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Textile fibres can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, insect cocoons as with silk worm cocoons), as well as semisynthetic methods that use naturally-occurring polymers, and synthetic methods that use polymer-based materials, and even minerals such as metals to make foils and wires. The textile industry requires that fibre content be provided on content labels. These labels are used to test textiles under different conditions to meet safety standards (for example, for flame-resistance), and to determine whether or not a textile is machine washable or must be dry-cleaned. Common textile fibres used in global fashion today include:[ 1] [ 2] [ 3]
Animal-based fibres
Fibre
Source
Attribute
Byssus
Pinna nobilis
Warmth, lightweight
Chiengora
Dog
Fluffy, lightweight
Qiviut
Muskoxen
Softness, warmth
Yak
Yak
Heavy, warmth
Rabbit
Rabbits
Softness
Wool
Sheep
Warmth
Lambswool
Lambs
Softness, elasticity, warmth
Cashmere wool
Indian cashmere goat
Softness
Mohair wool
North African angora goat
Dyes well, lightweight
Camel hair
Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties
Softness, warmth
Angora wool
Angora rabbit
Softness, blends well with other fibres
Silk
Silk worm
Smooth fabric finish with high shine
Alpaca
Alpaca
Soft, warmth, lightweight
Llama
Llama
Lightweight, insulating
Vicuna
Vicuna
Expensive, luxurious, soft
Aralac
Milk
Soft, silky, hygroscopic
Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibres)
Fibre
Source
Attribute
Abacá
Abaca plant
Thin, lightweight
Coir
Coconut
Strength, durability
Cotton
Shrub
Lightweight, absorbent
Flax
Herbaceous plant
Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen
Jute
Vegetable plant in linden family
Strength, durability
Kapok
Pentandra tree
Fluffy
Kenaf
Hibiscus cannabinus
Rough
Raffia
Raffia palm
Carpet/rough
Bamboo
Grass pulp
Lightweight, pliable fibre
Hemp
Cannabis
Strength, durability
Modal
Beech tree
Softness, lightweight
Piña
Pineapple leaf
Soft, lightweight
Ramie
Flowering plant in nettle family
Heavy, tough
Sisal
Agave sisalana
Strength, durability
Soy protein
Tofu-manufacturing waste
Wooly, lightweight
Rayon
Wood Pulp
Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Lyocell
Eucalyptus Tree
Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Acetate
Wood Pulp
Lustrous, thermoplastic
Mineral-based fibres
Synthetic fibres
Fibre
Source
Attribute
Nylon
Petroleum Products
Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly
Polyester
Petroleum Products
Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly
Spandex
Petroleum Products
Elastic, strong, lightweight
Acrylic
Petroleum Products
Lightweight, warm, dries quickly
Modacrylic
Petroleum Products
Lightweight, warm, dries quickly
Kevlar
Aramids
Very strong
Nomex
Aramids
Chemical, electrical, and flame resistant
See also
References