Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Microscopic analysis of the cross-sectional shape of textile fibers is a reliable method for fiber identification.
Each natural and synthetic fiber displays a characteristic cross-sectional profile determined by its biological growth or manufacturing process.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the cross-sectional shapes of the listed fibers:
Cotton: Displays a flat, twisted ribbon-like or kidney/bean-shaped cross-section with a central hollow canal called the lumen.
Tencel (Lyocell): A regenerated cellulose fiber produced via solvent spinning, which yields a smooth, uniform, and circular cross-section.
Wool: Typically displays a circular to slightly oval cross-section containing three distinct layers (cuticle, cortex, and sometimes medulla).
Linen (Flax): A natural bast fiber obtained from the stem of the flax plant.
Under a microscope, individual flax fibers appear as long, polygonal (usually five- or six-sided) cells with rounded edges and a small, distinct central lumen.
This polygonal shape allows the fibers to pack closely together in the plant stem, providing structural rigidity.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The fiber with a polygonal cross-section with rounded edges is Linen.