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Natural Fibre is a term used to refer to the fibres that are obtained from animals and plants. It is defined as the type of material consisting of an collection of cells in which the diameter is negligible compared to the length.
Natural Fibre
Natural Fibre are flexible, slender and relatively strong. They exhibit elasticity in which they stretch when put under tension and return to their original length when the tension is removed.
- These types of fibre are low in density and are beneficial for the skin.
- Natural fibre has a wide range of applications in manufacturing composite materials.
- Paper can be prepared by matting different layers of natural fibres into sheets.
- They are known to be good absorbers of sweat and other liquids.
- When natural fibres are not in use then, they can easily be broken down with the help of bacteria.
- Natural fibre is anything that is procured from a natural source.
- An example of natural fibre is cotton, which is sourced from cotton seeds that grow on plants.
- Cotton is made from an insoluble substance like cellulose.
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Key Terms: Fibres, Synthetic, Natural, Cotton, Silk, Clothes, Cellulose, Natural Fibres, Elasticity, Rayon, Substances
Types of Fibres
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Fibre is defined as thin thread like material that is used in the manufacturing of materials. It was discovered when people realized the need to protect their hair and skin from the weather.
- Fibre is a lighweight material which is more durable and stronger.
- It can be stretched more than 500% of its original size.
- Fibres are used in the preparation of clothes and containers.
- Depending upon the origin of the fibre, fibre is classified mainly into two types namely Natural fibres and Synthetic fibres.
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Natural Fibres
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Natural fibres may be sourced from plants and animals and are usually processed and turned into yarn, which can then be converted into a product. Fibres like cotton are preferred for clothing materials due to their physical properties.
Natural Fibre
Cotton is usually soft and lightweight, making it a sought-after type in textiles. Natural fibres are also widely used in non-textile applications other than textiles. However, it should be noted that natural fibres have less strength when compared with synthetic fibres and are thinner, too.
Examples of Natural Fibres
Some of the most common types of natural fibres are as follows:
Cotton
Cotton is obtained from cotton seeds and is widely used for textiles. It is soft and lightweight, thus making it a comfortable fibre for clothing materials, and all of this has increased its demand in the marketplace.
Silk
Silk is obtained from an insect and produced from the substance used to form a cocoon.
Jute
Jute is a stronger fibre than cotton, silk, and jute and is obtained from plants and used to create sacks and other packaging materials.
Wool
Wool is obtained from sheep and other furry animals and is preferred for cloth manufacturing due to its capacity to hold heat. Wool is also a very common clothing fibre as it is preferred by people living in regions with cold climates.
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Advantages of Natural Fibres
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The most common advantages of natural fibres are as follows:
Comfortable to Wear
Clothes made of natural fibre are way more comfortable to wear than clothes made of synthetic fibre.
- It is suitable in the summer as the human body releases more sweat in the summer.
- A person needs a breathable fabric to wear that can absorb the excess moisture.
Exceptional Insulators
Natural fibres can trap air between them, not allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. The air is captivated in the fabric micro-holes, which provide warmth to the person.
- It helps maintain a person’s body temperature even in chilling weather conditions.
- This is why many skiers, trekkers and other people living in cold areas prefer to wear wool or silk.
More Sustainable
As the name suggests, natural fibres are obtained from nature, and with the increasing global warming, the human population needs to use more sustainable clothes.
- It is proven to be harmless to the environment.
- Since these fibres are obtained from plants and animals, they are biodegradable and can be disposed of.
- Along with this, Natural fibres can be replaced, recycled, or reused time and again in a sustainable way.
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Disadvantages of Natural Fibres
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The disadvantages of natural fibres are as follows:
More Expensive
Natural Fibres are great insulators, more sustainable, and more comfortable to wear; natural fibres are generally more expensive than synthetic fibres. Since they are extracted directly from nature, the cost of manufacturing them is often higher than the cost of manufacturing synthetic fibres.
Easily Damageable
Natural fibres do not last as long as synthetic fibres and damage easily for various reasons.
For instance, washing cotton or wool excessively can cause wrinkles in the fabric over time.
- Alternatively, natural fibres can also become good food for moths and other types of insects
- This case arises when exposed to the environment for a long time.
- Since these fibres are made of biodegradable material, various types of insects can feed on them and destroy the clothes completely.
Inconsistent Production
The production of natural fibres is sometimes not under the complete control of humans, and nature is independent and does not function according to human needs and desires. The availability is heavily affected by natural disasters and calamities, which cause high fluctuations in its production and price.
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Cotton: The Ultimate Natural Fibre
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Cotton is a natural fibre produced in dozens of countries and consumed by people of virtually every nation. It is a versatile fibre which is used in a wide variety of market applications, from apparel to bed linens and towels. It is used in non-woven hygiene products and medical and dental supplies.
Benefits of Cotton
Cotton has many benefits that drive this variety of applications.
- It is odourless: Cotton doesn’t retain odours, so you can wear more and wash less. It can be used to construct every kind of clothing, from gym shorts to evening wear.
