3. Mechanical and physical properties

Some technical characteristics of plant and synthetic fibers are shown in the table 2 for comparison (intrinsic characteristics of single fibers). Fiber yarns (or threads) do not behave in the same way as a single fiber. Any mechanical stress on the single fiber will directly translate into stresses within the material, whereas the spun fiber will first undergo structural changes that may lead to fiber separation (rupture of frictional forces between fibers), even before reaching the material's own limits.

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