What Is Textile: Definition and Meaning

Introduction
Textile is the second basic needs of human being. It has such an important bearing on our daily
lives that everyone needs to know something about them. From earliest times, people have
used textiles of various types for covering, warmth, personal adornment, and even to display
personal wealth. Today textiles are still used for these purposes and everyone is an ultimate
consumer. Though we are not the direct purchaser, we use it in our daily life. As for example, the
buyers buy the product from the manufacturers, then they display in the shopping mall and then
we buy the products to use.

Many industries, such as the auto mobile industry, are important consumers of textiles in
various forms. Some other consumers are homemakers, dressmakers, and interior decorators.
As well as students who are studying for these and various other occupations and professions
in which knowledge of textile is of major importance.

Definition Of Textile
Textile is a fabric (Woven or knitted) made from yarn. Though it is referred to woven fabric, it is
also applied to fibre, yarn, fabric and any other product made from these. It is also associated
with the production of clothing.
It can also be defined as follows –

 Any product manufactured by weaving, knitting or felting.

 Any kind of raw material like fibre or yarn, suitable for weaving.
 Anything is related to fabrics or producing of fabrics.
 The fundamental component of ready made garments.
 A finished piece of cloth used for specific purpose.
 Any kind of material composed of natural or synthetic fibre.

Basic Textile Materials

The basic Textile materials are as follows:

Fibre

Yarn

Grey Fabric

Finished Fabric

End Product
Fibre
The textile industries use many different types of raw materials. Raw materials begin in
agriculture with fibre production of cotton, flax, and other fibrous plants; in husbandry of sheep,
other animals, and silkworms; in mining of metals and minerals.

Yarn
The fibres are processed into yarns. The yarns are made into fabrics for industrial and
consumer uses by various means, such as weaving and knitting.

Grey Fabric
The undyed and unfinished fabric is called grey cloth.

Finished Fabric
Grey fabrics are converted into finished fabrics, which provide particular appearance and
performances.

End Product
Finished fabrics are made into end-use products, including apparel, home furnishings, and
various industrial applications. These products are then merchandise and sold.

Sources and Types

Textiles are made from many materials. The materials can be classified into four groups –
plant, animal, mineral and synthetics.

Plant
The fibres which comes from the plants is called plant fibres. Plant fibres are also called
vegetable fibres. The plant fibres are listed below:

 Cotton
 Linen
 Jute
  Hemp
 Sisal
 Kapok
 Ramie
 Coir
 Pina

Animal
There are several animal fibres, each obtained from different sources, but only two are
recognized as major textile fibres. They are wool and silk. Minor hair fibres are listed below:

 Camel
 Alpaca
 Mohair
 Cashmere
 Rabbit and
 Qiviut

20 Natural Fibres- Which Tops the List?

byOCS Team-December 02, 2021

Textile fibres can be broadly classified into two categories namely natural and artificial
(man-made) fibres. Natural fibres are known to have existed for ages and are still the main
source of all textile articles. The natural fibres are further classified into three categories -
plant fibres, animal fibres and mineral fibres. 

This article presents the top natural fibres according to their features, usefulness, origin,
and production. This post is written by Adita Banerjee.
20. Wood based fibres
Wood fibre may not be used to manufacture garments; however, it is till date the major
source of paper production. It is made up of cellulosic elements.

Property: Wood fibres can also be recycled from used paper materials.

Use: Wood fibres are used to make paper, composites and can be used as a substrate in
hydroponics.
19. Fibre from Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus as a material is known as Tencel or Lyocell. Tencel is a fibre that has gained a
considerable reputation for its biodegradable nature is often used as a synonym to Lyocell.
These fibres are compostable and hypoallergenic in nature.

Property: It has low resistance to mould and fire attacks.

Use: It can be used to make good quality and ethical clothing.

18. Kenaf fibre

It is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant similar to jute. Kenaf fibre obtained from the
plant are extracted from the bast (bark) or core (wood) part. Paper pulp is produced from its
whole stem which is advantageous in terms of environmental conditions.

Property: It has a low density and high specific mechanical properties.

Use: It is used for making ropes, bags, cordage, animal bedding and also for the body of
automobiles.

17. Bamboo fibre

It has the property to regenerate so it requires less attention and can grow pretty much
anywhere that too faster than any other plant. Interestingly, it is known as natural glass fibre
due to the alignment of fibres in the longitudinal directions. It has thicker and stronger
fibres which increase its durability as well as it is naturally antimicrobial, hypoallergenic,
thermal regulating and a good absorbent. It has the potential to compete with the high
variety of cotton. It requires less water, no use of pesticides or herbicides and is harvested at
its base, leaving the root intact.
Property: Bamboo fibre has high strength to weight ratio.

Use: It is used to make bamboo mats, rugs, beddings, saree, etc. and it is an alternative to
plastic that is renewable and can be replenished at a fast rate.

