Modern fibres

Microfibres:

Polyester or nylon microfibres are 60-100 times finer than a human hair (the diagram below shows what they look like up close):

• Microfibres can be blended with other synthetic or natural fibres.
• Microfibres are used for outdoor-pursuits clothing and active sportswear.
• Thermoplastic polyester or nylon microfibres can be heat-treated to give them coils, crimps and loops, which makes these textured yarns stretchy and warm. They are used for underwear, sportswear, knitwear and carpets.

Fibre blends

Blending different fibres together produces yarns that have the combined properties of each component fibre. Using fibre blends improves the appearance, performance [performance: how a textile performs in use - eg water proof or hardwearing. ], comfort and aftercare [aftercare: how a textile should be washed, ironed, dried or dry-cleaned to maintain its properties. ] of fabric. Blending can also reduce the cost of an expensive fibre.

• A shirt made from polyester / cotton blend is more easy-care and crease-resistant than a shirt made from 100 per cent cotton.
• Cotton / Lycra blend jeans are more comfortable, stretchy [stretchy : fabric or yarn with very high stretch and recovery properties - eg Lycra. ] and fit better than cotton jeans.
• Acrylic / wool blend trousers are less expensive than 100 per cent wool trousers.

Some modern microfibres

• Elastane (Lycra). This is always used in a blend with other fibres. It is used to make sportswear, body-hugging clothes and bandages. It has good handle [handle: how a textile feels when touched such as soft, rough, smooth, warm or cool ] and drape [drape: the supple and flexible characteristics of a fabric - how it hangs or behaves when pleated or folded ], is durable, crease-resistant, stretchy (more comfortable) and is easy-care. It has low warmth and is absorbent [absorbent: able to take in and hold moisture ].
• Tencel. This is a 'natural' microfibre made from cellulose derived from wood-pulp. It is used for shirts and jeans. It has soft handle, good drape, is breathable [breathable: allowing perspiration to evaporate, making sports or work clothes more comfortable to wear ], durable [durable: able to withstand wear, especially as a result of weathering. ], crease-resistant, easy-care and biodegradable [biodegradable: ability to decompose in soil ]. It is absorbent and has low warmth.

Exam tip

Make sure that you know the properties and end-uses of fibre blends such as polyester / cotton. You'll get extra marks for being able to a fibre's properties to the product it's used for. For example, Tencel fibre is suitable for denim jeans because it is soft, drapes well and is easy to care for.

Now try a Test Bite