# Textile Fiber Properties Table: Density, Moisture Regain and Thermal Behaviour

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/textile-fiber-properties-density-moisture-regain-reference
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Look up density, standard moisture regain and melting or degradation behaviour for the common natural, regenerated and synthetic fibers.

## Category

industry-templates

## Industry

Textile and Apparel

## Audience

- Plant manager
- Textile technologist
- Buyer
- Quality engineer

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** reference

**Columns:**

#### Fiber

**Key:** fiber

**Type:** text

#### Family

**Key:** family

**Type:** text

#### Density (g/cm3)

**Key:** density

**Type:** number

**Format:** decimal

#### Standard moisture regain (%)

**Key:** regain

**Type:** number

**Format:** decimal

#### Thermal behaviour (typical)

**Key:** thermal

**Type:** text

#### Typical use

**Key:** use

**Type:** text

**Rows:**

**Fiber:** Cotton

**Family:** Natural cellulosic

**Density:** 1.54

**Regain:** 8.5

**Thermal:** Does not melt, scorches above about 200 C

**Use:** Shirting, denim, knit tees, towels

**Fiber:** Linen (flax)

**Family:** Natural cellulosic

**Density:** 1.5

**Regain:** 12

**Thermal:** Does not melt, chars at high heat

**Use:** Summer apparel, home textiles

**Fiber:** Jute

**Family:** Natural cellulosic

**Density:** 1.46

**Regain:** 13.75

**Thermal:** Does not melt, degrades with heat

**Use:** Sacking, carpet backing

**Fiber:** Hemp

**Family:** Natural cellulosic

**Density:** 1.48

**Regain:** 12

**Thermal:** Does not melt, degrades with heat

**Use:** Canvas, rope, apparel blends

**Fiber:** Wool

**Family:** Natural protein

**Density:** 1.31

**Regain:** 13.6

**Thermal:** Does not melt, chars; yellows above about 100 C

**Use:** Suiting, knitwear, carpets

**Fiber:** Silk

**Family:** Natural protein

**Density:** 1.33

**Regain:** 11

**Thermal:** Does not melt, decomposes above about 150 C

**Use:** Scarves, lingerie, fine apparel

**Fiber:** Viscose rayon

**Family:** Regenerated cellulosic

**Density:** 1.52

**Regain:** 13

**Thermal:** Does not melt, loses strength when hot

**Use:** Dresses, linings, nonwovens

**Fiber:** Lyocell

**Family:** Regenerated cellulosic

**Density:** 1.5

**Regain:** 11.5

**Thermal:** Does not melt, chars at high heat

**Use:** Soft drapey apparel, denim blends

**Fiber:** Cellulose acetate

**Family:** Semi-synthetic

**Density:** 1.32

**Regain:** 6.5

**Thermal:** Softens near 200 C, melts about 260 C

**Use:** Linings, satin, cigarette tow

**Fiber:** Polyester (PET)

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 1.38

**Regain:** 0.4

**Thermal:** Melts about 255 to 260 C

**Use:** Sportswear, workwear, filling, tire cord

**Fiber:** Nylon 6

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 1.14

**Regain:** 4.5

**Thermal:** Melts about 215 to 220 C

**Use:** Hosiery, activewear, carpet

**Fiber:** Nylon 6,6

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 1.14

**Regain:** 4.5

**Thermal:** Melts about 255 to 265 C

**Use:** Airbags, tire cord, technical fabrics

**Fiber:** Acrylic

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 1.17

**Regain:** 2

**Thermal:** Softens above about 235 C, no sharp melt

**Use:** Sweaters, blankets, faux fur

**Fiber:** Polypropylene

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 0.91

**Regain:** 0

**Thermal:** Melts about 160 to 170 C

**Use:** Nonwovens, carpet, rope, base layers

**Fiber:** Elastane (spandex)

**Family:** Synthetic

**Density:** 1.21

**Regain:** 1.3

**Thermal:** Degrades above about 150 to 180 C

**Use:** Stretch denim, hosiery, activewear

**Notes:** Values are typical handbook figures for general reference. Standard regain is the equilibrium moisture at 65 percent RH and 20 C expressed on dry mass, and commercial regain allowances used in trade contracts can differ by market. Always confirm against the supplier test report for your lot.

## Content

**Intro:** Fiber content drives cost, weight, drying time, dye route and processing temperature. This table puts density, moisture regain and thermal behaviour for fifteen common fibers in one searchable place that exports to Excel.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the table

**Body:** Type a fiber or family in the search box to filter rows, then sort or export to Excel for your costing or specification file. Use density when you convert between fiber volume and mass, for example when comparing the weight of a polypropylene non-woven with a cotton one of the same thickness. Use regain when you convert between oven-dry mass and the weight you actually invoice or ship. Use the thermal column to set heat-set, ironing and drying limits.

**Bullets:**

- Search by family to compare cellulosic against synthetic options
- Use density to estimate cover and bulk
- Use regain to reconcile dry and commercial weight
- Use thermal behaviour to set pressing and heat-set limits

#### Moisture regain and commercial weight

**Body:** Regain is the water a fiber holds at standard atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry mass. Commercial weight is dry mass multiplied by one plus regain over 100. A 1,000 kg dry lot of cotton at 8.5 percent regain is billed near 1,085 kg, while the same dry mass of polyester is billed near 1,004 kg. This is why blended yarn weights are computed from the blend ratio and each fiber's regain, and why wet storage can distort receiving weights.

#### Common mistakes and ERP notes

**Body:** Mixing up regain and moisture content is the classic error, since moisture content is based on wet mass and regain on dry mass. Another is assuming synthetic melting points apply to blends: the lowest-melting component sets the limit. In ERP, store fiber content as a classification or characteristic on the item master so costing, labeling and compliance reports can read it, rather than burying it in a description string.

**Bullets:**

- Regain uses dry mass, moisture content uses wet mass
- The lowest-melting fiber in a blend sets the heat limit
- Keep fiber content as a structured attribute in the item master

**Cta:** If your item master, labels and compliance reports do not carry structured fiber content, we can show how to expose it from your ERP data without a custom report project.

**Faq:**

#### What is moisture regain in textiles?

**Answer:** Moisture regain is the mass of water a fiber holds at equilibrium in a standard atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry mass. It differs by fiber, with cotton near 8.5 percent and polyester near 0.4 percent, and it is used to convert between dry and commercial weight.

#### Why does polyester dry faster than cotton?

**Answer:** Polyester absorbs very little moisture inside the fiber because its regain is only about 0.4 percent, so nearly all the water sits on the surface and between yarns. Cotton absorbs water into the fiber itself, so it holds more and takes longer to dry.

#### Which fiber has the lowest density?

**Answer:** Polypropylene is the lowest in this table at about 0.91 g/cm3, which is why it floats on water. That low density gives high cover per kilogram, a reason it is common in nonwovens and base layers.

#### Are these values exact for my fabric?

**Answer:** No. They are typical handbook figures. Fiber grade, finishing, additives and test conditions change the numbers a little, so use the supplier certificate or your own lab test for contracts, claims and compliance declarations.

## Search terms

textile fiber properties table, moisture regain of fibers, fiber density chart, cotton polyester nylon properties, fiber melting point table, standard moisture regain textile, textile fibre comparison chart, fiber properties excel

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