16. Mohair fibre

Mohair fibre is long, lustrous, strong, resilient, and durable. It has good moisture absorption
and has good affinity for dyestuffs but is more sensitive to chemicals.

Property: It has thin scales on the surface which reflects light thus giving it the lustre.

 
Use: It is used to make outerwear, summer-weight suits, and dresses, and mohair fibre is
also used to manufacture knitted goods.

15. Cashmere fibre

Cashmere is referred to as wool derived from cashmere goats, pashmina goats, and similar
breeds. It has a natural crimp, allowing it to be spun into fine, lightweight fabrics. Cashmere
is known as a highly expensive fibre.

Property: Its natural crimp allows it to spun into lightweight fabric.

Use: It is used to make clothing (like the famous Kashmir shawls) and other textile articles.

14. Angora fibre

Angora fibres are very fine and fairly regular in diameter. The diameter of the fibre ranges
from 12 to 14 m and the fibre length is up to 60 mm. Angora rabbit has the softest fibre
among other of its kind. The density of the fibre is 1.14 g/cm3, and hence lighter than wool.

Property: These fibres have good insulation property.

Use: It is used in high-quality knitwear.

13. Sisal fibre

Sisal fibres are obtained from Agave Sisalana, a native of Mexico. It is lustrous and creamy-
white with a diameter of 200-400 microns. Although it has lustre it is unsuitable for textiles
or fabrics due to its course nature. It is strong, durable and stretchable, does not absorb
moisture easily and is resistant to alkali, acid and saltwater. Sisal pulp is also acting as a
substitute for wood fibres in the manufacturing of paper.

Property: Sisal fibre is abrasion resistant.

Use: It has a wide variety of applications starting from twine, ropes, string, yarn (that are
woven into carpets, mats etc.) to being used as reinforcing composites.

12. Ramie fibre

Ramie, a plant-based fibre, is white with a silky lustre and superior in moisture, dispersion,
and absorbency. This property makes it look like silk. Ramie fibres are thick and long (up to
190 cm in length) with better durability. Ramie fibre is composed of 75.6% cellulose with an
irregular polygon-shaped cross-section. There are more than 200 species of Ramie plant
known till date.

Property: Ramie has a good specific strength and specific modulus.

Use: Ramie is considered suitable for shirt material.

11. Pineapple fibre

It is one of the easily cultivable plants which grows over almost every soil. Pineapple grows
in warm and humid climates. Pineapple leaves are multicellular and lingo-cellulosic and
show good mechanical properties. It can easily be blended with other fibres. Heirloom
textiles have used pineapple fabric for home tech, auto mobitech, and geotech.
Property: Pineapple fibre has excellent mechanical, physical and thermal properties.

Use: The treated and surface-modified fibres are used for making conveyor belt cords,
airbag, advanced composites, etc.

10. Abaca fibre

Manila hemp (abaca), sometimes mistaken as banana fibre, is a leaf fibre that has high lignin
content and can easily be seen in the tropics. It is a leaf fibre, composed of long slim cells
with high content of lignin (15%). It is grown only for the cultivation of fibre and not for the
purpose of eating as its fruit is not edible. It has lustre and is light beige in colour.

Property: Abaca fibre has good mechanical strength.

Use: It is used for making paper, ropes, twines, fishing lines and nets, as well as coarse cloth
for sacking.

9. Camel fibre
Camel fibre, another animal-based fibre, is around 20 microns in diameter and varies in
length from 2.5 to 12.5 cm (in the case of finer variety). Camel hairs with a lesser diameter
are softer and expensive. Among the two breeds of camel, the finer is called the Bactrian
Camel.

Property: They are excellent insulators due to a hollow air-filled matrix at the centre of their
cross-section.

Use: Came fibre is used for making high-quality garments such as overcoats, suits, coats,
blazers, jackets, and sweaters.

Related post: Types of Camel Fibres and their End uses

8. Alpaca fibre
Alpaca is also a natural fibre but unlike wool, it has no lanolin which is the cause of a unique
“odour”. It is a soft, durable, luxurious, and silky natural fibre. Alpaca fibre is naturally water-
repellent and fire-resistant. Moreover, it provides excellent insulation. Alpaca blends well
with wool, mohair and silk.

Property: It is hypoallergenic in nature.

Use: It is used for making high-end luxury fabrics and outdoor sports clothing.

7. Coir fibre
Coir fibre is a natural cellulose fibre that is obtained from coconut husk. It has a low
decomposition rate which makes it suitable for making durable geotextiles. However, it is
less flexible than cotton and unsuitable for dyeing. Coir is a material that is widely used to
overcome the problem of erosion. Cocona fabric (a natural fabric enhancer that is made
with activated carbon) is ideal for sportswear and this process reduced the use of
petroleum.

Property: It has strong resistance to saltwater.

