Protech (Protective Textiles)

Textiles used in protective clothing which keeps the wearer

safe from harms in the workplace or environment.
Other than normal wear that provides the necessary amount
of protection, when more protection is needed, it can come
from blends, novel fibers, coatings and laminates and novel
textile structures.
Primary goal is more functional; protection against hazards
but still maintains a certain level of design & comfort.
Hazards:
Protection against cuts, abrasion, ballistic and severe
impacts like stab wounds, explosions and extreme hazard,
hazardous dust and particles, biological and chemical
agents, high voltages and static electricity, foul weather,
extreme cold, poor visibility.
Applications:
Cut resistant gloves (eg. Used in the Glass Industry)
Bullet Impact (Military, Security, Law Enforcement eg. Kevlar
Vests)
Rock climbing safety ropes, Climbing harness
High temperature resistant clothing (Firefighter Apparel)
Army Tents
Astronaut Suits

Sporttech (Sports Textiles)

Textiles used in sportswear, sports equipment, performance
clothing and footwear for sports.
Sportswear: - Can have both aesthetic and function
requirements.
Aesthetic requirements: Surface Texture, Handle, Luster
and Color Intensity
Functional requirements: Lightweight, High Tenacity,
Elongation, Low resistance to fluid transmission, Vapor
permeability,
Thermal Regulation, UV degradation resistance, Sweat
absorbing ability and fast drying/ evaporation.
Applications:
Sports wear (eg. Coolmax, Hygra)
Sports shoes/ Running shoes (eg. Kevlar)
Artificial turfs (lawn, grass) used in sports surfaces.
Racquet, Cycle Frames, Golf clubs, Fishing rods, Fishing Line
(Advanced carbon fiber composites) (Fishing rods can be of
Aramid origin and Fishing Lines being made of Dyneema)
Balloon fabrics, parachute fabrics, paragliding fabrics and
sail cloth.

Moisture Management in Sporttech

The ability of a garment to transport moisture away from the
skin to the outer surface of the garment. Moisture is
transported through wicking and capillary action.
Hydrophilic fibers are more moisture absorbent than
hydrophobic fibers.
Factors that affect wicking of moisture:
Fiber Type
Weave or Cloth Construction
GSM or thickness
Presence of Chemicals (eg. Coatings and Laminates)
Synthetics are preferred for sportswear as they dont retain
water/ moisture like natural fibers do which would otherwise
lead to a damp and heavy garment.
Synthetics also offer quick drying and good shape retention
properties.
Multilayered fabrics or Push-Pull fabrics- Involves a
hydrophobic material on the inside and a hydrophilic
material on the outside. The hydrophilic material draws the
moisture away from the skin through and the hydrophobic
material ultimately keeps the skin dry.
Special fibers used in sportswear:
Hygra
Dacron (4-Channel Polyester)
Coolmax
AdvanSA and Lenzing have produced fabrics that have PES
Coolmax to be worn against the skin and absorbent cellulosic

Tencel fiber, with a natural touch, to be worn on the outer face

of the fabric.
(Hydrophillic + Hydrophobic combined construction)

Coolmax:

(No. of filaments exceeds the denier)

Coolmax, trademark of Invista, is a moisture wicking
technical fiber developed by DuPont Textiles and
Interiors (now Invista).
These PES fibers improve breathability and help the
wick away or draw moisture away from the skin through
capillary action and increase evaporation over a wider
surface area.
Structure:
These PES fibers are not round by quite
rectangular with grooves running lengthwise along
the fiber.
Tetrachannel or Hexachannel
These closely spaced channels create capillary
action that wicks moisture though the core and to
a wider area on the surface of the fabric which
allows for easy evaporation.
Applications include:Sportswear, Climbing Gear, Underwear, Mattress
covers and Bed sheets.
They offer resistance to fading, shrinking and
wrinkling. They are often woven with other
materials like Cotton, Spandex, Tencel and Wool.

