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Natural Fibers: Silk, Cotton, Wool

This document summarizes key information about three natural polymers: silk, cotton, and wool. It describes their composition, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and common uses. Silk is produced by silkworm larvae and has a smooth texture. Cotton is a soft staple fiber that is breathable and durable. Wool is a fibrous protein derived from animal follicles that is durable and naturally flame retardant.

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557 views16 pages

Natural Fibers: Silk, Cotton, Wool

This document summarizes key information about three natural polymers: silk, cotton, and wool. It describes their composition, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and common uses. Silk is produced by silkworm larvae and has a smooth texture. Cotton is a soft staple fiber that is breathable and durable. Wool is a fibrous protein derived from animal follicles that is durable and naturally flame retardant.

Uploaded by

cieda_89
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

NATURAL POLYMERS

SILK
COTTON
WOOL
SILK
Natural Shimmering
protein fibre appearance –
triangular prism

COMPOSITION

Made by larvae
of the mulberry
silkworm
PROCESSING

produced by
the larvae of insects
that complete
metamorphosis

Silk production is
especially common
in the Hymenoptera
Triangular cross
section with
round corners

Smooth, soft Poor conductor


texture, not PHYSICAL of electricity
slippery
PROPERTIES

Strongest
May shrink
natural fibers
Made up of the Interchain H-
amino acid bonds are
Gly-Ser-Gly-Ala formed

Form Beta CHEMICAL High


proportion of
pleated sheets PROPERTIES glycine

Resistance to
Yellowed by
most mineral
Dissolve in perspiration
acids
sulfuric acid
For
upholstery
Commercial
For clothing and industrial
– parachutes

Uses
Bulletproof Materials for
vest write and
paint
Suitable as non-
absorbable
surgical sutures
COTTON
Soft Staple fiber

COMPOSITION

A boll around the


seed s of the
cotton plant
Cool in warm Strong Easy to wash
climates

Breathes PROPERTIES Soft

Fully Creases very


Very durable
renewable easily
Make a Shiny cotton –
textile satin for shirt
product and cloth

USES
Egyptian cotton – Upmarket
extra long staple brands
cotton, favored worldwide
for luxury
WOOL
COMPOSITION

Fibrous protein
Taken from
derived from
animal
follicles
PROCESSING
Scoured or Separated into 5
cleaned first main categories

Latter four are


pressed into wool
pack

Sold Quality of fleeces


is determined
separately
PROPERTIES

DURABILITY : FLAMMEBILITY :
durable and naturally flame
flexible retardant
Covers piano
Clothing
hammers

Absorb odors and


Baby sleep USES noise in heavy
product machine and
stereo speaker

Soil fertilizer Cover cloth


diapers

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