Authors: Taha Bin Yahya Maaz Wasim Khan Akram Ali
National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Email: tahabinyahya@gmail.com
Technical Textiles:
Textiles are divided into clothing, household fabrics, and technical textiles. Clothing and household fabrics (curtains, textile wallpaper, upholstery fabrics, carpet, and floor coverings) seem to be easily defined. Technical and industrial textiles relate both to kinds of products and to the application of textiles to particular uses. Examples of technical textiles products are high tenacity yarns, or special elastic or coated fabrics, all of which have high technology content.
As far as industrial applications are concerned, textile-based articles can offer considerable performance advantages compared to other materials. For example, the pressure suits for astronauts, the cold- and water-resistant suits for divers, and the protective apparel of steel workers do not belong to the group of clothing; they are technical textiles.
Fig: Different application of technical textiles
The sector of technical textile has experienced a spectacular increase during last years. Technical textiles consumption has increased worldwide by about >20% in volume. Cars and the transport industry, furniture, medical applications, clothing and construction are important users of technical and industrial textiles.
Given that innovation in new materials, processes and products is an inherent feature of this sub-sector, expenditure on research and development (R&D) is higher in this field than for conventional textiles (reaching up to 8-10% of turnover, compared to the industrial average of 3-5%). In the development of fibers, yarns and fabrics, functional aspects – such as anti-bacterial, anti-static, UV protective, thermal, or biodegradable functions – are playing an increasingly important role. Performance requirements and technical specifications determine the success of a product. Usually, technical textiles are created in a close relationship between the producer and the consumer so as to ensure tailor-made solutions to specific user purposes.
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
