Textile fibres or textile fibers (see spelling differences) can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, cocoons as with silk worm cocoons), as well as semisynthetic methods that use naturally occurring polymers, and synthetic methods that use polymer-based materials, and even minerals such as metals to make foils and wires. The consumer protection laws requires that fibre content be provided on content labels. Animal-based fibres Fibre Source Attribute Alpaca Alpaca Soft, warmth, lightweight Angora wool Angora rabbit Softness, blends well with other fibres ByssusPinna nobilisWarmth, lightweight Camel hair Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties Softness, warmth Cashmere wool Indian cashmere goat Softness ChiengoraDogFluffy, lightweight LambswoolSheepSoftness, elasticity, warmth Llama Llama Lightweight, insulating Mohair wool Angora goat Dyes well, lightweight QiviutMuskoxenSoftness, warmth RabbitRabbitsSoftness Silk Silk worm (Bombyx mori) Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine Eri silk Silk worm (Samia cynthia) Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine Spider silk Golden Orb-weaver Spider (Nephila inaurata madagascariensis); transgenic silk worm; transgenic yeast Ultra-strong, golden, smooth fabric finish with high shine Vicuña Vicuña Expensive, luxurious, soft WoolSheepWarmth Yak fiberWild YakHeavy, warmth
Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibres) Fibre Source Attribute AbacáAbaca plantThin, lightweight Acetate Wood Pulp Lustrous, thermoplastic Banana Banana plant pseudostem/leaves Warm, thick, durable KapokPentandra treeFluffy, soft and lightweight Coir Coconut Strength, durability Cotton Shrub Lightweight, absorbent Flax Herbaceous plant Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen Hemp Cannabis Strength, durability Ixtle Agave Strong, coarse Jute Vegetable plant in linden family Strength, durability Kenaf Hibiscus cannabinusRough Lyocell Eucalyptus Tree Soft, lightweight, absorbent Modal Beech tree Softness, lightweight Piña Pineapple leaf Soft, lightweight RaffiaRaffia palmCarpet/rough Ramie Flowering plant in nettle family Heavy, tough Rayon Wood Pulp Soft, lightweight, absorbent SisalAgave sisalanaStrength, durabilitySoy protein Tofu-manufacturing waste Wooly, lightweight
Other plant-based fibers:
Bast fibre Cedar bark textile Esparto Fique Papyrus Straw
Mineral-based fibres Fibre Source AttributeAsbestos Fire-resistance, light weight, carcinogenicGlass, Fibreglass Mixed silicates Fire-resistance, futuristic appearance in some Foil, fibres, wire
Basalt fiber Copper Gold Steel
Synthetic fibres Fibre Source Attribute Acrylic Petroleum Products Lightweight, warm, dries quickly Kevlar Aramids Very strong Modacrylic Petroleum Products Lightweight, warm, dries quickly Nomex Aramids Chemical, electrical, and flame resistant Nylon Petroleum Products Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly Polyester Petroleum Products Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly Spandex Petroleum Products Elastic, strong, lightweight Rayon Regenerated cellulose Weak when wet
See also
Synthetic fiber Fibre Textile Textile manufacturing Textile manufacturing terminology Timeline of clothing and textiles technology Units of textile measurement
References