AdvanSAs moisture management polyester fiber, Coolmax

has both 4 and 6 channel variations, with an increased
surface area to promote moisture wicking.
Why choose Coolmax?
For staying dry, cool and comfortable when you start to
perspire.
Sweating is one of the bodys mechanisms to stay cool
so Coolmax fabric helps wick this moisture away and
help stay dry and energized.
How does it work?
Pulls moisture away from the skin.
Helps spread this moisture out across the fabric to
increase the rate of evaporative drying.
Air moves in to keep the body cool and dry
Moisture management + Breathability = Total Comfort
Easy care- machine washable and dryable.
Energy saving- quick drying which reduces the use of a
dryer. Just hang to dry.
Comfort- Keeps chill and dry skin- Inducing perspiration
away from the skin and moves it to the outer layers for
evaporation.

Textiles used in Moisture Management

Clothtech (Clothing Components)

Fibers, yarns and textiles that are used as trimmings in
clothing.
Eg. Sewing thread, interlinings, wadding and insulation.

They dont necessarily include main outer or lining fabrics

nor do they cover protective clothing.
Ensures accurate fit and optimum comfort of the garment.
Stretchability, Resistance to Shrinkage, Durability during
washing- all of these add value to the garment.
Most sophisticated materials include: Temperature dependent phase change materials
incorporated into insulation products that give a certain
degree of control and resistance during extreme
temperatures (hot or cold).
Applications:

Sewing thread
Interlinings
Wadding and insulation
Velcro
Zippers
Shoe laces
Drawstring

Buildtech (Building and Construction)

Textiles or composite materials used to construct permanent
and temporary buildings and structures.
They have replaced steel due to:
Heat conduction (Thermal conductivity)
Rusting/ corrosion
Heavy weight

 Textiles are used in the construction of:

o Concrete reinforcement
o Interior construction
o Insulations
o Roofing materials
o Air conditioning systems
o Noise and vibration prevention
o Tarpaulins
o Sun blinds
o Awnings
o Stadium dome
o Soundproof liners
o Swimming pool liners
o Wall coverings
Applications:
Temporary structures like Tents, Awnings and Canopies
(Proofed heavy cotton or lighter, rot- sunlight and
weatherproof (or fireproof) synthetics are used)
Architectural Membranes- Sports Stadia + Exhibition Center
Domes and other Modern Buildings
Cotton Canvas Tarpaulins
HDPE Tarpaulins
Floor and Wall coverings
Non woven glass and PES used in Roofing Applications
Breathable textile membranes used to prevent moisture
penetration through walls.
Fibers and textiles used in building and equipment insulation
(Glass Fiber replacing Asbestos).
Modern roofing and buildings are lines with special
nonwovens to prevent moisture condensation and dripping.
Double wall spacer fabrics are filled with materials that
provide sound and thermal insulation or serve as lightweight
cores for composite materials.

 In Japan, Carbon Fiber can be used as reinforcement for

earthquake prone buildings.
Textiles used in construction operations like Safety netting,
Lifting and Tensioning Ropes.

Geotech (Geoextiles)
Tarmac, Overlay Fabric, Drainage Fabric, Erosion Control
Fabric, Geomembrane Protection Fabric, Reinforcement
Fabrics, Subsurface Stabilization Fabrics etc.
Manufactured fiber products of different fabrics constructions
used in civil engineering applications.
A permeable geotextile is made up solely of textiles. They
are used with foundation, soil, earth, rock or any other

geotechnical engineering related structure to form an

integral part of a human project, structure or system.
Applications:

Separation
Reinforcement
Filtration
Drainage
Fluid Barrier

Hometech (Home Textiles)

Home furnishing fabrics. Eg.
Carpet Backings (Woven Fabrics)
Curtains
Wall Coverings
Both Natural and Synthetic fibers used.
Loose fibers in wadding and Fiberfill applications.
Hollow fibers with excellent insulating properties are used in
bedding and sleeping bags.

