Materials, components and their potential application

• The main function of the weft yarn is to hold the warp threads together.
• Cotton is made from cotton plants. Cotton is breathable but can crease easily. It is most commonly used in clothing and commonly blended with polyester. Some cotton fabrics are: calico, corduroy, denim, flannel, gingham, jersey, poplin, satin, twill, and velvet.
• One disadvantage of cotton is that is has a big negative impact on the environment. cotton uses a high amount of pesticides which can be harmful to the environment through global warming. The use of pesticides also causes harm to manual workers who farm the cotton and disrupts the living eco-systems within the area. Additionally, cotton uses large amounts of water which is obtained from nearby bodies of water.
• Wool comes from sheep. Wool is warm and durable. It is often mixed with other fibres such as silk or nylon. Some wool fabrics include tweed, felt, gabardine, serge, and worsted.
• Linen is made from the stem of the flax plant. Linen is strong, cool and lightweight but It wrinkles easily. linen can be used for shirts and trousers. Linen is more expensive than cotton because it takes longer to grow and produce. Some linen fabrics include damask, hopsack, and tabby.
• Silk is produced by silkworms. Silk is smooth and shiny. It is expensive due to its production process. Silk is delicate so it needs careful handling when washing. Some silk fabrics include chiffon, georgette, organza, taffeta, and shantung
• Rayon is made from wood pulp. Rayon is soft and drapes well. It is cheap and easy to dye. However, rayon is not very durable and shrinks when washed at too hot temperatures.
• Polyester is made from crude oil. Polyester is synthetic and therefore does not have any natural properties. It is strong, durable, and resists shrinking. It is often used in bedding and upholstery fabric. Some polyester fabrics include fleece, terry towelling, and tarpaulins.
• Rayon is made from wood pulp. Rayon is soft and drapes well. It is cheaper than silk but not as cheap as cotton. Some rayon fabrics include charmeuse, challis, and crepe de Chine.
• Jute is made from the stem of the Jute plant, which is a type of grass. it is stronger than most natural fibres. Jute is most commonly used for canvases. Some positives of jute is that it uses very little fertiliser, it only needs 1/3 of the water that cotton needs and doesn't need pesticides
• camel

  softer and finer under-fur, courser outer protective fur, used for; coats, rope and outer-garments.
• goats

  mohair: angora goats ; cashmere: cashmere goats, high lustre and fine fibres but weak. most commonly used for clothes.
• alpaca

  soft; durable, warmer than wool, warmth and luxury. used for warmer winter wear.
• rabbit


  warmer and lighter than wool, soft & silky. used for high quality winter wear.
• Viscose: made from the cellulose of wood pulp. some properties of viscose are; high strength, very absorbent, provides a soft and silky appearance, doesn't shrink, good at regaining moisture (absorbes 14% water vapour) etc. Some of its uses are ladies garments, mens wear, sari's, suits, wet-wipes and napkins.
• Acetate: made from wood pulp and acetic acids. Some of its properties are; low absorbency, drapes nicely, fast drying, silky (crushed silk). Acetate can used for sunglasses, dresses, skirts, blouses and jacket linings.
• Lyocell: is made form the breaking down of wood pulp of hard wood trees and made into a cellulose fibre through spinerets. Some of its properties are; soft, strong, absorbent, cheaper substitute for silk but it is not hypoallergenic and doesn't dye well. Lyocell can be used for conveyor belts, medical dressings, filtration materials and some clothing.
• Polyester in made from petrochemicals that are derived from oils. Some properties of polyester are: its not absorbent, prone to static, good elasticity, lightweight, hydrophobic, and strong. Polyester can be used for; clothing, (mixed a lot with cotton), sleeping bags, and sometimes swim wear.
• NYLON: is made form polyamide. some of it properties are; strong, resilient, excellent abrasion and tear resistance, high extensibility and is a thermoplastic. Nylon can be used for; clothing, swim-wear, tents, tires and seatbelts
• ELASTANE (lycra): made form petrochemicals and is a continuous filament fibre. the centre fibre is covered in another yarn. Some of its properties include; high extensibility, can be stretched repeatably and return to its original state. It is resistant to to deterioration from body oils, perspirants, detergents and lotion.
• Acrylic: Made form petrochemicals. It is a thermoplastic. Its properties include; Wool like handle trapping air (insulation), good strength, fast drying, crease resistant and good drape but its prone to static and low absorbency. Acrylic can be used for: clothing
• Aramid fibres: are synthetic fibres derived form petrochemicals. 5x stronger than nylon. Its properties include; resistance to abrasion (durable), heat and flame resistant with no melting point. Aramid fibres are most commonly used for: Protective clothing -kevlar and Nomex, F1 suits, fire-fighter suits, bullet proof vests and cut resistant gloves.
• Rubber: made from rubber tree (latex). Its properties include: natural strength, antistatic, antibacterial, non-stick, no-toxic. But it is sensitive to light, oils, solvents and grease. Rubber can be used for: wellies, tyres, floors, work gloves and sometimes garments.
• Metal: Aluminium, copper, steel, gold and silver. Properties: strong, lightweight, abrasion resistant, conductive, provides multi-static properties and protection for sports. Metal can be used for: Decorative textiles, active sportswear, work wear, protective industrial clothing, medical end uses.
• Glass: Made from powdered components of mineral origin. Properties: Durable strong, shatterproof, heat and cold resistant, doesn't soften or become brittle, good electrical properties but it has poor abrasion resistance and can be easily scratched
• Tactel (microfibre): made from modified polyamide fibres. It is a thermo regulating fabric. Properties: soft, lightweight, quick drying and durable. Tactel is most commonly used for: Aquator- wicks away moisture, used in underwear and sports wear, and Diablo-lustrous fabric, used for hosiers and lingerie items.
• Tencel: Made form Gum trees. Properties: Stronger than cotton, esy care, low shrinkage, durable, luxurious, practical, absorbent, breathable, totally biodegradable and can be recycled. Uses: Denim, Underwear, Activewear.