Textile fibres or textile fibers (see spelling differences) can be created from many natural sources (animal hair or fur, 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 consumer protection laws requires that fibre content be provided on content labels. Common textile fibres used in global fashion today include: [1] [2] [3] [4]
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Alpaca | Alpaca | Soft, warmth, lightweight |
| Angora wool | Angora rabbit | Softness, blends well with other fibres |
| Azlon | Synthetic | Soft, silky, hygroscopic, also known as Aralac |
| Byssus | Pinna nobilis | Warmth, lightweight |
| Camel hair | Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties | Softness, warmth |
| Cashmere wool | Indian cashmere goat | Softness |
| Chiengora | Dog | Fluffy, lightweight |
| Lambswool | Sheep | Softness, elasticity, warmth |
| Llama | Llama | Lightweight, insulating |
| Mohair wool | Angora goat | Dyes well, lightweight |
| Qiviut | Muskoxen | Softness, warmth |
| Rabbit | Rabbits | Softness |
| Silk | Silk worm (Bombyx mori) | Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine |
| Eri silk | Silk worm (Samia cynthia) | Smooth, strong fabric finish with high shine |
| Spider silk | Golden Orb-weaver Spider (Nephila inaurata madagascariensis); transgenic silk worm; transgenic yeast | Ultra-strong, golden, smooth fabric finish with high shine |
| Vicuña | Vicuña | Expensive, luxurious, soft |
| Wool | Sheep | Warmth |
| Yak fiber | Wild Yak | Heavy, warmth |
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Abacá | Abaca plant | Thin, lightweight |
| Acetate | Wood Pulp | Lustrous, thermoplastic |
| Bamboo | Grass pulp | Lightweight, pliable fibre |
| Banana | Banana plant pseudostem/leaves | Warm, thick, durable |
| Kapok | Pentandra tree | Fluffy, soft and lightweight |
| Coir | Coconut | Strength, durability |
| Cotton | Shrub | Lightweight, absorbent |
| Flax | Herbaceous plant | Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen |
| Hemp | Cannabis | Strength, durability |
| Jute | Vegetable plant in linden family | Strength, durability |
| Kenaf | Hibiscus cannabinus | Rough |
| Lyocell | Eucalyptus Tree | Soft, lightweight, absorbent |
| Modal | Beech tree | Softness, lightweight |
| Piña | Pineapple leaf | Soft, lightweight |
| Raffia | Raffia palm | Carpet/rough |
| Ramie | Flowering plant in nettle family | Heavy, tough |
| Rayon | Wood Pulp | Soft, lightweight, absorbent |
| Sisal | Agave sisalana | Strength, durability |
| Soy protein | Tofu-manufacturing waste | Wooly, lightweight |
Other plant-based fibers:
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos Cloth | asbestos | Fire-resistance, light weight, carcinogenic |
| Glass, Fibreglass | Mixed silicates | Fire-resistance, futuristic appearance in some Foil, fibres, wire |
| Fibre | Source | Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Petroleum Products | Lightweight, warm, dries quickly |
| Kevlar | Aramids | Very strong |
| Modacrylic | Petroleum Products | Lightweight, warm, dries quickly |
| Nomex | Aramids | Chemical, electrical, and flame resistant |
| Nylon | Petroleum Products | Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly |
| Polyester | Petroleum Products | Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly |
| Spandex | Petroleum Products | Elastic, strong, lightweight |
| Rayon | Regenerated cellulose | Weak when wet |
