INTERNATIONAL STANDARD GUIDE Textile Fiber Properties

TEX-1999 Addopted-1999 Standards-2000 Revised-0000 Revised-0000

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1.00  Wool Fibers--Wool refers to the fibers from sheep, goats, camels, oxen and fur-bearing animals. Wool fibers are composed of a protein polymer called keratin.

2.00  Silk Fibers--Silk is a fine, strong, continuous filament produced by the larva of certain in insects, especially the silkworm, when constructing their cocoons. It is a natural protein fiber composed of fibroin.

3.00  Cotton Fibers--Cotton fiber is 100% cellulose; its polymers form a highly crystalline structure with numerous strong hydrogen bonds. It contains no lignin.

5.00  Bast Fibers--specialty cellulosic fibers obtained from plant stems, bast fibers, comprise the most important group of specialty cellulosic fibers, and of these, flax is probably the best known. Other specialty cellulosic fibers are obtained from plant leaves and plant seed pods.

6.00  Flax fibers--a natural, cellulosic, multicellular fiber obtained from the inner bark of the stem of a plant grown in temperate and subtropical regions of the world. The term "linen" describes fabric composed of flax fibers. Flax is a stronger fiber than cotton, but has lower flexibility than cotton fibers. Flax has the highest heat resistance of all commonly used textile fibers. It does not decompose until -302 F (150 Q, and prolonged exposure at this temperature is necessary for degradation to begin. Flax fiber is slightly more resistant to rotting and weathering than cotton fiber, and dry flax is highly resistant to mildew. Under conditions of warm temperatures, dampness, and contamination, mildew will attack flax fiber.