Use: Due to its strength and waterproof property it is used to make fishing nets, ropes,
automobile seats etc. Coir is a substitute for wood for making coir ply.

6. Hemp fibre
Mostly confused with flax, hemp is also a bast fibre that occurs in dicotyledonous plants
between the outer bark and the woody central cylinder. It consists of 70% cellulose and a
low level of lignin with a density of 1.47 gm/cm3. Hemp fibre is anti-bacterial in nature
which makes it biodegradable. It is a good conductor of heat, resist mildew, prevents UV
rays and is also dyed easily. It has good insulation properties and is stronger and durable.
Properties: Hemp fibre has excellent mechanical strength and young’s modulus.
Use: It is used in agro textiles, car panels and fibreboard, and "cottonized" for clothing.

5. Wool fibre
Wool is obtained from the fleece of domesticated sheep. Crimp is a unique feature that is
seen in wool structure along with its scaly appearance. The diameter of wool fibre ranges
from 16 to 40 microns with merino wool being the finest of all. Due to its good insulation
property wool fibre has better comfort. In comparison to others, wool has low tenacity,
good elastic recovery and excellent resilience.

Properties: Felting of wool is an irreversible shrinkage of length, breadth, or thickness of

the material. The heat of wetting is also an interesting property of wool fibre.

Use: It is used to make quilts, blankets, craft items etc.

4. Silk fibre
This fibre is associated with a shiny, luxurious feel due to its continuous filament nature. The
protein fibre of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to
form cocoons. It is strong due to its linear, beta-configuration polymers and very crystalline
polymer system. Silk is more plastic in nature than elastic because of its crystalline polymer
system. Silk has a triangular cross-section which is responsible for refracting light. Silk has
been a part of royalty for ages so it is referred to as “queen of textiles”.

Property: Silk, a natural filament fibre, can be dyed easily.

Use: Silk is mainly used for making apparel items and also home décor furnishings.

Also read: Lotus silk fibre

3. Jute fibre
Jute is renowned as “the golden fibre” for its shiny golden colour with a length of 1 to 4 m
and a diameter of 17 to 20 microns however, it has other properties like high aspect ratio
i.e., the ratio of length to the diameter of a fibre, high strength, and low thermal
conductivity. It is a rain-fed crop so it grows without pesticides and sometimes even without
fertilizers. Thus it is 100% biodegradable and hence environmental friendly. It can be
blended with other fibres thus making it versatile.

Property: Jute fibre has good insulation and antistatic property.

Use: It is used in the industrial sector like sacking, packaging, & carpet backing and also for
geotextile.

2. Flax fibre (Linen)

Second to cotton, flax is the most common name in the market. Fabric made of flax is
referred to as linen. It is one of the ancient fibre to be extracted, spun and woven into
textiles. It is made up of polymer of cellulose but what makes it different from cotton is its
crystalline nature. It is stronger and stiffer than cotton. However, it creases easily. It ranges
up to 900mm in length and is slightly less absorbent than cotton.

Property: Flax fibre has better specific tensile strength when compared with glass fibre.

 
Use: It is used to make summer clothes, linseed oil etc.

1. Cotton
Most popular and most commonly grown natural fibre in the world with a total production
of 25 million tonnes every year is cotton. It has four different varieties growing all over the
world with Gossypium hirsutum taking 90% of world production. The length of the cotton
fibre varies from nearly 10mm (short-staple) to 30mm (long staple). It absorbs moisture
readily, which makes cotton clothes comfortable in hot weather, also it has a softer handle.

Property: Cotton fibre is soft, and it has an excellent absorbency properties. Learn more
about cotton fibre properties. 

Use: Cotton is used to make towels, denim jeans, most t-shirts, beddings and also coffee
filters, tents and so on. Check this list to learn more about uses of cotton fibre.

Mineral
Asbestos: Asbestos is a natural fibre obtained from varieties of rock. It is a fibrous form of
silicate of magnesium and calcium, containing iron, aluminium, and other materials. It is acid
proof, rust proof, and flame proof. Consequently it has been used for materials requiring certain
of these characteristics.

Synthetics
These fibres are generated by man. We do not get these fibres from nature but are generated
from natural (cellulose and protein) and chemical substances.  There are several categories of
synthetic fibres: cellulosic, non-cellulosic polymers, protein, rubber, metallic, and mineral.

Uses Of Textile
Textiles have varieties of uses as follows –

 The most common use is as clothing.

 Also used for containers such as bags and baskets.
 Household uses include carpeting, upholstery furnishings, bed coverings, pillow coverings, table
cloths, mat, towels, blankets etc.
 Miscellaneous uses include flags, tents, nets etc.
 Transportation uses such as kites, sales, parachutes etc.
 Technical textiles are used as structures of automobiles, medical textiles are used as gauze,
bandages etc., agro-textiles are used for the protection of crops etc.
 Traditional uses such as sewing, quilting and embroidery.