- It is durable: Cotton is tough and durable; many products made with fibre last for years. It is easier to wash and maintain than fabrics made with other fibres, both natural and artificial.
- It is elastic in nature: Cotton holds its shape longer than fabrics infused with high percentages of engineered fibres like spandex. It is a high-performance wicking fibre that provides even higher breathability than polyester.
- It does not smell: Cotton doesn’t stink, cling, pill, or irritate the skin, which is why people most use it.
Cotton
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Synthetic Fibres
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Synthetic Fibres are also known as man-made or artificial fibres. These are produced through chemical synthesis and were first developed in the nineteenth century. One of the main reasons for their creation was the need for stronger fibres that could withstand a lot of pressure, and many of these fibres have extended use other than textiles.
Examples of Synthetic Fibres
Some of the most common types of synthetic fibres are as follows:
Rayon
Rayon is a semisynthetic material made by combining wood pulp (cellulose), carbon disulfide, and sodium hydroxide. It is used to imitate natural fibres like cotton and silk, and there are also various subtypes of rayon.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the most common synthetic fibres, and it is entirely made of chemical processes.
Polyester
Polyester is another common man-made fibre that is made chemically through plant proteins and is widely used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles. Longer shelf life and high strength of Polyester are the top characteristics.
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Advantages of Synthetic Fibres
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The advantages of synthetic fibres are as follows:
High Strength
Plastic is one of the most popular types of synthetic fibres because of its series of positive qualities, one of which is strength.
Low Cost and Easy Manufacturing
Artificial fibres can be mass-produced at a relatively lower cost than it takes to produce natural fibres. Natural fibres require a longer process, while man-made ones can be produced in a factory in less time.
Customization
One of the advantages of synthetic fibres is that they can be engineered to suit the needs. If a particular product requires the fibre to be less susceptible, it can be made through physical or chemical manipulation of the polymer.
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Disadvantages of Synthetic Fibres
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The disadvantages of synthetic fibres are as follows:
Uncomfortable to Wear
Synthetic fibres can be very uncomfortable to wear as compared to natural fibres. These fibres absorb very little sweat from the body, which is why they are not recommended to be worn in humid weather conditions.
- Due to their lack of sweat-absorbing capacity, they can cause itching and irritation to the sensitive human skin.
- Since they are made artificially by using chemicals and other synthetic materials, synthetic fibres have proven to cause different allergic reactions.
- For example, Polyester can cause skin allergies and should be worn after careful inspection.
Harmful to the Environment
These fibres are manufactured from chemicals and the by-products of petroleum, both of which are non-biodegradable. Due to this, they take decades to decompose in the environment, leading to serious amounts of land and water pollution. Upon burning, synthetic fibres also release poisonous gas that is harmful to humans to inhale and causes excess air pollution.
Non-resistant to Fire
The material used to make synthetic fibre- polymer- is easily flammable. It melts and shrinks easily when exposed to high heat or fire.
- It can stick to the skin of the person wearing this synthetic cloth.
- Due to this reason, it is advisable to avoid wearing any synthetic clothes during any activity that involves the use of fire.
Plant Fibres
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As the name suggests, plant fibres are the type of fibres extracted from plants. Some of the common examples of plant fibres are as follows:
Seed Fibres
Seed fibres are obtained from the seeds of different types of plants.
Leaf Fibres
Leaf fibres are the natural fibres that can be collected from the leaves of certain plants, and their examples include pineapple and banana.
Fruit Fibres
The natural fibres obtained from a plant's fruit (coconut fibre, for example) are called fruit fibre.
Stalk Fibres
The natural fibres that are obtained from the stalks of certain kinds of plants are called stalk fibres. Examples of stalk fibre include wheat straws, bamboo fibres, fibres obtained from the straw, and rice stalk.
Bast fibres
Bast fibres are the natural fibres obtained from the cells belonging to the stem's outer layer. Examples of bast fibres include jute fibres, industrial hemp fibres etc.,
Flax
Flax fibre is a cellulose polymer with a more crystalline structure, making it stronger, crisper, and stiffer to handle. They absorb and release water quickly, which makes linen comfortable to wear in hot weather.
- It is also one of nature's strongest vegetable fibres.
- Flax was also one of the first fibres to be extracted, spun, and woven into textiles.
Plant Fibre
Animal Fibres
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Animal fibres are natural fibres that usually contain proteins like fibroin, keratin, and collage, and the common examples of animal fibres are listed below.
Silk
Animal fibres that are obtained from Silkworm (different species produce different types of silk) are called silk fibres.
Sinew
Sinew is an animal fibre that connects the muscles of certain animals to their bones.
Wool
Wool is an animal fibre that is obtained by shearing off the fur of certain breeds of sheep.
Mohair
Animal fibre crafted from the hair of the angora goat is called mohair.
Cashmere
US standards set an average fibre diameter of not more than 19 microns for cashmere. Top quality fibre is just 14, with natural crimp, allowing it to be spun into fine, lightweight fabrics. The rare and expensive wool of six Kashmir goats is enough to make just one cashmere sports jacket.
