What are Natural Fibres?
Clothes are necessary for all human beings; without clothes, it would be difficult for humans to survive in the modern world. Have you ever wondered how clothes are made and which material is used? The clothes we wear are made up of fibres. Fibres are the thread-like structure which is thin, flexible strands used for various methods like cosmetics production, cloth making, medicines, paper manufacturing etc.
Based on the origin of the fibres, they are classified into two types. The two types of fibres are natural fibres and man-made fibres. Natural fibres are the fibres obtained from animal and plant sources. Man-made fibres are manufactured by industries. Man-made fibres are also known as synthetic fibres. Natural fibres are defined as thread-like raw materials extracted directly from plants and animal sources that are converted to nonwoven fabrics than woven cloths.
Types of Natural Fibres
There are two types of natural fibres that are discussed below.
Plant Fibre: Plants fibres are obtained from various parts of plants like leaves, wood, fruits, flowers, stems etc.
Animal Fibre: Animal fibres are extracted from animals like silk, wool, etc.
Examples of Natural Fibres
The natural fibres names are given below.
Wood: From wood, we get softwood and hardwood
Stem/Bast: From stem, we get flax, jute, hemp, kenaf, and ramie
Leaf: From leaf, we get sisal, abaca, pineapple, banana, palm, fique, henequen
Seed/Fruit: From seed, we get cotton, coconut
Grass: From grass, we get bamboo, rice
Animals: From animals, we get wool, silk, angora, mohair etc.
Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Fibres
As discussed above, there are two types of fibres. They are natural fibres and synthetic fibres. The difference between both the fibres is summarised in the below table:
Uses of Natural Fibres
Natural fibres list along with their uses are discussed below.
Cotton: Cotton is usually grown in black soil and a ward climate with moderate rainfall. The cotton plant is the type of shrub where cotton grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. Cotton is used in various textile products.
Jute: Jute fibre is extracted from the bark of the jute plant. It is grown in loamy soil and rainy region. 80% of jute is grown in Bangladesh, and the rest is obtained from India, Nepal, China, and Thailand. Jute is used in making sacks, coarse cloth, wrapping raw cotton bales, etc.
Coir: Coir is a type of plant fibre obtained from the outer cover of coconut. To obtain coir, coconuts are kept in water for a few months. The out covering or husk is separated from the nut and beaten to obtain the fibre with the help of wooden mallets. The fibre is then spun, dyed and weaved. Coir is used to make various household products like rope for stuffing pillows and mattresses.
Silk cotton: Silk cotton is plant fibre in the silk cotton tree called kapok. The fruits contain light and fluffy fibre. When the fruit ripens, the fruits burst to give fibre. It is used in stuffing life jackets and sleeping bags.
Hemp: Hemp is another type of plant fibre obtained from the stem of the hemp plant. It is used in making ropes, nets, cloths, paper, etc.
Flax: It is a fibre which is obtained from the stem of the flax plant. Flax is woven to make linen (fabric). It is used to make high-quality paper.
Silk: Silk is a type of animal fibre obtained from the mulberry silkworm. It is used in making clothes.
Wool: Wool is a type of animal fibre obtained from horse hair, lamp wool, and goat hair. It is used in making jackets, clothes, blankets, etc.
Conclusion
Fibres are usually of two types: natural fibre and synthetic fibre. Both fibres are different from each other on the basis of their origin. Natural fibres are obtained naturally from plants, animals and minerals. These are pure fibres that are extracted and weaved to form cloths, bags, jackets, paper, etc. Fibres are used in various industries like textile, medicines, construction etc. Synthetic fibres are man-made fibre which is prepared according to the needs of industries. We can also learn more from journals of natural fibres.
Key Features of Natural Fibres
Natural fibres are naturally occurring hair-like strands obtained from plant stems, leaves, branches, fruit, and animals used for manufacturing various items like cloths, rope, blankets, paper etc.
Some examples of natural fibres obtained from plants are jute, cotton, flax, and coir.
Some examples of natural fibres obtained from animals are wool, silk, etc.
FAQs on Natural Fibres
1. What are natural fibres and where do they come from?
Natural fibres are thin, thread-like strands obtained directly from natural sources. They are broadly classified based on their origin:
- Plant fibres: These are derived from various parts of plants, such as cotton from seeds, jute from the stem, and coir from coconut husks.
- Animal fibres: These are sourced from animals, like wool from sheep and goats, and silk from silkworms.
2. What are five common examples of natural fibres and their uses?
Five common natural fibres used in our daily lives include:
- Cotton: Used for making soft and breathable clothing like t-shirts and bedsheets.
- Jute: A strong fibre used for making sacks, bags, and ropes.
- Silk: A lustrous fibre used for making sarees, scarves, and other fine garments.
- Wool: An insulating fibre used for making sweaters, blankets, and carpets.
- Coir: A coarse fibre from coconut husks, used to make doormats, ropes, and stuffing for mattresses.
3. What is the main difference between natural and synthetic fibres?
The main difference lies in their origin. Natural fibres are harvested from plant and animal sources, making them biodegradable and eco-friendly. In contrast, synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon are man-made through chemical processes in factories and are generally not biodegradable.
4. Why is cotton considered an ideal natural fibre for summer clothing?
Cotton is ideal for summer because of its unique properties. It is highly absorbent, meaning it can soak up sweat, and it is very breathable, allowing air to circulate and keep the body cool. Its soft texture also makes it very comfortable to wear in hot and humid weather.
5. How are fibres obtained from a jute plant to make ropes and sacks?
The process of extracting jute fibre from the plant stem is called retting. After harvesting, the jute stems are bundled together and soaked in water for several days. This softens the tissues and allows the fibres to be easily separated from the woody stalk by hand, a process known as stripping. These fibres are then dried and spun into yarn.
6. Why might someone choose a natural fibre like wool over a synthetic one for a winter coat?
Wool is often preferred for winter coats due to its superior insulation. The crimped structure of wool fibres traps a lot of air, which acts as a barrier against the cold. Unlike many synthetics, wool can also absorb moisture vapour (like sweat) without feeling wet, keeping you warm and dry. Additionally, wool is a renewable and biodegradable resource.
7. What are the two main categories of natural fibres based on their source?
Natural fibres are primarily divided into two categories based on their source:
- Plant Fibres: These originate from plants. Examples include cotton (from the fruit), jute and flax (from the stem), and sisal (from the leaves).
- Animal Fibres: These are obtained from animals. The most common examples are wool (from the fleece of sheep) and silk (from the cocoon of the silkworm).