 Fibers treated with Flame retardant finish replace foams in

furniture and decorative furnishings.
Curtain header tapes (Nonwovens like Spunbondeds)
Mops and Dusters (Drylaid and Hydroentangled Products)
Applications:
Carpet Backings
Beddings, Mattress, Pillow components (eg. Stuffing or Pillow
case), Sleeping bags
Furniture
Curtains/ Blinds
Mops
Vacuum Cleaner- Filter Cloth used inside
Mosquito nets (Warp Knitted)
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Filters Nonwoven
Indutech (Industrial Textiles)
Textiles having direct used in industrial processes. Eg.
Filters
Conveyor Belts
Abrasive Belts
Reinforcements for printed circuit boards, seals and
other industrial equipment
Teflon coated outer surface of Steam Heated Cylinders
used in Textile Mills.

Applications:

 Conveyor Belts for instance (Used in the industry for power

transmission) needs strength and stretch properties of the
belt.
The carcass fabric is an open weave fabric (woven), being
bonded together.
An adhesive called skim is applied between layers stacking
from 6 to 8. This adhesive improves their adhesion.
Requirements of the Carcass fabric and Skim:
High Strength
Shape Retention
Abrasion Resistance
UV light resistance

Driving Belts
Ropes
Filtration Products
Cigarette Filters- Made from Cellulose Acetate

Meditech (Medical Textiles)

Textiles used for medical purposes. Products include textile
material used in: Hygiene
Health
Personal Care
Surgical Applications
Knitted, Woven and Nonwovens
Classification of Medical Textiles:
Non-Implantable Materials- Wound Dressings,
Bandages, Plaster, Gauze, Wipes, Swabs

 Implantable Materials- Sutures , Artificial

Ligaments, Veins and Arteries, Skin Replacement,
Orthopedic Pads, Vascular Grafts
(PET being unreactive and non-toxic is ideal as
tubing used to repair damaged blood vessels in
heart bypass operations.
PET tube can be inserted into the weakened
section of a blood vessel.
Its also used as a skin substitute for people
suffering severe burns.)
Extra Coporeal Devices- Artificial Heart, Kidney,
Joint, Mechanical Lung, Hollow Fibers for Dialysis
Machines.
Hygiene/ Healthcare- Wipes, Babies Diapers
(nappies), Adults sanitary products (Adult Diapers),
Operating Gowns and Drapes, Bedding,
Sterilization Packs.
Oekotech (Ecological Protection Textiles)
Eco-friendly textiles used for protection of the environment.
Technical textiles for protection of the environment and
ecology. Eg.

Erosion Protection
Air Cleaning
Lowering Water Pollution
Waste Water Treatment
Recycling of Waste

Landfill Waste Management, involves using geosynthetic

products to prevent leakage of hazardous waste.

 Secondary protection in Chemical/ Oil Industries (Ground

covers are provided around process tanks incase of a leak)
For areas including Industrial textiles (Filtration Media),
Geotextiles (Erosion Control and Sealing of Toxic Waste),
Agricultural Textiles (Minimizing water loss from plants and
reducing the need for herbicides by providing a mulch to the
plants).
Reduced weight in transport and construction can save
materials and energy.
Recycling not only in packaging but also for products like
cars.

Applications:
Filtration Media (Industrial Textiles)
Erosion Control
Sealing of Toxic Waste (Geotextiles)

Packtech (Packaging and Containment Textiles)

Flexible packaging materials used for industrial and
agricultural applications. Its also used for consumer goods.
Eg.
Synthetic bags for industrial packaging
Jute sackings for packaging food grains
Textiles used for manufacturing bags and sacks
(traditionally cotton and jute but now replaced by PP)

(Strength, regularity, efficient handling techniques have

made synthetics the better choice for packaging)
Storage and distribution of powdered and granular
materials like Sand, Cement, Sugar, Fertilizer, Flour to
even Dyestuffs)
Light weight Nonwovens and Knitted Structures have
wrapping and protection applications in the food
industry.
Tea and Coffee bags are Wet-Laid Nonwovens.
Meats, Vegetables and Fruits and packed with a
Nonwoven insert to absorb liquids. Others use Knitted
net packaging.
Woven strappings are less dangerous to cut that metal
bands and wires traditionally used for densely packed
bales.

