Fiber

Fiber (American English) or fibre (British English) is elongated stringy natural or manufactured material. In the case of natural fibers, they often tie together the parts of natural creatures. Natural vegetable fibers, generally consist of cellulose, examples include cotton, linen, and hemp. Cellulose fibers are used in the manufacture of paper and cloth. Natural animal fibers include spider silk, sinew, hair, and wool. There are naturally occurring mineral fibers such as asbestos.

Synthetic fibers include rayon, nylon, fiberglass, and graphite fiber. Synthetic fibers are the result of an extensive search by scientists to increase and improve upon the supply of naturally occurring animal and plant fiber.

See also: textile

References

• The Internet-Encyclopedia article, "Fiber" http://www.internet-encyclopedia.org/wiki.phtml?title=Fiber July 23, 2003

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Fiber can also refer to:

• the fiber of a fiber bundle in mathematics
• fiber optic in engineering
• dietary fiber in nutrition