Textiles

• Cotton (plant)


  • Highly absorbent so is comfortable to wear
  • Strong and durable
  • Easy to care for but can shrink and has poor elasticity so creases
• Linen (plant)

  • Highly absorbent and cool to wear
  • Very strong and durable
  • Poor elasticity so creases easily
• Hemp (plant)

  • Absorbent
  • Strong
  • Naturally antibacterial
• Jute (plant)


  • Absorbent and very strong but coarse
• Wool (animal)

  • Absorbent with good insulating properties due to the fibre's natural crimp (curl)
  • Has good elasticity so doesn't crease much
  • Relatively strong but can shrink on washing
• Silk (insect)

  • Drapes well and has good lustre (sheen)
  • Absorbent but difficult to wash and creases
• Acrylic


  Like all synthetic fibres, has good strength with good elastic properties so doesn't crease, has poor absorbency but can be a good insulator if crimp is added to replicate wool fibres
• Acrylic


  • Jumpers and other knitted clothing that looks like wool, fake fur jackets
• Polyester


  Hardwearing with good tensile strength, good elasticity but poor absorbency, a highly versatile fibre
• Polyester


  • Clothing and sportswear
• Nylon (polyamide)


  A hardwearing fibre with good tensile strength, has good elasticity so doesn't crease and is resistant to chemicals, not absorbent and melts easily
• Nylon (polyamide)


  • Parachutes, tents, rucksacks, sports clothing, rope and carpets
• Elastane

  Highly elastic and stretchy, strong and hardwearing
• Elastane


  • Clothing such as leotards, swimming costumes and gym clothing, mixed with cotton in T-shirts for a better fit
• Synthetic fibres


  Made mainly from non-renewable coal and oil refined into monomers, which join together in a process called polymerisation
• Synthetic fibres


  • They do not degrade easily
  • They can be made into any length (continuous filament) and thickness and for any purpose
• Natural fibres


  Come from plants, animals or insects
• Natural fibres


  • They are easily renewable
  • They are biodegradable