Our first podcast focuses on the properties of fibers that make the textiles we make out of these fibers behave in different ways.
We can categorize fibers using various features, including physical structures (morphology) that we can easily see under a microscope.
Performance properties such as comfort as actually a dimension of performance made up of several properties, including absorbency.
Fiber crimp deserves its own podcast because it is so cool! This 3D physical property influences lots of things like resiliency, bulk and luster.
While the surface morphology of fibers is an important influence on properties like luster and hand, it is the internal, chemical structure of the polymers that make up the fibers that has the greatest influence on properties like strength and absorbency.
We wrap up our discussion of the internal morphology of fibers, focusing on polymer properties, by considering what the arrangement of polymers into crystalline structures can do for strength, or how cross-linking agents can improve resiliency.
This double length episode of the podcast introduces our first natural fiber, protein fibers, and explains some of the great properties of these fibers, going deep on moisture and moisture regain.
This double length episode of the podcast focuses completely on wool, my favorite fiber.
The specialty hair fibers include mohair, cashmere and camel, just to name a few.
Silk is another important protein fiber that has a totally different history and set of properties, despite also being made from polymers of amino acids.
The minor cellulosic fibers include Hemp, Kenaf, Coir and Abaca. Isn’t this fun?
Manufacturing fibers involved either using naturally occurring polymers or synthesizing polymers in the laboratory.
We can modify manufactured fibers by adding compounds to the “dope”, we can change their size and cross section, we can add a crimp.
The regenerated fibers are “manually” made. Manufacturing fibers from naturally concurring polymers, such as cellulose, is a major accomplishment of the 20th century.
The late 10th century brought an eco-friendly player to the regenerated fiber scene, the generic name for this innovated fiber is lyocell. Oh, we also talk about Acetate, a modified cellulose regenerated fiber.
The first synthetic fiber was nylon followed by polyester, both inveted by scientists at Dupont.
The Olefin polymer family goes by many other names, but Acrylic is famous for just being itself, and for being our nails!