Fiber Chart

Manufactured Fibers
It is important to understand that all manufactured fibers are not alike. Each fiber has a unique composition
and it's own set of physical properties. The U. S. Federal Trade Commission has established generic names
and definitions for manufactured fibers, including acetate, acrylic, lyocell, modacrylic, nylon, polyester,
polypropylene (olefin), rayon, and spandex. All fibers under a generic name are not exactly the same.

Any trademarks involving natural fibers are generally held by the processor or mill, rather than the
producer/grower.

Fiber producers have been able to modify the basic composition of each generic fiber, both chemically and
physically, to produce variations which provide a softer feel, greater comfort, brighter/longer lasting colors,
better warmth/cooling, moisture transport/wicking, and better properties for blending with other fibers. These
improved fibers are given a trademark name and are owned and promoted by the fiber producer. The
following is a list of producers of manufactured fibers and their trademark names.

The following table contains the the list of manufactured fibers, their trademarks, characteristics and uses.

Major Generic
Characteristics Major Domestic and Industrial Uses
Fibers
ACETATE • Luxurious feel and Apparel: Blouses, dresses, and foundation garments.
appearance lingerie, linings, shirts, slacks, sportswear. Fabrics:
• Wide range of colors Brocade, crepe, double knits, faille, knitted jerseys, lace,
and lusters satin, taffeta, tricot. Home Furnishings: Draperies,
• Excellent drapability upholstery. Other: Cigarette filters, fiberfill for pillows,
and softness quilted products
• Relatively fast-drying

• Shrink-, moth-, and

mildew-resistant
ACRYLIC • Soft and warm Apparel: Dresses, infant wear, knitted garments, ski wear,
• Wool-like socks, sportswear, sweaters. Fabrics: Fleece and pile
• Retains shape fabrics, face fabrics in bonded fabrics, simulated furs.,
• Resilient jerseys. Home Furnishings: Blankets. carpets, draperies,
• Quick-drying upholstery. Other: Auto tops, awnings, hand-knitting and
craft yarns, industrial and geotextile fabrics.
• Resistant to moths,
sunlight, oil and
chemicals
ARAMID • Does not melt Hot-gas filtration fabrics, protective clothing, military
• Highly flame- helmets, protective vests, structural composites for
resistant aircraft and boats, sailcloth, tires, ropes and cables,
• High strength mechanical rubber goods, marine and sporting goods.
• High resistance to
 stretch

• Maintains its shape

and form at high
temperatures
BICOMPONENT • Thermal bonding Uniform distribution of adhesive, Fiber remains a part of
• Self bulking structure and adds integrity, Customized sheath materials
• Very fine fibers to bond various materials, Wide range of bonding
• Unique cross temperatures, Cleaner, environmentally friendly (no
sections effluent), Recyclable, Lamination / molding / densification
of composites.
• The functionality of
special polymers or
additives at reduced
cost
• Soft, strong,
absorbent
• Good dyeability

LYOCELL Dresses, slacks and coats.

• Fibrillates during wet
processing to
produce special
textures
MELAMINE • White and dyeable Fire Blocking Fabrics: Aircraft seating, fire blockers for
• Flame resistance upholstered furniture in high-risk occupancies (e.g., to
and low thermal meet California TB 133 requirements) Protective
conductivity Clothing: Firefighters' turnout gear, insulating thermal
• High heat liners, knit hoods, molten metal splash apparel, heat
dimensional stability resistant gloves. Filter Media: High capacity, high
efficiency, high temperature baghouse air filters.
• Processable on
standard textile
equipment
MODACRYLIC • Soft Apparel: Deep pile coats, trims, linings, simulated fur,
• Resilient wigs and hairpieces. Fabrics: Fleece fabrics, industrial
• Abrasion- and flame- fabrics, knit-pile fabric backings, non-woven fabrics.
resistant Home Furnishings: Awnings, blankets. Carpets, flame-
• Quick-drying resistant draperies and curtains, scatter rugs. Other:
• Resists acids and Filters, paint rollers, stuffed toys.
alkalies

• Retains shape

NYLON • Exceptionally strong Apparel: Blouses, dresses, foundation garments, hosiery,

• Supple lingerie and underwear, raincoats, ski and snow apparel,
• Abrasion-resistant suits, windbreakers. Home Furnishings: Bedspreads,
 • Lustrous carpets, draperies, curtains, upholstery. Other: Air hoses,
• Easy to wash conveyor and seat belts, parachutes, racket strings,
• Resists damage from ropes and nets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, tents, thread,
oil and many tire cord, geotextiles.
chemicals
• Resilient

• Low in moisture
absorbency
OLEFIN • Unique wicking Apparel: Pantyhose, underwear, knitted sports
properties that make shirts, men's half hose, men's knitted sportswear,
it very comfortable sweaters. Home Furnishings: Carpet and carpet
• Abrasion-resistant backing, slipcovers, upholstery. Other: Dye nets, filter
• Quick-drying fabrics, laundry and sandbags, geotextiles, automotive
• Resistant to interiors, cordage, doll hair, industrial sewing thread.
deterioration from
chemicals, mildew,
perspiration, rot, and
weather
• Sensitive to heat
• Soil resistant
• Strong; very
lightweight

• Excellent
colorfastness
POLYESTER • Strong Apparel: Blouses, shirts, career apparel, children's wear,
• Resistant to dresses, half hose, insulated garments, ties, lingerie and
stretching and underwear, permanent press garments, slacks, suits.
shrinking Home Furnishings: Carpets, curtains, draperies, sheets
• Resistant to most and pillow cases. Other: Fiberfill for various products, fire
chemicals hose, power belting, ropes and nets, tire cord, sail, V-
• Quick-drying belts.
• Crisp and resilient
when wet or dry
• Wrinkle- and
abrasion-resistant
• Retains heat-set
pleats and creases

• Easy to wash

PBI • Highly flame Suitable for high-performance protective apparel such as

resistant firemen's turnout coats, astronaut space suits and
• Outstanding comfort applications where fire resistance is important.
factor combined with
thermal and chemical
 stability properties
• Will not burn or melt

• Low shrinkage, when

exposed to flame.
RAYON • Highly absorbent Apparel: Blouses, coats, dresses, jackets, lingerie,
• Soft and comfortable linings, millinery. rainwear, slacks, sports shirts,
• Easy to dye sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes. Home
• Versatile Furnishings: Bedspreads, blankets, carpets, curtains,
draperies, sheets, slipcovers, tablecloths, upholstery.
• Good drapability Other: Industrial products, medical,: surgical products,
non-woven products, tire cord.
SPANDEX • Can be stretched Articles (where stretch is desired): Athletic apparel,
500 percent without bathing suits, delicate laces, foundation garments, golf
breaking jackets, ski pants, slacks, support and surgical hose.
• Can be stretched
repeatedly and
recover original
length
• Light-weight
• Stronger and more
durable than rubber

• Resistant to body oils