textile

Fabric produced by weaving, knitting, or bonding.

Natural textiles
These are made from natural fibres and include cotton, linen, silk, and wool (including angora, llama, and many others). For particular qualities, such as flame resistance or water and stain repellence, these may be combined with a synthetic fibre or treated with various chemicals.

Synthetics
There are two types of synthetic fibre: true synthetic or regenerated synthetic. Regenerated synthetic fibres are produced from raw materials (that form fibres naturally); these are reformed to produce fibres or filaments suitable for making into yarns or fabrics. The first commercial regenerated synthetic fibre was ‘artificial silk’ or rayon, and was made from modified cellulose (wood pulp), known according to later methods of manufacture as viscose. The wood pulp is combined with caustic soda and carbon disulphide to produce a liquid (viscose), which is then forced through a spinneret (a piece of metal with very fine holes in it) to produce filaments (long fibres). Acetate is a regenerated fibre made from cotton linters (very short cotton fibres) combined with acetic acid. True synthetic fibres are usually produced from substances like petrochemicals, which do not naturally form fibres. The first fully synthetic textile fibre, nylon, was developed in 1937. Nylon, acrylic, polyester, and spandex or elastomeric fibres, such as lycra, form the basis of most of the modern textile industry.

Geotextiles
Textiles used in drainage systems, road foundations, barriers to sea, and river defences against erosion are known as geotextiles. They are made from synthetic fibres, which are either felted for use as filters or stabilizing grids, or woven for strength.