TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY
(Because any knowledge is good knowledge)

FIBERS

Fibers (i.e. not the kind that keeps you regular): Cylindrical/ribbon-shaped units of matter with an extremely small diameter—the basic structure of textile yarns and fabrics.

Stress : Resistance to deformation (a change in length) developed within a fiber being subjected to a pulling or a tensile force.

Strain : Deformation (lengthening or extension) of a fiber caused by application of pulling or tensile force.

Tenacity : Stress expressed as a force per linear density (grams-force per denier or Newtons per tex).

Specific Heat : Amount of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of fiber 1 degree.

Thermo-Conductivity : Rate of heat flow along a fiber.

Swelling and Lengthening : Increase in a fiber’s cross-sectional area or length when saturated with water.

Specific Gravity (for a fiber): Ratio of a mass of fiber to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4 degrees Celsius.

Moisture Regain (for a fiber): Percent of moisture in a fiber calculated on the basis of its dry weight.

Stretch Yarns : These are yarns composed of thermoplastic filaments. They have a high degree of potential elastic stretch and rapid recovery and are characterized by a high degree of yarn curl.

Bulky Yarns : Yarns formed from inherently bulky fibers such as man-made fibers that are hollow along part or all of their length.