Textile Products from Alternative Fibers

Abstract

Fibers from non-traditional textile sources have the potential to offer novel properties at a reduced cost compared to traditional textile fibers. Two different non-traditional textile fibers, turkey feather fibers and peanut hull fibers, have been explored to determine their suitability in textile products. Turkey feather fibers have been blended with nylon fibers to produce rotor spun yarns as well as formed into latex bonded nonwoven fabrics which were evaluated for utilization as erosion control fabrics. Peanut hull fibers were also evaluated for use as nonwoven erosion control fabrics. Although both fibers are too stiff to be easily processed on traditional textile equipment, they can be processed with nonwovens equipment and successfully produced into nonwoven fabrics. Both fibers, as nonwoven fabrics can offer properties comparable to commercial erosion control fabrics.