Are you puzzling at the abbreviations of fabrics? Whether you are a textile hobbyist, a fashion designer, a textile practitioner, or just interested in the bold letters in the fabric content label, this guide is here to help.
The following passage walks through common textile abbreviations and highlights their characteristics for easy reference.
Fabric Abbreviations for Natural Fibers
Animal fibers and plant fibers are relatively hypoallergenic and eco-friendly, ideal for garment manufacturing and home furnishings. Mineral fibers, on the other hand, were widely used in the past while less common now.
Animal Fibers
Animal fibers are revered for their extraordinary warmth retention and durability. They are naturally breathable and absorbent, effectively wicking away sweat while holding moisture, yet keeping you dry. However, they have relatively weak fiber strength and are prone to pilling and insect damage.
SE – Silk, a long fiber extracted from cocoons made by silk moths’ larvae, fiber strength among the highest
- MS – Mulberry silk, silk from mulberry silkworms, with an incomparable luxury and smoothness
- TS – Tussah silk, silk from wild silkworms, less sleek and sheeny but warmer
HR – Cattle hair, hair from cattle, common in cowhide fabrics
HS – Horsehair, a fiber extracted from a horse’s mane and tail, lustrous
HZ – Common goat hair, a fiber from the hair of all types of goat but angora, coarse and stiff
LE – leather, fabrics made of animal skins, strong, flexible and durable
WA – Angora, textiles made from the wool of Angora rabbit, soft and fluffy
WB – Beaver fur, textiles made from beaver fur, soft materials for fur coats
WG – Vicuña, textiles made from vicuñas(a rare animal), soft and shiny close to cashmere
WK – Camelhair, textiles made from camel hair, thick but soft
WL – Llama hair, textiles made from llamas’ hair, similar to alpaca wool but less delicate
WM – Mohair, wool from Angora goats, lustrous and smooth
WO – Wool or fleece, textiles made from sheep’s wool or recycled wool
WP – Alpaca wool, wool from alpacas, lightweight and fine
WS – Cashmere, a type of precious wool from goats, soft, delicate and luxury
WU – Guanaco hair, a fiber made from the undercoat of the guanaco
WV – Virgin wool, wool from a lamb’s first shaving
WY – Yak wool, wool from the yak, soft but tenacious
Plant Fibers
Plant or vegetable fibers are derived from the stalks, fruits, leaves, basts, or seeds of plants. These fibers are robust and rigid, offering high tensile strength. They are highly breathable and absorbent, making them suitable for use in all seasons. However, they often have rough textures and tend to wrinkle, crumple, shrink, and discolor when exposed to water or direct sunlight.
AB – Abaca, a hard, elastic fiber from Musa textilis plants in the Philippines, resistant to water and grease
AL – Halfagras, a coarse fiber made from halfagras, used in home textiles
BA/BM – Bamboo, a fiber extracted from bamboo through mechanical methods, antibacterial
CC – Coir, an old fiber extracted from coconut husk, used in mats, ropes and carpets
CO – Cotton, one of the most versatile fibers, derived from the cotton plant
HA – Hemp, a hard fiber made from the stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant
JU – Jute, a long fiber derived from jute plants, rough but shiny, and mostly chemical-free
KP – Kapok, a lightweight and silky fiber extracted from kapok trees, also called java cotton and silk-cotton
LI – Linen or flax, a strong textile made from flax plants, stronger when wet
RA – Ramie, a crisp fiber stemming from ramie, similar to linen but silkier and less shrinkable
SI – Sisal, a strong fiber from a Mexican plant, extremely stiff and durable
Mineral Fibers
AS – Asbest, a high-performance fiber extracted from asbestos, harmful to people’s health
Fabric Abbreviations for Regenerated Fibers
Regenerated fibers are sourced from natural resources and undergo chemical and mechanical processing through industrial treatments. While they can replicate many of the benefits of natural fibers, they tend to have lower strength and wear resistance. Plus, these artificial fibers are recyclable and compostable.
