Fibers & Filaments Explained

26 Aug.,2024

 

Fibers & Filaments Explained

Virgin versus recycled

When fibers or filaments are produced for the first time, this is called virgin. So, the first time that a textile is made for example from cotton (harvested from the cotton plant) or wool (from the sheep) or polyester from oil.

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Recently, they can also  be made via a recycling processes, as a second life. Recycling of textile is done via a mechanical or a chemical process. With mechanical recycling, textile waste is shredded into fibers, that can be re-used for spinning. This can be done with any kind of fiber; however, the quality of the recycled textiles will be reduced as the fiber length gets shorter and shorter each time you recycle. With chemical recycling, textile waste is dissolved into a chemical solution. From this solution, filaments are drawn, in the same way as this is done for man-made fibres and filaments. Chemical recycling is not (yet) possible for all textile materials, but a great advantage of chemical recycling is that the quality of the fibers does not decrease as the length of the recycled fibers is determined in the production process.

Textile recycling is an option to make the world more sustainable. SaXcell is an abbreviation of Saxion cellulose and an example of chemically recycled textiles, made from domestic cotton waste. The animation below explains the recycling process.

Filament Yarn and Staple Fiber: Characteristics and Uses

Filament yarn and staple fiber are two different types of fibers used in textile production.

 

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Filament yarn is made from long, continuous strands of fiber that are twisted together to form a yarn. These fibers are usually made from materials such as nylon, polyester, or silk and they can be used to make a wide range of fabrics, including sheer fabrics, silky fabrics, and strong, durable fabrics. Filament yarn is known for its smoothness, strength, and ability to hold its shape well.

Staple fiber, on the other hand, is made from short fibers that are about 1-4 inches long. These fibers are usually made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, or flax. They are spun together to form a yarn, and the yarn can then be woven or knitted into fabrics. Staple fiber fabrics are known for their softness, warmth, and absorbency. They are also less expensive than filament yarn fabrics.

Another key difference between the two is the way they are processed. Filament yarn is typically produced through a process called spinning, which involves drawing out and twisting the fibers together. Staple fiber, on the other hand, is typically produced through a process called carding, which involves separating and aligning the fibers in preparation for spinning.

In summary, Filament yarns are smooth, strong and hold shape well, staple fibers are soft, warm, absorbent and less expensive.

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