Applications:
Polyolefin Woven Sacks
Leno Bags- Warp Knitted
Tea and Coffee Bags- Nonwoven
Jute Hessian and Sacks
Wrapping fabric
Smart Textiles (Intelligent Textiles)
Materials and structures (Textiles) that are able to sense and
react to environmental conditions or some sort of stimuli
(mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical or others).

 Classification of Smart Textiles:

Passive Smart
Active Smart
Ultra smart
Passive Smart Textiles:First Generation of Smart Textiles. These only
sense environmental conditions or stimuli. Eg.
Optical Fibers embedded in fabrics to give
Conductive Fabrics.
UV- Protective clothing (UV Finished)
Multilayered composite yarn and textiles
Plasma Treated Clothing
Ceramic Coated Textiles
Conductive Fibers
Fibers with Optical Sensors

How they work:-

 Active Smart Textiles:Second Generation of Smart Textiles. They have

both actuators and sensors.
Actuators depend on the signal detected directly or
from a central control unit.
They can be fabrics that have the following attributes:
- Shape Memory
- Chameleonic
- Water Resistant
- Vapour Permeable (Hydrophilic and Nonporous)
- Heat storage
- Thermo regulated
- Vapour absorbing
- Heat evolving
- Electrically Heated suits
Phase Change Materials (PCM), Shape Memory
Materials (SMM), Heat Sensitive Dyes (HSD) in textiles
are Active Smart Textiles.
Ultra Smart Textiles:Third Generation of Smart Textiles. They can
Sense, React and Adapt to Environmental
conditions or Stimuli.
They are the Highest Level of Smart Textiles.
Eg.
They work like a brain- with cognition,
reasoning and activated capacities.
Used for electronic devices; embedding the
entire system into fabrics, clothing and
accessories.
Used during Combat

 Keep comfortable during Extreme Weather

Conditions.
Smart Clothes
Wearable Computers
Musical Jackets
Lighting and Performance Costumes

(Electronic Textiles)
The Smart Shirt
Georgia Tech developed- Wearable Motherboard or Smart
Shirt manufactured for Combat Applications.
Optical Fibers used to detect the presence of bullets
Medical sensors attached to the computerized shirt helps
monitor health conditions.

 Analyzes and determines whether immediate attention is

needed during the first hour of Combat.
Sensors added depend entirely on the wears needs. For
instance, fire-fighter would need sensors that give a measure
of oxygen or hazardous gas levels.
Other sensors measure respiration rate and body
temperature.

The Sensory Baby Vest

A vest equipped with sensors that constantly keeps track of
vital functions
Eg. Heart rate, Lungs (Respiration), Skin and Body
Temperaure.
Sensors are attached in a safe way that they dont in anyway
pinch or irritate the infant.

Chromic Materials
Also known as Camouflage fibers or Chameleon fibers as
they change their colors according to external conditions.
Chromic materials are classified depending on the stimuli
affecting them:
o Photochromic: external stimuli energy is Light
o Thermochromic: external stimuli energy is Heat
o Electrochromic: external stimuli energy is Electricity
o Piezochromic: external stimuli energy is Pressure

o Solvatochromic: external stimuli energy is Liquid

o Carsolchromic: external stimuli energy is Electron Beam
Used in fashion to create color changing designs.
Chromic materials radiate color, erase the color or just
change it because of its induction caused by the external
stimuli.
Can be used in bars, nightclubs and late night events.
In terms of clothing and apparel, they can be used for lab
gloves.
Radiation badges that change color according to the level of
radiation a person may be exposed to- eg. During X-ray
scanning.
Used for medical tests eg. Thermochromic materials used to
monitor body temperature.
Used in Military applications for defense camouflage.

