Bleaches and Solvents: Will bleach. Degrades in mineral acids and oxidizing agents.
Acids and Alkalis: Insoluble in organic solvents Resists weak acids, inert to alkalis. Hydrolyzed by strong acids
Abrasion: Excellent
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Prolonged sun exposure can cause degradation.

Polyethylene Fibre Properties
Fibre Type: Polyethylene
Heat: Melts at 525F
Bleaches and Solvents: Excellent
Acids and Alkalis: Excellent
Abrasion: Good to Poor
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent resistance to mildew.

Spandex Fiber Properties / Lycra Properties
Fibre Type: Spandez® / Lycra®
Heat: Sticks at 350-390F. Melts above 500F.
Bleaches and Solvents: Good resistance to oxidizing agents. Poor resistance to bleaches.
Acids and Alkalis: Good
Abrasion: Good in diluted (weak), but degrades in strong acids and bases.
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent aging and mildew resistance. Good resistance to sunlight.

Polyester Fibre Properties
Fibre Type: Polyester
Heat: Melts at 500F.
Bleaches and Solvents: Excellent
Acids and Alkalis: Good resistance to weak alkalis and weak acids. Moderate resistance to strong acids and alkali.
Abrasion resistance: Excellent
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent resistance to mildew, good aging. Degrades after prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Fibreglass Properties
Fibre Type: Fiberglass
Heat: Does not burn or melt
Bleaches and Solvents: Excellent solvent and bleach resistance.
Acids and Alkalis: Fair
Abrasion: Good
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent

Aramid Properties / Kelvar Properties / Nomex Properties / Tarwon Properties / Technora Properties
Fibre Type: Aramid (Kelvar®, Nomex®, Tarwon®, Technora®)
Heat: Difficult to ignite. Does not burn or melt. Decomposes at 800F to 932F.
Bleaches and Solvents: Poor in bleach. Excellent solvent resistance.
Acids and Alkalis: Good in dilute acids and bases. Poor in strong acids and bases.
Abrasion: Fair to Good
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Degrades when exposed to sunlight.

Flurocarbon Fibre Properties / Teflon Fibre Properties
Fibre Type: Fluorocarbon -Teflon® (PTFE)
Heat: Very heat resistant -350F to 550F. Melts at 620F.
Bleaches and Solvents: Essentially inert to bleaches and solvents
Acids and Alkalis: Excellent but effected by acids and alkali at high temperatures.
Abrasion: Good
Mildew, Aging and Sunlight: Excellent

Fibre Type: Nylon
Density (g/cc): 1.14
Moisture Regain (%): 2.8 to 5.0
Elongation at Break (%): 17 to 45
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 4.0 to 7.2
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 400
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): N/A
Melting Point (C/F): 216/419

Fibre Type: Polyester (PET)
Density (g/cc): 1.38
Moisture Regain (%): 0.4
Elongation at Break (%): 15.3
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 9.2
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 998
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): 11.6
Melting Point (C/F): 256/493

Kevlar Fiber Properties
Fibre Type: Kevlar 29®
Density (g/cc): 1.44
Moisture Regain (%): 7
Elongation at Break (%): 3.6
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 23
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 4,900
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
L.O.I.: 28
Melting Point (C/F): 427/800 T

Fibre Type: Kevlar 49®
Density (g/cc): 1.44
Moisture Regain (%): 3.5
Elongation at Break (%): 2.4
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 23.6
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 7,814
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
L.O.I.: 28
Melting Point (C/F): 427/800 T

Fibre Type: Nomex®
Density (g/cc): 1.38
Moisture Regain (%): 4.5
Elongation at Break (%): 28
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 4.9
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 839
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): 0.4
L.O.I.: 29-30
Melting Point (C/F): 371/700 T

Vectran Fibre Properties
Fibre Type: Vectran®
Density (g/cc): 1.41
Moisture Regain (%): < 0.1
Elongation at Break (%): 3.3
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 23
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 4,635
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.5
L.O.I.: 35
Melting Point (C/F): 330/625

Fibre Type: Technora®
Density (g/cc): 1.39
Moisture Regain(%): 2
Elongation at Break(%): 4.6
Breaking Tenacity(g/Denier): 28
Initial Modulus(CN/tex): 5,209
Thermal Shrinkage(@ 177 C): < 0.5
L.O.I.: 35
Melting Point (C/F): 330/625

Fibre Type: Twaron®
Density (g/cc): 1.44
Moisture Regain (%): 6.5
Elongation at Break (%): 3.6
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 22.3
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 4,900
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
L.O.I.: 25
Melting Point (C/F): 500/932 T

Carbon Fiber Properties / Graphite Properties
Fibre Type: Carbon / Graphite
Density (g/cc): 1.77
Moisture Regain (%): None
Elongation at Break(%): 1
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 21.3
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): —-
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
Melting Point (C/F): 315/600 T

Fibre Type: Fibreglass E-glass
Density (g/cc): 2.54
Moisture Regain (%): None
Elongation at Break (%): 4.8
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 15.3
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 2,900
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
Melting Point (C/F): 1121/2050

Fibre Type: Fibre Glass S-Glass
Density (g/cc): 2.48
Moisture Regain (%): None
Elongation at Break (%): 5.7
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 19.8
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 3,500
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
Melting Point (C/F): 1493/2719

Fibre Type: PBI
Density (g/cc): 1.43
Moisture Regain (%): 15
Elongation at Break (%): 28.5
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 2.7
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 280
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): < 0.1
L.O.I.: 41
Melting Point (C/F): 460/860 T

Fibre Type: PTFE (Teflon)
Density (g/cc): 2.1
Moisture Regain (%): None
Elongation at Break (%): 35
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 1.7
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 110
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): 7
L.O.I.: N/A
Melting Point (C/F): 327/621 TT

Fibre Type: Spectra® / Dyneema®PBI
Density (g/cc): 0.97
Moisture Regain (%: < 0.1
Elongation at Break(%): 2.7-3.5
Breaking Tenacity (g/Denier): 26 to 34
Initial Modulus (CN/tex): 10,595
Thermal Shrinkage (@ 177 C): N/A
Melting Point (C/F): 147/297

*T – Does not melt, begins to decompose
**TT – Does not melt, but begins to Gel

You may also like:

1. Properties of Textile Fibers
2. Textile Fibers and Their Classification
3. Electrical Properties of Textile Fiber
4. Durability Properties of Natural and Manmade Fibers
5. Torsional Properties of Fiber and Textile Materials
6. Frictional Properties of Textile Fibers and Its Effect in Fiber Processing

Mazharul Islam Kiron

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.

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