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This lesson covers textile fibres — both natural and synthetic — as required by AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552), Section 3.1.6. Understanding fibre properties is essential for selecting appropriate fabrics for different products.
A fibre is a thin, hair-like strand that can be spun into yarn and then woven, knitted or bonded into fabric. Fibres are classified as either natural (from plants or animals) or synthetic (man-made from chemicals, usually derived from oil).
graph TD
F[Textile Fibres]
F --> N[Natural Fibres]
F --> S[Synthetic Fibres]
N --> NP[Plant / Cellulose]
N --> NA[Animal / Protein]
NP --> C1[Cotton — seed hair]
NP --> C2[Linen — flax stem]
NA --> A1[Wool — sheep fleece]
NA --> A2[Silk — silkworm cocoon]
S --> SO[Oil-based polymers]
SO --> P1[Polyester — drapes, sportswear]
SO --> P2[Nylon / Polyamide — strong, elastic]
SO --> P3[Acrylic — wool substitute]
SO --> P4[Elastane / Lycra — high stretch]
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Seed hairs of the cotton plant (Gossypium) |
| Comfort | Very comfortable against skin; soft |
| Absorbency | Highly absorbent — absorbs up to 27 times its own weight in water |
| Breathability | Excellent — allows air to circulate |
| Strength | Good — actually stronger when wet |
| Dyeing | Takes dyes very well |
| Ironing | Creases easily; withstands high iron temperatures |
| Biodegradability | Fully biodegradable |
| Care | Can be machine washed at high temperatures; tumble-dried |
Uses: T-shirts, jeans (denim is woven cotton), underwear, towels, bedding, canvas bags, medical bandages.
Environmental considerations: Cotton farming uses large amounts of water (10,000 litres per kg) and pesticides. Organic cotton addresses pesticide use but still requires significant water.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Fleece of sheep (also goats — cashmere, mohair; and alpacas) |
| Warmth | Excellent insulator — traps air between crimped fibres |
| Absorbency | Absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet |
| Elasticity | Good — springs back to shape after stretching |
| Fire resistance | Naturally flame-retardant; self-extinguishes |
| Felting | Can matt and shrink if agitated in hot water (felting) |
| Biodegradability | Fully biodegradable |
| Care | Often requires gentle or hand washing; dry cleaning for tailored garments |
Uses: Jumpers, suits, coats, scarves, blankets, carpets, felt crafts.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Cocoon of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) |
| Appearance | Natural lustre (sheen); drapes beautifully |
| Strength | Very strong for its thickness |
| Comfort | Smooth, cool against skin; lightweight |
| Absorbency | Moderate |
| Elasticity | Good |
| Cost | Expensive — labour-intensive production |
| Biodegradability | Fully biodegradable |
Uses: Formal clothing (dresses, blouses, ties, scarves), lingerie, parachutes (historically), surgical sutures.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Stem of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) |
| Strength | Strongest natural fibre — about 2–3× stronger than cotton |
| Breathability | Excellent — ideal for hot climates |
| Absorbency | Very absorbent; dries quickly |
| Drape | Stiff, structured drape; creases easily |
| Biodegradability | Fully biodegradable |
| Growing | Flax requires less water and fewer pesticides than cotton |
Uses: Summer clothing, tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, artists' canvas, upholstery.
AQA Exam Tip: Linen's key fact is that it is the strongest natural fibre. Cotton is the most commonly used, wool is the warmest and silk has the most lustrous appearance. Use these distinguishing properties to answer comparison questions.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Made from petroleum (oil-based polymer: PET) |
| Strength | Strong and durable |
| Crease resistance | Excellent — holds its shape well |
| Absorbency | Very low — dries quickly (but can feel clammy) |
| Elasticity | Good — retains shape after stretching |
| Cost | Cheap to produce |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable — persists in the environment |
| Microplastics | Releases microplastic fibres when washed |
Uses: Clothing (often blended with cotton), sportswear, fleece jackets, curtains, upholstery, PET bottles (can be recycled into polyester fabric), duvet fillings.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Petroleum-based synthetic polymer |
| Strength | Very strong, especially in tension; good abrasion resistance |
| Elasticity | Excellent — highly elastic |
| Weight | Very lightweight |
| Absorbency | Low |
| Quick drying | Yes |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable |
Uses: Tights and stockings, parachutes, ropes, carpets, toothbrush bristles, windbreakers, backpacks, umbrellas.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Petroleum-based synthetic |
| Appearance | Can be made to look and feel like wool |
| Warmth | Good (retains heat, lightweight) |
| Absorbency | Very low |
| Cost | Cheap — much cheaper than wool |
| Pilling | Tends to pill (bobble) with wear and washing |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable |
Uses: Knitwear (budget jumpers, hats, gloves), faux fur, craft yarns, blankets, carpets.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Polyurethane-based synthetic fibre |
| Elasticity | Exceptional — can stretch up to 600% of its length and return to shape |
| Strength | Moderate alone; usually blended with other fibres (2–20% elastane) |
| Comfort | Close-fitting, moves with the body |
| Absorbency | Very low |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable |
Uses: Sportswear, swimwear, leggings, underwear, skinny jeans (blended with cotton or polyester), medical compression garments.
AQA Exam Tip: Elastane is almost never used on its own — it is always blended with other fibres to add stretch. If a question asks about a fabric that is "95% cotton, 5% elastane", explain that the cotton provides absorbency and comfort while the elastane provides stretch and shape retention.
| Feature | Natural Fibres | Synthetic Fibres |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Plants or animals | Petroleum (oil) |
| Biodegradability | Yes | No (most) |
| Absorbency | Generally high | Generally low |
| Comfort | Breathable, soft | Can feel clammy; quick-drying |
| Cost | Varies (cotton = cheap; silk = expensive) | Generally cheap |
| Environmental | Water/pesticide use; biodegradable | Oil-based; microplastic pollution; not biodegradable |
| Crease resistance | Generally poor (except wool) | Generally good |
| Strength | Varies | Generally strong and durable |
Many fabrics are blends of natural and synthetic fibres to combine the best properties of each.
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