Updating guides…
A revision guide covering natural, synthetic and blended fibres and fabrics, paper and board types and uses, and fabric finishes for GCSE Design & Technology.
Natural fibres come from plants or animals. Plant fibres include cotton, from the cotton plant, which is soft, absorbent and breathable, and linen, from the flax plant, which is strong and cool to wear but creases easily. Animal fibres include wool, from sheep, which is warm, elastic and absorbent, and silk, produced by silkworms, which is fine, strong and has a natural lustre. Natural fibres are generally comfortable and biodegradable, but can be more expensive, crease easily and take longer to dry than synthetic alternatives.
Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, are manufactured from chemicals derived largely from crude oil. They are typically strong, durable, quick-drying and resistant to creasing, but are less breathable and are not biodegradable. Blended fabrics combine two or more fibre types spun together to gain the benefits of each — for example, a polycotton blend combines the durability and easy-care properties of polyester with the comfort and absorbency of cotton, producing a fabric that is comfortable to wear yet easier to look after than pure cotton.
Finishes are treatments applied to fabrics to improve or add to their properties. A water-repellent finish, such as a polyurethane coating, helps fabric shed water for outdoor clothing. Flame-retardant finishes slow the spread of fire and are required by law for products such as children's nightwear, upholstery and curtains in public buildings. Mercerising is a finish applied to cotton that increases its strength, lustre (shine) and ability to absorb dye. Stain-resistant and anti-static finishes are also common, particularly on workwear and carpets.
Paper and board are graded by thickness (grammage, measured in gsm) and are chosen for different jobs. Cartridge paper is a general-purpose drawing paper with a slight texture, while tracing paper is thin and translucent, allowing designs underneath to be seen and copied. Corrugated card has a fluted (wavy) inner layer sandwiched between flat outer layers, giving it strength and cushioning for protective packaging. Duplex board has a different colour, texture or coating on each side, often used for cosmetic and food packaging where one side needs to look attractive and the other needs a functional printed surface. Boards used in food packaging must be food-safe and are often coated to resist grease and moisture.