Textiles

Using these general rules will help you answer most questions relating to Natural and Manmade fibres:

• Natural fibres tend to be environmentally friendly as they are made from animals, plants and insects
• Natural fibres are biodegradeable
• Manmade fibres can be made in any length or thickness
• Manmade fibres are made from coal and oil making them non-renewable and harmful for the environment

Cotton:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Hard wearing Easy to upkeep Versatile Breathable	Creases easily Absorbent (long dry time) Highly flammable

Uses: Curtains, cushions, clothing, knitting yarns

Linen:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Strong Comfortable Dyes and prints well Durable Withstands heat	Creases easily Shrinks Can be expensive

Uses: Tea towels, bed sheets, table cloth, clothes

Wool:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Warm Lightweight Crease resistant Dyes well Recyclable	Shrinks with heat/moisture Needs special treatment (dry cleaning) Weakens when wet

Uses: Tea towels, bed sheets, table cloth, clothes

Nylon:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Tough Strong High temperature resistance Good solvent resistance	Shrinks easily Prone to UV degradation Moisture leads to weakness of material

Uses: Clothing, cookware, plastic components

Polypropylene fibres:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Mixes with materials to improve strength (e.g. concrete) Heat resistant No static electricity created unlike some textiles Can be stretched without defromation	Prone to UV degradation

Uses: Used in concrete for added strength, carpets, carpet backing, gloves

Polyester fibres:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Strong Flexible Dries quickly Cheap Easy to dye	Not very breathable Temperature sensitive Subject to dye migration

Uses: Conveyor belts, safety belts, car tire reinforcement

Flame resistant:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Resistant to fire/heat Can withstand high temperatures	Can be toxic Can emit harmful chemicals

Uses: Clothing, cladding, padding

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE):

Advantages	Disadvantages
Electrical insulator Chemically resistant Non-stick Flexible	Not very durable Toxic fumes can be emitted when overheated

Uses: Coatings for cooking pans, reduce friction on cutting tools

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