CBSE Class 7 Science Fibre to Fabric Worksheets

Different types of clothing are worn and enjoyed by everyone. Some clothes are meant for special occasions and some are seasonal, such as cotton clothes in the summertime to keep us cool, woollen clothes like sweaters, overcoats, shawls during wintertime to keep us warm, and raincoats during the wet seasons. Clothing is prepared from fibres in a variety of ways.

Let’s focus on what exactly fibres are and how they are used in our daily life

Fibres can be defined as thin, long, and flexible threadlike structures consisting of strands of different widths and lengths. Plants and animals are the major sources of fibres. Garnished fibres are spun into yarns and woven into fabric. Generally, a single long fibre can be spun into yarn that can be used for different types of fabrics.

Fibres: Identification and classification

Fibres are categorized as follows:

Natural Fibres

As a term, Natural Fibers refer to fibres derived both from plants and animals naturally. Fibres such as these are obtained by direct extraction from various plants and animals.

Their main characteristics are as follows:

• Yarn can be spun from these fibres to make a fabric.

• These fabrics are comfortable and durable.

• Moreover, they are strong.

• Their ability to absorb moisture is excellent.

• The quality of their appearance and feel is excellent.

A few examples of natural fibres include:

• Plant fibres

• Fibres from animals

• Fibres from minerals

Plant Fibres: Cotton and jute are derived from plant sources. There are different sources of plant fibres, such as bamboo, coconut trees, flax seeds, cannabis Sativa, vegetables, cellulose, straw, nettles, ramie, wool, cereals.

Wool and Silk are examples of animal fibres. Fibres derived from animals are primarily composed of proteins and their protective epidermis. Among the different sources of animal fibres, there are sheep, camel, cashmere, mohair goats, rabbits, yaks, silkworms, and vicunas.

Fibres made out of inorganic materials are known as mineral fibres. Asbestos, for example. Fibres from this family resist fire and acid and are used for industrial purposes.

Fibres made from man-made materials

Humans artificially synthesize these fibres by utilizing simple chemicals in the textile industry to make fabrics from polymers.

Polymers are macromolecules formed by joining and repeating small, repeated subunits. Fibres made of synthetics include rayon and nylon. A number of synthetic fibres are produced as well, such as acrylic, polyester, and acetate.

They can also be classified as:

• Synthetic-regenerated fibres

• or synthetic fibres

• derived from inorganic materials

Fibres regenerated from waste: These fibres are also known as semi-synthetic fibres. Using a chemical process, they are modified to form long-chain polymers that can polymerize into fibres. Such materials include bamboo and viscose rayon.

Fibres made from polymerized monomers are called synthetic fibres. It is converted from a solid polymer to a liquid polymer. Polymers are dissolved or molten and then extruded through narrow holes to produce filaments. Polymers include acrylic, nylon, and polyester.

Fibres that are made of inorganic matter are also called metallic fibres. Copper, silver, gold, as well as nickel, iron, and other metals can be converted into them.

Advantages of Synthetic fibres

The advantages of using synthetic fibres over natural fibres are included below are:

• It is biodegradable to use natural fibres.

• Because they have a low specific weight, they are strong.

• The materials are electrically resistant.

• The materials do not irritate the skin.

• Producing the materials consumes less energy and emits a smaller amount of carbon dioxide.

• Economical.

• The materials are thermally and acoustically efficient.

• Fibres are converted into fabrics through the following steps

• Making cotton involves three steps: Preparation, Spinning, and Weaving, in which the raw fibres are transformed into threads, yarn, and fabric.