Phase Change Materials (PCMs)

A Hydrophilic compound applied to a fiber or fabric which

results in superior Breathability and Moisture Management
System within the fabric which helps to keep a comfortable
body temperature when the garment is worn.
A Paraffin PCM for instance:-

 Paraffin is a substance that absorbs about 200 kJ per

kilogram of heat that goes into melting it. (Absorption
of heat: Endothermic Reaction)
A high amount of heat absorbed by the paraffin is
released to the surrounding area during the cooling
process beginning at its crystallization temperature. (As
it cools, giving off heat--- this being the other process of
cooling)
During melting (Applying heat to it), the PCM
temperature and the surrounding temperature stays
constant. Excess heat generated by the body gets
absorbed by the paraffin as well during its melting
process.
Thats right. Energy applied to convert paraffin from
solid to liquid still stays stored in the liquid paraffin ----a special phenomenon of paraffin.
As excess heat is taken away from the body, the
undesired temperature increase thats bound to occur
with the normal heating process doesnt occur. Same
being true for the crystallization process.
During crystallization of the paraffin, the temperature of
the PCM doesnt change either. This way the high heat
transfer during the melting process now makes the PCM
a heat storage device.

Meaning at night the temperature drops and this liquid

paraffin now turns back to solid and this formerly stored
energy gets dissipated to the article being worn, giving
warmth.

(Cold temperature isnt only during the night; it can be under cold
climate regions as well).
This process only occurs over a specific temperature
range for a specific PCM.
Conditioning is definitely required before use due to its
usage under different temperatures/ climates.
In their application, the paraffins are either in solid or
liquid state. To prevent their dissolution (while in liquid
state), it is microencapsulated (dia of the capsules
being a few microns).
These microcapsules are either permanently locked in
fibers and polyurethane foams OR coated onto the
surface of the textile substrate.
For the first case, generally the weft yarns are hollow
yarns used with the microcapsules being contained
inside them.
Paraffin (Solid at 22C)
Paraffin (Melting point or Liquid at 38C)

Book version:

o Microencapsulation in PCMs were originally developed for

NASA astronauts garments, that buffers temperature
swings, absorbing excess heat when the wearer is active and
releasing heat when the wearer begins to cool down.
o This is based on Microencapsulated Latent Heat Storer,
based on Paraffin Wax.
o Its a phenomenon that occurs when wax changed from solid
to liquid. During this phase change, a large amount of
thermal energy/ heat (Latent Heat) is absorbed without the
temperature of the material changing.
o A Balanced Body Climate is achieved as the paraffin in
liquid form also absorbs the excess body heat of the wearer
during its melting process. This way the wearer feels cooler.
o Once the wax re-crystallizes under a colder temperature, it
again changes from liquid to solid (Bond making,
Exothermic), and gives off this previously stored thermal
energy to provide the wearer with warmth.

Applications of PCMs:
Daily Apparel like Smart Jackets, Vests, Hats, Gloves,
Rainwear
Outdoor Active Wear Apparel: Jackets and Jacket Linings,
Shoes, Socks

Shape Memory Materials (SMMs)

Depending on Stimuli, they are classified as:

- Attaining different shapes under different
temperatures
- Attaining different shapes due to being an electro
active polymer influenced by an electrical stimuli
SMMs deform from their current shape to a newly formed
one that has set. Once activated by a specific temperature,
Air Gaps between layers of clothing increase, providing
better insulation under cold climates.
Temperature at which these SMMs change shape has to be
near room temperature.
Shape Memory Allows like Nickel + Titanium provide
protection against heat. Temperature of activation can be
chosen by adjusting the ratio of Nickel to Titanium.

Shape Memory Polymers are more flexible than the alloys.

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (PU) films/ foams can be put
between layers of fabric.
At low temperature, film responds by making the Air Gap
between the film and layers of cloth Broader.

Similarly this deformation is reversed under high

temperatures.
Some alloys are capable of Two Way Activation, stimuli of
this being Varying Climate or Physical Activity.