Body Fat Measurements
A person's exact body fat percentage generally cannot be determined, but there are several techniques which can be used to estimate it: The skinfold estimation methods are based on a skinfold test, whereby a pinch of skin is precisely ...Read More Overweight and Fertility
In this page some frequently asked questions and answers are discussed about fertility issue and pregnancy complications which come in mind of not only overweight or obese individuals but also general for every women of any shape and size...Read More Modeling Figure Calculator
This is a free tool designed to predict about your figure, if you are interested in modeling, may be slim traditional modeling or plus size fashion modeling, this tool will definitely help you to show the right path through its logic and algorithm...Use It Personality Analyzer
This tester works on the basis of numerology, mathematics, logic and some philosophical principles. You have to select nine options. By permutation and combination, you will get a brief about your personality just by a single click...Use It Unique Marcy Guevara - An Interview
Marcy Guevara, Editor-at-Large of SKROCH Magazine, Fashion Model and Critic, Television Figure had been facing camera when
she was a child. Marcy received her degree in Broadcast Journalism from Biola University in 2006 and now...Read More
Fiber Relates Comfort
A general knowledge about classification, preparation and intrinsic properties of textile fibers are very helpful for
everyone to choose and understand the strength, elongation, comfort, effect on skin, durability,
resistance to abrasion, look, drape and durability of the end product, fabric.
Textile fibers are classified in 3 major categories:
1.Natural Fibers: Natural fibers have their source of availability from nature. They are obtained either from
plant or animal origin.
Manufacturing: They don't require any further processing to convert into fibers except cleaning.
Properties: One of the greatest benefit of natural fibers is their low hydro-carbon level, thus they are very
harmless for skin on long run. However, Wool, Far etc. are composed of amino acids and as they are animal hairs, so they
have scales on their surface, thus give a rough feeling. Silk, due to its triangular cross-section is lustrous but also
has a harsh feel in pure condition. After several finishing, the roughness of those animal fibers can be minimized up to
certain extent. Natural fibers, except silk have good moisture absorption properties and are comfortable for skin. The
strength of natural fibers are generally less than man-made fibers, but Jute, Hemp, Flux can be compared with any synthetic
fibers in terms of their strength. Elongation properties of natural fibers are also very good, especially of Wool. Jute,
Hemp, Flux etc. (Bust fibers) have very low elongation properties. One and the main disadvantage of natural fibers is that
their low abrasion resistance, less durable.
Uses: Cotton, Silk are used to make light garments, Wool is used to make heavy garments, Bust fibers are not
used to make garments generally, they are used for making several industrial fabrics and technical fabrics.
2.Regenerated Fibers:These fibers are made by modification of natural resources (like wood, natural proteins etc.)
with series of chemical treatments. They are also known as semi-synthetic fibers.
Manufacturing: Natural cellulose (Wood, Cotton etc.) are treated with water and chemicals like carbon di-sulfide
in presence of a caustic solution and kept for several days for ageing, when a xanthate is formed. The xanthate of cellulose
is dissolved in caustic solution to form a viscous mixture, called viscose. The viscose is extruded through a spinneret
(fine holes) into an acid medium where Viscose Rayon is produced in the form of continuous filament. Filaments can be cut to
form staple fibers. Viscose Rayon or simply Rayon is most popular regenerated fiber and widely used. There are several
other regenerated fibers, like Casein (a fiber produced from milk protein), but fail to stick in the market due to their
high cost.
Properties: Viscose Rayon has a glossy appearance with moderate strength and elongation (greater than Cotton),
low moisture absorption, good abrasion resistance, more durable than cotton.
Uses: Viscose generally used along with Cotton because it imparts more strength, durability, luster
to Cotton fabric but naturally decreases the feel and comfort of pure Cotton. When mixed with Polyester, the cost of the
fabric decreases and moisture regain property of the fabric increases thus gives better comfort than only Polyester fabric.
3.Synthetic Fibers:These fibers are totally made by polymerization of chemicals and hence also they are known as
man-made fibers.
Manufacturing: Polymerization is a process which combines several small units called "monomers" to form a long
chain derivative with high tensile strength and high molecular weight to form textile fibers. A simple comparison of
monomers and polymers can be done in the following way, say if bricks are the monomers then a house is the polymer, if a
stones are the monomers then a pyramid is the polymer. Monomers are different for different fibers. Polymerization
are carried out in two ways (a) Addition polymerization & (b) Condensation polymerization. Some common monomers
and their respective polymers are Caprolactam (Nylon 6); Adipic acid & Hexamethylene Di-amine (Nylon 66); Acrylonitrile
(Acrylic); Terephthalic acid & Monoethylene Glycol (Polyester); Propylene (Polypropylene); Vinyl Chloride
(Polyvinyl chloride) etc. Numerous researches are going on in the field of polymerization all over the world.
Properties: Synthetic fibers are of high strength, luster but lack moisture absorption properties than most
of the natural fibers. They also have high hydrocarbon percentages than natural fibers, so, they are harmful for long
term uses.
Uses: Polyester is used as a blend with Cotton, Wool and Viscose to make light as well as heavy garments. Only
Polyester is harmful for skin and uncomfortable also. Acrylic is used along with Wool to reduce the cost, only Acrylic
is also used instead of Wool to make customer fool. Nylon is used to make nets or net like effect on certain fashion
garments. Only Nylon is very harmful for skin.
