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. Common textile fibres used in global fashion today include:[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Animal-based fibres [ edit ]
Fibre
Source
Attribute
Alpaca
Alpaca
Soft, warmth, lightweight
Angora wool
Angora rabbit
Softness, blends well with other fibres
Azlon
Synthetic
Soft, silky, hygroscopic, also known as Aralac
Byssus
Pinna nobilis
Warmth, lightweight
Camel hair
Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties
Softness, warmth
Cashmere wool
Indian cashmere goat
Softness
Chiengora
Dog
Fluffy, lightweight
Lambswool
Sheep
Softness, elasticity, warmth
Llama
Llama
Lightweight, insulating
Mohair wool
Angora goat
Dyes well, lightweight
Qiviut
Muskoxen
Softness, warmth
Rabbit
Rabbits
Softness
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
Wool
Sheep
Warmth
Yak fiber
Wild Yak
Heavy, warmth
Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibres)[ edit ]
Fibre
Source
Attribute
Abacá
Abaca plant
Thin, lightweight
Acetate
Wood Pulp
Lustrous, thermoplastic
Bamboo
Grass pulp
Lightweight, pliable fibre
Banana
Banana plant pseudostem/leaves
Warm, thick, durable
Kapok
Pentandra tree
Fluffy, soft and lightweight
Coir
Coconut
Strength, durability
Cotton
Shrub
Lightweight, absorbent
Flax
Herbaceous plant
Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen
Hemp
Cannabis
Strength, durability
Jute
Vegetable plant in linden family
Strength, durability
Kenaf
Hibiscus cannabinus
Rough
Lyocell
Eucalyptus Tree
Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Modal
Beech tree
Softness, lightweight
Piña
Pineapple leaf
Soft, lightweight
Raffia
Raffia palm
Carpet/rough
Ramie
Flowering plant in nettle family
Heavy, tough
Rayon
Wood Pulp
Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Sisal
Agave sisalana
Strength, durability
Soy protein
Tofu-manufacturing waste
Wooly, lightweight
Other plant-based fibers:
Mineral-based fibres [ edit ]
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