animal fibre
Quick Summary
Animal fibers are raw materials derived from animals, such as wool, mohair, and silk. These protein-based fibers are essentially the protective covering of animals, with silk being an exception, produced by moth larvae for cocoons.1
These fibers are naturally biodegradable and possess properties like strength, pliability, and elasticity, making them suitable for textiles. Historically, the use of natural fibers predates recorded history, with evidence of flax and wool fabrics found from the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.12
The processing of raw animal fibers involves removing impurities like wool grease from fleece or sericin from silk. Fibers are then carded to align them and remove remaining impurities, forming a sliver. For finer yarns, combing further refines the sliver by removing shorter fibers.3
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