32—SUPERMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND FIBRE PROPERTIES

Various theories of fibre structure are briefly reviewed, and it is shown that the original ‘fringed-micelles’ theory is no longer considered valid. The influence of the genesis of fibres on their structure is demonstrated, and it is shown that, because of this difference in fibre formation, it is difficult to fit a single model to all fibres. The architectural models proposed for various fibres are discussed, and it is pointed out that the validity of these models can be tested by reference to the fibre properties. It is emphasized that there is still insufficient knowledge of the behaviour of fibres subjected to transverse stresses, and it is shown that some of the phenomena that occur under the action of such stresses can be explained by the comparatively recent ‘fringed-fibrils’ theory of fibre structure. Finally, attention is drawn to some aspects of the structure and behaviour of fibres that are still unexplained, and towards which it is proposed that further research should be directed.