The basic threadlike structure from which nonwovens, yarns and textiles are made.
It differs from a particle by having a length at least 100 times its width.
NATURAL FIBERS are either of animal (wool, silk), vegetable (cotton, flax, jute) or mineral (asbestos) origin.
MAN-MADE FIBERS may be either polymers synthesized from chemical compounds (polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, etc.) modified natural polymers (rayon, acetate) or mineral (glass).