A fibre is a thin, thread-like strand from which yarn and fabrics (cloth) are made. Fibres are of two main types — natural fibres and synthetic (man-made) fibres. Natural fibres are obtained from plants and animals, such as cotton, jute, wool and silk. Synthetic fibres are made by human beings from chemicals (mostly from petroleum products), such as nylon, polyester and acrylic. This guide explains the types, examples and the difference between natural and synthetic fibres.
A fibre is a thin, thread-like strand used to make yarn and cloth.
Fibres are of two types: natural and synthetic.
Natural fibres come from plants and animals.
Plant fibres: cotton, jute, coir; animal fibres: wool, silk.
Synthetic fibres are man-made from chemicals (petrochemicals).
Common synthetic fibres: nylon, polyester, acrylic and rayon.
Natural fibres are biodegradable; synthetic fibres usually are not.
Natural fibres are obtained from natural sources — plants and animals.
Plant fibres: • Cotton — obtained from the cotton plant (from cotton bolls). • Jute — obtained from the stem of the jute plant. • Coir — obtained from the husk of the coconut. • Flax (linen) — obtained from the flax plant.
Animal fibres: • Wool — obtained from the hair (fleece) of sheep, goats, etc. • Silk — obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm.
Natural fibres are soft, comfortable, absorb sweat and allow air to pass, but they may be less durable and more expensive in some cases.
Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres prepared from chemicals, mostly obtained from petroleum (petrochemicals).
Common synthetic fibres: • Nylon — strong, elastic and shiny; used in ropes, parachutes, socks. • Polyester — strong and wrinkle-resistant; used in clothes (e.g., terylene) and bottles (PET). • Acrylic — soft and warm, looks like wool; used in sweaters and blankets. • Rayon — made from wood pulp (cellulose); called artificial silk (a regenerated fibre).
Synthetic fibres are strong, durable, cheap, dry quickly and do not crease easily, but they may not absorb sweat and can catch fire easily.
Natural Fibres: • Obtained from plants and animals • Examples: cotton, jute, wool, silk • Soft and comfortable to wear • Absorb sweat and allow air to pass • Environment-friendly and biodegradable • May be costlier and less durable
Synthetic Fibres: • Made by humans from chemicals • Examples: nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon • Strong and durable • Usually do not absorb sweat well • Cheaper and dry quickly • Not easily biodegradable and may melt/catch fire on heating
In short, natural fibres come from nature, while synthetic fibres are made by humans from chemicals.
Natural fibres are obtained from natural sources — plants and animals — such as cotton and jute (from plants) and wool and silk (from animals). Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres prepared from chemicals (mostly petrochemicals), such as nylon, polyester and acrylic. So natural fibres come from nature, while synthetic fibres are made by humans.
Examples of natural fibres are: cotton (from the cotton plant), jute (from the jute stem), coir (from coconut husk) and flax/linen — these are plant fibres; and wool (from sheep) and silk (from the silkworm's cocoon) — these are animal fibres.
Examples of synthetic fibres are nylon (strong and elastic, used in ropes and socks), polyester (strong and wrinkle-resistant, used in clothes and PET bottles), acrylic (soft and warm, used in sweaters), and rayon (made from wood pulp, called artificial silk).
Natural fibres come from plants and animals (like cotton, wool and silk), are soft, absorb sweat, and are biodegradable but may be costlier. Synthetic fibres are made by humans from chemicals (like nylon and polyester), are strong, cheap and dry quickly, but usually do not absorb sweat and are not easily biodegradable.
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