Uses of Natural Fibres
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Some of the uses of natural fibres are as follows:
- Natural fibres are widely used in the construction industry, and such composites, when placed in a matrix of synthetic polymers, can be considered natural fibres.
- Cellulose fibre has a wide range of applications spanning several industries, such as the automobile and electronics industry.
- Natural fibres can be used for insulation and noise-absorbing panels, and when it comes to industrial value.
- The four most prominent animal fibres are silk, wool, angora, and camel hair.
- Many plant fibres also have vital industrial applications. For example, cotton fibre is an integral raw material for the textile industry.
- Other important plant fibres in the industry include hemp, jute, and flax fibre.
- Natural fibres help in the manufacturing of biomaterials; for example, the natural fibre chitin can be used to remove certain toxic pollutants from industrial water discharge.
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Things to Remember
- Natural fibres are obtained from animals and plants and have a wide range of applications in manufacturing composite materials.
- The process of making yarn from the fibre is called spinning, and the fibres are first drawn out from the source and then twisted into yarn.
- Takli and charkha are the two devices that are used in spinning.
- Clothes made of natural fibres are more comfortable to wear than those made from synthetic fibres.
- Synthetic fibres are also called man-made fibres or artificial fibres and are produced through chemical synthesis.
- Synthetic fibres have high strength, customization is possible, are low cost, and are also easy to manufacture.
Sample Questions
Ques. Give some examples of natural fibres. (2 Marks)
Ans. Cotton, Jute, wool, and silk are common natural fibres.
Ques. Define ginning and weaving. (2 Marks)
Ans. The process of separating the cotton fibres from the seeds by combining is called ginning, while the process of arranging two sets of yarns together to make a fabric is called weaving.
Ques. What advantages does cotton have over synthetic cloth. (2 Marks)
Ans. The cotton cloth absorbs water efficiently and burns at a moderate speed. At the same time, synthetic fibres are not suitable for hot and humid weather as they do not absorb sweat, whereas cotton clothes do.
Ques. How is weaving different from knitting. (2 Marks)
Ans. Weaving is the process of converting yarn into cloth and arranging two sets of yarn together to make a fabric is called weaving. Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric, and it creates multiple loops of yarn, called stitches, in a line or tube. Knitting has multiple active stitches on the needle at one time, and A single yarn is used in knitting. Also, knitting can be done by using a machine or hand.
Ques. What is rayon. (2 Marks)
Ans. Rayon is a synthetic fibre manufactured or made from natural sources such as wood and agriculture products degenerated as cellulose fibre. The rayon grades can imitate the feel and texture of natural fibres such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen.
Ques. Why are synthetic fibres easy to manufacture. (2 Marks)
Ans. Synthetic fibres can be produced massively at a relatively lower cost than it takes to produce natural fibres and can also be produced in a factory in a shorter time.
Ques. Why are synthetic fibres non-resistant to fire. (2 Marks)
Ans. The material that is used in synthetic fibre is an easily flammable polymer. When it comes in contact with high heat or fire, it melts and shrinks very easily and can also stick to the skin of the person wearing this synthetic cloth. Thus, it is advisable to avoid wearing synthetic clothes during any activity involving fire.
Ques. Why are natural fibres exceptional insulators. (2 Marks)
Ans. Natural fibres can trap air between them, so it doesn't allow the air to escape into the atmosphere. The air that gets trapped in it provides warmth and maintains a person's body temperature even in cold weather conditions. That's why natural fibres are termed exceptional insulators.
Ques. Why are synthetic fibres harmful to the environment. (2 Marks)
Ans. Synthetic fibres are manufactured from the chemicals and the by-products of petroleum, both of which are non-biodegradable, and they also take years to decompose in the environment, which causes serious amounts of land and water pollution. Along with this, upon burning, synthetic fibres release poisonous gas, which is harmful to human beings to inhale and causes excessive air pollution, too.
Ques. What are the two major types of Natural Fibres? Explain them in brief. (2 Marks)
Ans. Natural fibres are broadly classified into two categories, i.e., Plant fibres and animal fibres.
- Plant fibres are obtained from the plants and are generally composed of cellulose, often in combination with other components such as lignin. These fibres include seed hair such as flax, cotton, etc.
- Animal fibres are natural fibres that contain proteins like collagen, carotene, and fibroin. These fibres include hair wool secretion such as silk, etc.
Ques. What is the difference between natural fibre and synthetic fibre. (4 marks)
Ans. The differences between natural fibre and synthetic fibre are as follows:
| Natural Fibre | Synthetic Fibre |
|---|---|
| Natural Fibres are obtained from natural sources like plants and animals. | Synthetic Fibre are created by man in industries. |
| It is not harmful for environment. | It is harmful for environment. |
| Natural Fibre are expensive. | Synthetic fibre are cheap. |
| They can absorb water easily. | They cannot absorb water easily. |
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