CogKnoSys

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Physical

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are threads that come from plants, animals or geological processes, such as cotton, wool and flax.

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The idea

Natural fibers are long, thin strands that come from living things or from the Earth itself. Plants give us fibers like cotton and flax, animals give us fibers like wool, and some fibers form through geological processes in rock. People spin these fibers into thread and weave or knit the thread into cloth. Fibers can also be pressed into flat sheets to make paper or felt.

Natural fibers soak up water well and come in many textures. Cotton makes fabric that is light and soft, which is why many people in hot, humid places prefer cotton clothes to synthetic ones.

Natural fibers are also used in modern technology. Engineers mix them into composite materials for car parts and medical supplies. Compared with glass fibers, they are lighter and insulate better against heat. Most natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable, so bacteria can break them down after they are thrown away. They usually decompose faster than synthetic fibers, although the speed and environmental impact depend on the type of fiber.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 2

Compared with which material do natural fibers make composites lighter and better at insulating heat?

Pick one. The first pick counts.

Composition

what it's made of

  • Plant fibers — Fibers such as cotton and flax, taken from the bodies of plants.
  • Animal fibers — Fibers such as wool, taken from the bodies of animals.
  • Mineral fibers — Fibers produced by geological processes in the Earth.
  • Composites — Materials in which natural fibers strengthen another substance, with the fiber direction shaping their properties.

Connection

how it relates

Under Materials

Related

  1. Decomposersstrength 60 of 100

    Bacteria, one kind of decomposer, can break down natural fibers once they are no longer used.

  2. Climate Patternsstrength 50 of 100

    In hot and humid climates, many people prefer clothes made of natural fibers such as cotton.

  3. Biodiversitystrength 40 of 100

    Many different plants and animals supply fibers, so a variety of living things means a variety of materials.

Change

how and why it evolves

Past
The earliest known evidence of people using fibers is wool and dyed flax found in a prehistoric cave in Georgia, dating back about 36,000 years. Much later, in 1908, cellulose fibers in a phenolic resin became one of the first plastics strengthened with natural fibers.
Now
Today natural fibers are used both in everyday clothing and in high-tech composite parts for cars and medical supplies.
Next
Because they are renewable and break down more easily than many synthetics, natural fibers may see wider use as people look for greener materials.

Knowledge you can walk. Read the idea, then step up, across or down.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are threads that come from plants, animals or geological processes, such as cotton, wool and flax.

Learn, discuss, create, buy or invest

The idea

Natural fibers are long, thin strands that come from living things or from the Earth itself. Plants give us fibers like cotton and flax, animals give us fibers like wool, and some fibers form through geological processes in rock. People spin these fibers into thread and weave or knit the thread into cloth. Fibers can also be pressed into flat sheets to make paper or felt.

Natural fibers soak up water well and come in many textures. Cotton makes fabric that is light and soft, which is why many people in hot, humid places prefer cotton clothes to synthetic ones.

Natural fibers are also used in modern technology. Engineers mix them into composite materials for car parts and medical supplies. Compared with glass fibers, they are lighter and insulate better against heat. Most natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable, so bacteria can break them down after they are thrown away. They usually decompose faster than synthetic fibers, although the speed and environmental impact depend on the type of fiber.

Check yourself

2 quick questions, instant feedback.