Fibre Classification

Fibre Classification

Fibres are long thin thread-like structures which can be spun into yarns and made into fabrics.fiber class They can be divided into two groups on the basis of their origin, natural fibres and synthetic fibres. Natural fibres are obtained from plants and animals while synthetic ones are man-made. They can also be classified into categories based on their physical and chemical properties, such as staple fibres, filament fibres and cellulosic fibres. Some fibres may fit into more than one category, for example cotton is a cellulosic fibre and a bast fibre, while silk is a protein fibre.

There are also several types of glass fibers, with E-glass and high-strength (HS)-glass being the leading commercially available options.fiber class These have compositions ranging from pure silica to those with alkali resistance, corrosion resistance and other desired properties. They are produced as chopped strands, direct draw rovings or assembled rovings and used in the injection molding, filament winding, pultrusion and hand layup processes to form fibre-reinforced composites.

Carbon fibers are extremely strong and stiff, with a high specific modulus.fiber class They are often used as reinforcements in polymers, metals and ceramics and exhibit good strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to fatigue, creep and corrosive environments.

They have a relatively high cost, but are extremely durable and have an excellent ability to withstand impact.fiber class They are also non-conductive, transparent to electromagnetic radiation and can be molded into complex shapes.

Mineral fibres are a group of inorganic materials shaped into fibres through the application of heat and pressure.fiber class They are generally used in applications requiring high levels of resistance to corrosion, wear and fire. They are also commonly used in electrical insulation and fire retardant textiles.

Optical fibres consist of a solid dielectric core surrounded by a cladding layer with a lower refractive index.fiber class They can be categorized into single-mode and multimode fibres, according to the number of modes of optical propagation they sustain.

The most common polymeric fibres are aramids, which have a rigid molecular structure and high mechanical properties. They are used to reinforce polymers and cement, and as ballistic protection.

Other fibres include polyester, acrylic and spandex which are manufactured from petroleum-based products. They are cheap to produce, strong and have a high resilience to shrinking and wrinkling, but are not as flexible or breathable as natural fibres.

Finally, there are also metallic fibres which are made from metals such as aluminium and nickel. These are not as strong or as stiff as carbon fibre, but they are cheaper to produce and have good abrasion resistance. They are also non-conductive and are used in the manufacture of aircraft, automobiles and piping.