Q1. Define the term textile fibre. Explain the basic properties required for a fibre to be suitable for textile use.
- A textile fibre is the fundamental, hair-like unit of textiles, long and flexible enough for yarn and fabric production.
- Fibres can be natural (e.g., cotton, wool) or manufactured (regenerated like rayon, or synthetic like polyester).
- Essential fibre properties include sufficient length and a high length-to-width ratio (min. 1000:1) for spinning.
- Fineness (e.g., Denier/Tex) dictates fibre thickness, influencing fabric softness and drape.
Answer: In the context of textiles, a **textile fibre** is the fundamental unit from which all textile materials are made. As defined in BFADC-101, it is a hair-like, thread-like, or filament-like substance that is significantly longer than it is wide, possessing adequate strength, pliability, and other characteristics to be processed into yarns, and subsequently into fabrics, ropes, or other textile products. Fibres can be natural, derived from plants (e.g., cotton, jute), animals (e.g., wool, silk), ...