The fibres are elongated thick walled cells with pointed ends. The cell walls consists of cellulose and may or may not contain lignin. These are used in medical practice as surgical dressings. They are made of natural or artificial materials. Apart from the natural sources like plant, animal and minerals, fibres are synthesised chemically from various materials.
Fibres obtained from various sources are categorised:
(a) Plant fibres – Jute, flax, banana, cotton, hemp
(b) Animal fibres – Silk, wool
(c) Regenerated and synthetic fibres - Nylon, terylene, orlon
(1) Fibres regenerated from carbohydrate materials – Alginate yarn, artificial silk or rayon or regenerated cellulose
(2) Fibres regenerated from protein materials – Aridil from ground nut protein and fibrolin from milk caesin
(3) Synthetic – Nylon, terylene, orlon
(d) Mineral fibres - Glass, asbestos
For the identification of fibres, various chemical tests need to be performed. The microscopic examination is the main criterion to confirm the identity of fibres.
Commercially, the fibres are used in the textile industry for weaving the cloth. It is also used as filtering medium and also for insulation purpose.
