faser

Faser, in German, denotes a slender, flexible filament with a high length-to-diameter ratio that can serve as a reinforcing element or as a basic component in textiles. In a broad sense, fasern are used to convey strength, lightness, insulation, or specialized properties in materials, clothing, or biological systems. The term is common in materials science, textile engineering, and biology, and in English the equivalent word is fiber.

Faser types are typically grouped into natural and synthetic categories. Natural fibers originate from plants or animals, such as cotton, flax (linen), jute, hemp, wool, and silk. They are valued for sustainability and comfort but can vary in properties with humidity. Synthetic fibers are manufactured from polymers and include nylon (polyamide), polyester, acrylic, and spandex; high-performance variants include aramids (such as Kevlar), carbon fiber, and glass fiber. There are also mineral and composite fibers used for insulation, reinforcement, or specialized applications.

Manufacturing and fabrication involve processing fibers into usable forms. Natural fibers are harvested and processed to remove impurities, possibly treated for compatibility with matrices. Synthetic fibers are produced by polymerization and then formed into filaments through spinning processes (melt, dry, or wet spinning) and drawing to align molecular chains. These filaments can be woven, knitted, or made into nonwoven fabrics, and they are also used as reinforcement in composite materials, often with a resin or polymer matrix.

Applications span textiles, industrial fabrics, and composites for automotive, aerospace, construction, and medical uses. Environmental considerations include biodegradability of natural fibers and recyclability or end-of-life management of synthetic fibers, as well as concerns about microplastics and resource use in fiber production.