TYPES OF FABRICS:
WOOL AND ACETATE
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
1
INTRODUCTION
Firstly, what is a fabric?
A fabric is a collection of fibers aligned or pressed
together using various techniques to form a continuous
material. It is a cloth made by weaving, knitting or felting
fibers. They are used to make clothing, shoes, bags and
home wares like bed sheets, cushions and towels.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
2
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF WOOL
• Wool is one of the oldest known fibers, dating back
to ancient times. Its origins are closely tied to the
domestication of sheep, which occurred around
10,000 years ago in regions such as Mesopotamia,
modern-day Turkey, and Iran. Wool has been used
for millennia for clothing, blankets, and various
textiles.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
3
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF ACETATE
• Acetate fabric, also known as cellulose acetate,
was first developed in the early 20th century as an
alternative to silk. The process of creating acetate
fibers began with experimentation around 1860, but
it wasn't until 1894 that the production of cellulosic
acetate was patented. The first commercial
production started in England after World War I,
and the United States began producing acetate
fibers in 1924.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
4
PROCESSING OF WOOL
• Shearing: Sheep are sheared to harvest the wool. This
typically occurs once a year.
• Cleaning (Scouring): The wool is washed to remove
grease, dirt, and impurities.
• Carding: The cleaned wool is carded to align the fibers
and remove any remaining debris.
• Spinning: The carded wool is spun into yarn, a process
that twists the fibers together to create a continuous
thread.
• Weaving or Knitting: The yarn is woven or knitted into
fabric.
• Finishing: The fabric undergoes various finishing
processes, such as fulling (to increase density), dyeing,
and shrinking.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
5
PROCESSING OF ACETATE
• The production of acetate fabric involves several steps:
• Purification: Cotton linters (short fibers left after cotton ginning)
or wood pulp is boiled with alkali and bleached with
hypochlorite bleach to purify the cellulose.
• Activation: The purified cellulose is mixed with glacial acetic
acid and acetic anhydride under controlled conditions, with a
small amount of sulfuric acid as a catalyst.
• Acetylation: The mixture is added to an acetylator , where the
chemicals blend with the cellulose.
• Precipitation: Water is added to precipitate acetate in the
form of small flakes.
• Washing and Drying: The flakes are washed and dried.
• Dry Spinning: The dried acetate is dissolved in acetone and
filtered, then passed through a spinneret in a warm air
chamber to form fibers. The acetone evaporates, leaving
behind acetate rayon filaments.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
6
PROPERTIES OF WOOL
• Natural Insulator: Wool has excellent insulating
properties, keeping the wearer warm in cold weather.
• Moisture Wicking: Wool can absorb up to 30% of its
weight in moisture without feeling damp, making it
comfortable to wear.
• Elasticity: Wool fibers have natural elasticity, allowing
them to stretch and return to their original shape.
• Durability: Wool is strong and durable, resistant to tearing
and abrasion.
• Fire Resistance: Wool is naturally flame-resistant, selfextinguishing, and doesn’t melt.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
7
PROPERTIES OF ACETATE
• Silk-like Texture: Acetate has a smooth, silky feel
and a luxurious sheen.
• Lightweight and Breathable: It's lightweight and
breathable, making it comfortable to wear.
• Drapes Well: It has excellent draping qualities, which
makes it ideal for flowing dresses and elegant
garments.
• Color Retention: It holds vibrant colors well and is
easy to dye.
• Resistant to Mildew and Static: It resists mildew and
static, and dries quickly.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
8
USES OF WOOL
• Clothing: Used in garments such as sweaters, suits,
coats, scarves, and socks.
• Home Textiles: Popular in carpets, rugs, upholstery,
and blankets.
• Insulation: Used in building materials for thermal and
acoustic insulation.
• Industrial Uses: Wool felt is used in various industrial
applications, including polishing and padding.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
9
USES OF ACETATE
• Fashion: Often used in evening wear, wedding
dresses, blouses, and lingerie.
• Home Décor: Suitable for draperies, upholstery, and
bedding due to its lustrous appearance.
• Substitute for Wool: Used in garments where wool
might be too heavy or prone to shrinking.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
10
REACTION OF WOOL TO SUBSTANCES
• Water: Wool absorbs moisture but remains warm and
comfortable. It can shrink and felt when exposed to hot
water and agitation.
• Heat: Wool is resistant to high temperatures but can
shrink if exposed to extreme heat.
• Acids: Wool is susceptible to damage from strong acids,
which can break down the fibers.
• Alkalis: Wool can be damaged by strong alkalis, such as
those found in some detergents. Mild alkalis are
generally safe.
• Bleach: Chlorine bleach can damage wool fibers,
causing them to yellow and weaken.
• Moths: Wool is prone to damage from moth larvae,
which can eat through the fibers
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
11
REACTION OF ACETATE TO
SUBSTANCES
• Acetate fabric has specific reactions to various
substances:
• Heat Sensitivity: Acetate melts at high temperatures, so it
should be dry cleaned or ironed on a low heat setting.
• Chemical Reactions: Acetate can be damaged by
strong chemicals, so it's important to avoid harsh
cleaning agents.
• Dyeing: Acetate takes dye well, resulting in vibrant and
long-lasting colors.
• Moisture Absorption: It absorbs more moisture than
synthetic fibers but less than natural fibers, making it
comfortable to wear.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
12
WOOL UNDER A MICROSCOPE
• Under a microscope, wool fibers show a scaly
surface structure, which helps them interlock and
create a cohesive fabric.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
13
ACETATE UNDER A MICROSCOPE
• Smooth Surface: The fibers have a smooth and
uniform surface.
• Circular Cross-Section: The fibers appear circular or
oval in cross-section.
• Straight Fibers: They lack natural crimp, contributing
to excellent drape.
• Transparent: The fibers can appear somewhat
transparent.
• Uniform Diameter: The fibers are consistent in
diameter
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
14
ACETATE UNDER A MICROSCOPE
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
15
FUN FACTS
• Sheep Breeds: There are over 1,000 different breeds
of sheep, each producing a unique.
• Regrowth: Sheep need to be sheared at least once
a year because their wool never stops growing type
of wool.
• Sheep Pals: Sheep often form close friendships with
other sheep and can recognize up to 50 different
faces!
• Sheep's Woolly Jacket: A sheep named Shrek once
avoided shearing for six years and ended up with a
fleece weighing 60 pounds!
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
16
MORE FUN FACTS
• Super Stretchy: Wool fibers can stretch up to 30% of
their length without breaking, kind of like a natural
rubber band.
• Sneaky Spider: Some spiders produce an acetatelike substance to make their webs stronger and
more durable.
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
17
30/03/2025
By Fedora Abdulrahman and Kamsi
Nweke
18
0
