What process does 'fraying' refer to?

Fraying refers to the process wherein the fibers of a fabric or material begin to ravel or unravel at the edges or seams. This typically occurs when the outer threads of a woven or knitted fabric become loose, leading to the appearance of individual strands of fibers protruding from the material. This phenomenon is particularly common in textiles and can be a result of wear, washing, or exposure to various elements that compromise the integrity of the fabric.

The other options, while they may relate to different processes or phenomena within materials or textiles, do not accurately describe fraying. Flattening of surfaces pertains to the smoothing out of a material without reference to its fiber structure. Discarding materials relates to waste management or disposal practices and does not involve the physical degradation of a material in terms of its fibers. Loosening bonds suggests a reduction in the force holding components together, but it does not specifically denote the unraveling of fiber that is characteristic of fraying. Therefore, the most accurate representation of fraying is indeed the raveling of fibers.