Natural and synthetic fibres

This is a winter sweater that Grandma Ellen has knitted for Lina. The fabric of the sweater is made up of loops of a long thread — yarn. And if you look more closely, you’ll notice that the yarn itself is made up of thin, hair-like strands twisted together. These are fibres. Any type of material that comes in long, thin, flexible strips can be described as a fibre.

There are different types of fibres, and we usually group them based on their origin. Here we have some cotton, hemp, flax, sisal and coconut fibres. They all come from plants, so we call them plant fibres. They look quite different, but they are all made up of simple sugar molecules arranged into long strings – cellulose. Plant fibres are used to make everything from clothes and fabrics, to ropes, and even paper.

Plant fibres are one kind of natural fibre. Natural fibres are normally produced by cells of living organisms, such as plants or animals, or in natural processes such as rock formation. So, plant fibres are not the only kind of natural fibre — there are other natural fibres, too. Like the yarn that Grandma Ellen is using! That is an example of an animal fibre.

Animal fibres are made up of proteins produced by certain animal species. Grandma Ellen’s yarn is made of fibres that come from sheep’s wool. Other animal fibres include silk, produced by silkworms, and the hair or fur from animals, such as Angora rabbits and Angora goats. Animal fibres are most often used to produce fabric and clothing. There is one more kind of natural fibre: mineral fibres.

These are made of certain minerals that occur naturally as fibrous crystals. One kind of mineral fibre is asbestos. In the past, asbestos was used in construction and for fireproofing. But then it was discovered that asbestos can be harmful to human health, so the mining and use of asbestos has been banned in many places. What about this sweater, here?

Is this made from natural fibres? Actually, this sweater is made from polyester. Polyester is a type of fibre invented and manufactured by humans. Fibres made by humans are called synthetic fibres. Synthetic fibres are made using raw materials that come from chemicals, such as petroleum, or from natural sources that have been modified.

These raw materials are often changed to a large extent, to achieve desired properties. Synthetic fibres can often be made stronger and more durable than natural fibres. Take nylon, for example, another synthetic fibre. Invented in the 1900s, nylon has been used to make stockings ever since, because fabric made of nylon fibres is strong and stretchy. But synthetic fibres are used for much more than just clothing.

Carpets, furniture, parachutes, insulation and building materials, and even telecommunication, just to name a few. Fibres can even be combined with other materials, to make composite materials, such as carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics. These can be used to manufacture sports equipment, musical instruments, even parts of aeroplanes or cars, and more! To sum up, fibre is any material that comes in long, thin, hair-like strands. Fibres can be grouped into two categories: natural fibres, which come from plants, animals or mineral sources; and synthetic fibres that are made by humans.

Materials made of fibres have many applications in various industries, and are an important part of our everyday life.