Animal Fibre

Animal fibres are natural fibres that are made up primarily of specific proteins and are therefore called “animal fibres.” Silk, hair/fur (including wool), and feathers are examples of such materials. Wool from domestic sheep and silk are the two animal fibres that are most commonly used in both the manufacturing world and by hand spinners. Alpaca fibre and mohair from Angora goats are also very popular fibres to work with. Unusual fibres, such as Angora wool from rabbits and Chiengora from dogs, are also available, but they are rarely used in large-scale industrial manufacturing.

Animal fibres do not all have the same characteristics, and even within a species, the fibre does not have the same characteristics. Merino wool is extremely soft and fine, whereas Cotswold wool is coarser, despite the fact that both Merino and Cotswold are breeds of sheep. Continue this comparison on a microscopic level by comparing the diameter and structure of the fibres in question.

Animal Fibres

In contrast to synthetic fibres, animal fibres occur naturally fibres derived from animals, as the name implies. The proteins that make up animal fibres are diverse in their composition.. Wool and silk are two of the most widely used animal fibres. The fact that all animal fibres are derived from various animals and thus have distinct features from one another should be understood. Aside from that, the type of fibres produced by each animal varies. Just as an illustration, consider the fact that Merino and Cotswold wool are two distinct types of wool that are obtained from two distinct species of sheep. Merino wool is known for having a softer texture, whereas Cotswold wool is known for having a coarser texture. Also keep in mind that natural fibres from animals have a tendency to be less consistent than synthetic fibres, which makes them more difficult to work with. A more consistent result can be achieved with synthetic materials. What animal fibres are, the difference between them and plant fibres, and the different types of animal fibres will all be covered in today’s lecture.

Animal Fibres Names

Textile fibres are often obtained from animals’ fur. Fibres from animals’ fur, skin, and hair, or even excretion in the case of the silkworm, are used to make these products. Once the animal fibres have been retrieved, they are usually knitted or woven together to create gorgeous animal fabrics…. You can choose between silk and wool if you have to list two fibres derived from animals. Consider the fact that historically, these animal fibres have been used to create warm and soft jackets, shawls, blazers, coats, poncho, and various other types of clothing and accessories. It is usually coverings, carpets, and rugs that are the roughest of the animal fibre applications that you may think of.

Examples of Animal Fibres

Wool and silk are two of the most frequently utilised animal fibres on the planet, if we have to narrow it down to just two. Let us now go over the various sorts of animal fibres in further detail.

1.Wool

Wool is a type of animal fibre that is derived from a variety of animal furs that are members of the Caprinae family. Generally speaking, wool is associated with sheep; however, wool can be derived from a variety of animals including goats, rabbits, and alpacas. Aspects of wool from different animals that are different from one another are called fibre characteristics. The most significant distinction between sheep’s wool and their hair is that sheep’s wool is made up of scales that overlap in the same way that shingles on a roof do, whereas sheep’s hair does not. Many types of wool are also known to contain more than 20 different types of bends in a single inch of fabric. The diameter of a single strand of wool, on the other hand, varies from 17 micrometres to approximately 35 micrometres.

2.Silk

It is considered to be a protein fibre that occurs naturally in the environment. It can also be incorporated into textiles in a variety of ways. The most well-known silk form is the, which is produced by the larvae of the Bombyx mori species of spider. Sericulture is the term used to describe the practice of raising silk. The Bombyx mori fibres that have been degummed have a diameter that ranges between 5 and 10 millimetres in diameter. There are many different types of silk, each of which is distinguished by its lustrous appearance. You should be aware that a single silkworm cocoon can produce a single long fibre. In order to avoid damaging the silkworm cocoons, care should be taken when untangling the silkworm fibres. In addition, the health of the silkworm has an impact on the quality of the silk fibres produced. This, in turn, is dependent on their living conditions as well as the food that they are given to consume. Spider silk is one of the most powerful naturally occurring fibres that has ever been discovered by man. It is the strongest dragline silk known to man, and it is believed to be approximately three times stronger than kevlar and more than five times tougher than stainless steel. It is believed that the silk woven by the ogre-faced spider can be stretched more than five times its original length without becoming damaged.

Conclusion

Naturally occurring fibres derived from animals are referred to as animal fibres. They are typically composed of a variety of different types and quantities of proteins. Silk and wool are two of the most well-known examples of animal fibres. Remember that animal fibres derived from different animals have a variety of characteristics that should be taken into consideration. The types of fibres found in different species may also differ from one another in some instances. Wools such as Cotswold and Merino, for example, are two distinct types (extracted from different sheep species). It is recognised for its coarse texture, whereas it is known for its soft texture, and both are popular. Natural fibres are also known to vary in consistency, whereas synthetic fibres are known to be more uniform in their consistency.