AC/CA – Acetate, cellulose textiles made from wood pulp, with a luxurious appearance akin to silk
AG – Alginate, a fiber mainly extracted from some brown algae in the ocean, antibacterial and antioxidation
BB – Bamboo viscose, a type of viscose fabric made from bamboo pulp, breathable and comfortable
CLY – Lyocell, a type of rayon fiber made from wood pulp, known for its softness and luster
- TN – Tencel™, a trademarked type of lyocell, of premium quality and sustainable manufacturing
CMD/MD/MO – Modal, a type of rayon made from beech tree pulp, having excellent moisture absorption but not easy to shape
CU/CUP – Cupro, cellulose fabrics made from cotton linter, similar to rayon in appearance
CV/VI – Viscose or rayon, regenerated cellulose fabrics, mimicking cotton and silk
CTA/TA – Triacetate, textiles made of cellulose acetate, an improved form of acetate, resistant to wrinkles and pleats
Fabric Abbreviations for Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are man-made and synthesized from chemicals. They are durable, affordable, easy to care for, and practical for a wide range of applications. However, they often lack breathability and comfort, and their production has a considerable environmental impact.
AR – Aramid, a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber used in aerospace, military applications, and protective clothing
CL – Chlorofibre, a fiber processed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), resistant to chemicals and used in protective clothing
EA/EL – Elastane (branded name Spandex/Lycra), a highly elastic fiber
- SP – spandex, a branded name of polyamide
FL – Fluorofibre, a fiber with high chemical resistance and low friction, used for technical and protective textiles
PA – Polyamide, a strong, elastic, and versatile fiber, popular in outdoor clothing.
- NY – Nylon, a branded name of polyamide
PAN – Acrylic, textiles of wool-like feel and warmth, resistant to wrinkles and shrinking
PC – Polycarbonate, a strong and transparent thermoplastic polymer used to coat upholstery
PE – Polyethylene, a lightweight and flexible fiber used in various applications, including industrial textiles and technical fabrics
PES/PL – Polyester, versatile textiles manufactured from petroleum-based products, strong and resistant to creases
- DBP – Double Brushed Poly, a type of polyester that has been brushed on both sides for extra softness, commonly used in leggings and other apparel
- PSF – Polyester Staple Fiber, a versatile, durable, and cost-effective poly used in a wide range of textile products, especially as a filler
- SBP – Single Brushed Poly, poly brushed on one side, offering softness and comfort while maintaining the fabric’s structure
PU – Polyurethane, a versatile fiber made by laminating its raw materials, commonly used in waterproof fabrics
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride, a polymer used to make vinyl fabrics, rainwear, and upholstery
TF – Teflon, a branded name for a fluoropolymer used in non-stick and heat-resistant coatings for fabrics
VY – Vinyl, synthetic fabrics made from natural gas and chlorine, resistant to water
Fabric Abbreviations for Blended Fabrics
Blended fabrics combine the desirable qualities of different raw fibers, enhancing fabric texture and appearance while also reducing costs.
AF – Other fiber, a blend with unspecific fibers
CVC – Chief Value of Cotton, a blend of cotton with synthetic fibers, where cotton has the majority content
EME – Elastomultiester, a blend of elastane and polyester
FI – Flax and linen, a blend of linen and flax
HL – Cotton and linen, a blended fabric of cotton and linen fibers
MA – Modacrylic, fabrics of at least 35 percent but less than 85 percent of acrylonitrile, in a wool-like texture and used in wigs and fake furs
ME – Metallic fiber, a blended fiber of metal elements, used for decoration, conductivity, or adding strength to textiles
Other Abbreviations for Textiles
NW – Nonwoven fabrics, a fabric made by neither weaving nor knitting
OM – Organic materials, textiles made from organic materials
SM – Synthetic materials, textiles made from man-made materials
Closing Thoughts
This guide is useful in a variety of everyday situations. Sinosilk is a professional manufacturer of premium textiles and textile products, ready to assist with all your textile-related needs, including daily maintenance and selection advice. Don’t hesitate to contact us for expert help.