Abstract

This survey provides an overview of fiber consumption trends, and of the structure and properties of those fibers that are used in the production of typical apparel, household, and industrial textiles. Both naturally occurring fibers, such as cotton and wool, and synthetic fibers are discussed. The three principal types of fibrous materials (woven, knitted, and nonwoven) are defined and described, as is the relative importance of various geometric, physical, and chemical properties of fibers. Particular attention is given to mechanical properties, since fibers can be viewed as elements of construction from which complex three-dimensional structures are manufactured. Finally, this survey provides an overview of the important molecular and macromolecular characteristics of those polymers that are fiber forming. These considerations extend to natural vegetable fibers, where the principal polymer is cellulose, and to fabricated fibers based either on modification of cellulose or on synthetic polymers, among which polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, and polyacrylonitrile are the most important.