The thermal behaviour of fibres is also an important factor for determining their performance and care. The burning characteristics of fibres help in fibre identification.
Among the textile fibres which are in use, some are heat sensitive and some are not heat sensitive. Heat sensitivity is the ability to soften, melt or shrink when subjected to heat like plastic. This category of fibres is also known as thermoplastic fibre. All synthetic & acetate are thermoplastic fibres. Others which are not heat sensitive are non-thermoplastic fibres. The heat sensitivity of a fibre may be due to the vibration of molecules in the fibre by heat. These fabrics need to be finished after washing, at safe, lower and recommended temperatures.
We feel comfortable when we wear some garments and we feel hot with some other garments this is mainly due to the heat conductivity of fabrics. Heat conductivity is the ability of fibres to conduct away heat from the body. This is also an important factor since; it contributes the use of certain fabrics in a particular season. The heat conductivity of fibres is given under each fibre and the flammability of fabrics is discussed in detail under identification of fibres.
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