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We all own clothes. There is a lot of variety available in the clothes we can purchase. There is variety in styles, in sizes, in colours, and in fabrics. In summer we prefer cotton clothes, in winter we prefer clothes made from wool.
There is also silk, linen, chiffon, polyester, etc. All such fabrics are divided into two types: Natural fabrics and Synthetic fabrics. The fabrics that are obtained naturally from plants and animals are Natural fabrics. The fabrics created by humans using chemicals are Synthetic fabrics.
Let us take a look at these types of fabrics and their differences.
Types of Fabrics
The world of fabrics is quite interesting. There is a great variety available in fabrics. Each of them has different properties and different uses. We can pick from the variety based on our preferences. All fabrics are majorly divided into two types based on how they are obtained. There are natural fabrics and Synthetic fabrics. The fabrics found naturally and are obtained from plants or animals are termed natural fabrics. The fabrics created in the laboratory are called the man-made fabrics of synthetic fabrics. Cotton, jute, and bamboo are examples of natural fibers. Polyester, rayon, and spandex are examples of synthetic fibers.Natural fibers
Natural fibers come into existence through geological processes or are obtained through the bodies of plants and animals. The oldest fabrics that were used by humans are believed to be flax and wool. Along with clothing, natural fibers can also be used for high-technology applications like the making of composite parts of automobiles. Natural fibers can be found in a variety of textures. An advantage of natural fibers is that they are great absorbents of sweat. People from humid and hot areas prefer making use of clothes made from natural fibers over synthetic fibers.Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are very different from natural fibers. They are not obtained for living organisms but are made in the laboratory. They are an outcome of extensive research conducted by scientists to improve upon natural fibers. Synthetic fibers are obtained through the process of polymeric. In polymerization, monomers are combined to make a long chain. This chain is called a polymer. The first synthetic fiber to have been developed successfully was glass. In the 1870s, silk was obtained from the silkworms for the first time. Later nylon, polyester, and similar fibers were made.Differences between Natural fibers and Synthetic fibers
All fibers are majorly divided into two types: Natural fibers and Synthetic fibers. Following are the points of differences between them:Colour
- The natural fibers have original colours. They do not need to be colored externally. Their colours are mostly fixed
- Synthetic fibers can be given any colour based on the requirement. The process of colour bathing is used for it
The Process of Obtaining
- The natural fibers are obtained directly from nature, from the bodies of plants and animals
- Synthetic fibers are obtained through chemical processes. They are hence also called man-made fibers
Impurities
- Since natural fibers already exist in nature and we collect them, they come with some dust and impurities. They need to be cleansed before using them
- As Synthetic fibers are made in laboratories or factories, no outside dust or impurities are found in them
Durability
- Not much processing is performed on the natural fibers. So, they don’t last for a long time
- Synthetic fibers are processed a lot, during which measures are taken to make them more durable
Spinning Process
- When the natural fibers go through the spinning process, using spinneret is not absolutely necessary
- However, when synthetic fibers are put through the process of spinning, the spinneret is necessary
Breathability
- The breathability of the natural fibers is far better than the synthetic fibers
- As natural fibers aren’t passed through many chemical processes, their breathability remains intact
Insulation of Heat
- Natural fibers are great insulators of heat. Synthetic fibers do not provide as much protection from heat as natural fibers do. Hence, people from hot and humid areas choose natural fabrics over synthetic ones
Absorbency
- The absorbency of natural fibers like cotton, jute, and linen is quite high. However, synthetic fibers like silk aren’t great absorbers.
