Textile Fibre Guide

 

Natural Fibres:

COTTON

PLANT ORIGIN

  • A strong fibre that has good natural durability.
  • Has potential to be affected by mildew.
  • Reasonable sunlight resistance but should be protected with a quality lining.
  • Absorbent fibre: can move with changing humidity levels.
  • When laundering, it may shrink. To reduce this, a certain finishing process can be done on the fabric called sanforising.

 

LINEN

PLANT ORIGIN

  • Affected by acidic pollution.
  • Will deteriorate over time when affected by mildew.
  • Considered as the strongest of the natural fibres.
  • Absorbent fibre: can move with changing humidity levels.
  • Moderate sunlight resistance but should be protected by a quality lining.

 

SILK

ANIMAL ORIGIN

  • Sensitive to UV light degradation: should not be used in direct sunlight or bright light.
  • Absorbent fibre- may move in humid environments.
  • Relatively strong fibre.
  • Of all natural fibres, silk is regarded as the most exclusive.

 

WOOL

ANIMAL ORIGIN

  • Pure wool: unless protected from direct sunlight, not considered suitable for curtains. To reduce this sensitivity, blend wool with synthetic fibres.
  • Can be very durable when used in tightly woven constructions.
  • Can deteriorate when affected by cloth moth larvae, bacteria and mildew.
  • Has natural benefits of being flame retardant, dirt repellent, anti-static and temperature regulating.

 

VISCOSE/RAYON

  • Has potential to be affected by mildew.
  • Luxury finish.
  • Very absorbent fibre: will move with changing humidity levels
  • Should always be lined. Not UV resistant.

 

 

Synthetic Fibres:

ACRYLIC

  • If used for upholstery application, it has good durability and abrasion resistance but pilling can happen.
  • Excellent sunlight resistance
  • Usually not affected by mildew.
  • Not affected by acidic pollution.
  • Strong and stable. Non-absorbent: will move very little in humid conditions.

 

NYLON

  • Usually not affected by mildew.
  • Yarn can weaken when there is long exposure to UV light.
  • Very strong and stable. To improve durability for upholstery, it is often blended with other fibres.

 

POLYESTER

  • Usually very good durability and abrasion resistance.
  • Usually very good UV light resistance.
  • Non-absorbent fibre: will move very little in humid conditions.
  • Not affected by acidic pollution or mildew.
  • Strong and stable.

 

POLYPROPYLENE

  • Most suitable for outdoor application
  • Colour fastness is excellent and excellent resistance to fading.
  • Dries fast.
  • Stain and soil resistance is high.
  • Strong fibre: excellent abrasion resistance.
  • Resistant to fading, mildew and chemicals making it easy to clean.

 

 

Sourcing: All contents are referred from JAMESDUNLOP TEXTILES.COM