14
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
Table 1 (continued)
S.no Fibers studied
Shedding order (Highest
to Lowest)
Noted driving factor
References
10. • Real-time wash load
i. Natural fibers
(Cotton, Wool,
Viscose)
ii. Synthetic fibers
(Polyester, Acrylic,
Nylon)
Origin of fibers
(Natural fibers shed
more than synthetic
fibers)
[40]
higher shedding in the case of double structure fabric (modal and cotton blend in
the backside and 100% polyester in the front side) than the fabrics made of 100%
polyester. They have reported that the staple fibers on the backside of the double
structure fabric could be the reason for higher shedding. They have supported their
conclusion by examining the shed fibers where they found more cellulosic fibers
which form the backside of the structure than the polyester fibers on the front side
[44]. The same conclusion was provided by the other researchers who studied the
shedding of polyester fabrics which are made of staple and filament yarns. They
have also noted that fabrics which are made of staple fibers shed more than the
fabrics made of filament fibers [21]. In contrast to all these, the other researchers
who quantified the microfiber shedding by the sonication extraction method have
reported that there is no significant difference in microfiber shedding between the
yarns made of filament and staple fibers [47]. Figure 6 represents the various fiber
parameter that influences the microfiber shedding.
To consolidate, the effect of fiber properties and characteristics on the microfiber
shedding is inevitable. They can directly or indirectly affect the shedding nature of the
fabric. Various researchers have reported that physical and mechanical characteristics
of fibers like fiber length, fiber tenacity, fiber elongation can affect or change the
microfiber shedding behavior. Among the parameters discussed, fiber length plays a
dominant role. The staple fibers shed more than the filaments as short fibers can easily
slip away from the structure [23, 26, 29, 44, 45]. Since the natural fibers are of staple
length, more shedding is noted with natural fibers. Along with that the researcher also
mentioned that the fibers with cellulosic content shed more fibers [23, 26, 29, 40].
The fiber tenacity and fiber strength could also contribute to shedding. The reduced
tenacity (for fiber-like acrylic) can lead to easy breakage and cause more shedding.
This causes increased shedding in the case of recycled fibers where the recycling
process can reduce the mechanical properties of the fibers [41]. It is also worth to
mention the biodegradable nature of the natural fiber is their main advantage and
so less concern was given to their microfiber releasing capacity. But in the case of
synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester, due to their potential nonbiodegradability,
they possess a higher threat to the environment.
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
Table 1 (continued)
S.no Fibers studied
Shedding order (Highest
to Lowest)
Noted driving factor
References
10. • Real-time wash load
i. Natural fibers
(Cotton, Wool,
Viscose)
ii. Synthetic fibers
(Polyester, Acrylic,
Nylon)
Origin of fibers
(Natural fibers shed
more than synthetic
fibers)
[40]
higher shedding in the case of double structure fabric (modal and cotton blend in
the backside and 100% polyester in the front side) than the fabrics made of 100%
polyester. They have reported that the staple fibers on the backside of the double
structure fabric could be the reason for higher shedding. They have supported their
conclusion by examining the shed fibers where they found more cellulosic fibers
which form the backside of the structure than the polyester fibers on the front side
[44]. The same conclusion was provided by the other researchers who studied the
shedding of polyester fabrics which are made of staple and filament yarns. They
have also noted that fabrics which are made of staple fibers shed more than the
fabrics made of filament fibers [21]. In contrast to all these, the other researchers
who quantified the microfiber shedding by the sonication extraction method have
reported that there is no significant difference in microfiber shedding between the
yarns made of filament and staple fibers [47]. Figure 6 represents the various fiber
parameter that influences the microfiber shedding.
To consolidate, the effect of fiber properties and characteristics on the microfiber
shedding is inevitable. They can directly or indirectly affect the shedding nature of the
fabric. Various researchers have reported that physical and mechanical characteristics
of fibers like fiber length, fiber tenacity, fiber elongation can affect or change the
microfiber shedding behavior. Among the parameters discussed, fiber length plays a
dominant role. The staple fibers shed more than the filaments as short fibers can easily
slip away from the structure [23, 26, 29, 44, 45]. Since the natural fibers are of staple
length, more shedding is noted with natural fibers. Along with that the researcher also
mentioned that the fibers with cellulosic content shed more fibers [23, 26, 29, 40].
The fiber tenacity and fiber strength could also contribute to shedding. The reduced
tenacity (for fiber-like acrylic) can lead to easy breakage and cause more shedding.
This causes increased shedding in the case of recycled fibers where the recycling
process can reduce the mechanical properties of the fibers [41]. It is also worth to
mention the biodegradable nature of the natural fiber is their main advantage and
so less concern was given to their microfiber releasing capacity. But in the case of
synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester, due to their potential nonbiodegradability,
they possess a higher threat to the environment.