Textiles
A) Natural fibres - Cotton, Linen, Wool
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Cotton - Cotton fibres are natural hollow fibres, they are soft, cool, known as breathable fibres and absorbent. Cotton fibres can hold water 24–27 times their own weight. They are strong, dye absorbent and can stand up against abrasion wear and high temperature. In one word, cotton is comfortable. Since cotton wrinkles, mixing it with polyester or applying some permanent finish gives the proper properties to cotton garments. Cotton fibres are often blended with other fibres such as nylon, linen, wool, and polyester, to achieve the best properties of each fibre.
Linen - Linen is a flax-based textile that is predominantly used for homeware applications. While linen is similar to cotton, it is made from fibres derived from the stems of the flax plant instead of the bolls that grow around cotton seeds.
Garments made of linen are desirable in hot and humid climates. Unlike cotton, which tends to retain moisture for a significant period of time, linen dries quickly, which helps reduce heat retention in overly warm conditions.
Manufacturing linen, however, is much more time and resource-intensive than making cotton, which has led to a steady reduction in popularity of this fabric that began with the invention of the cotton gin. Nevertheless, the unique desirable attributes of linen have prevented the total cessation of global production of this textile, and certain countries, such as China, continue to make linen in reasonably large quantities.
Garments made of linen are desirable in hot and humid climates. Unlike cotton, which tends to retain moisture for a significant period of time, linen dries quickly, which helps reduce heat retention in overly warm conditions.
Manufacturing linen, however, is much more time and resource-intensive than making cotton, which has led to a steady reduction in popularity of this fabric that began with the invention of the cotton gin. Nevertheless, the unique desirable attributes of linen have prevented the total cessation of global production of this textile, and certain countries, such as China, continue to make linen in reasonably large quantities.
Wool - Click here to explore the wonderful properties of wool:
Look at the properties of wool as well as 'The Innovator' video
Look at the properties of wool as well as 'The Innovator' video
B) Manmade Fibres - Nylon, Polypropylene, Polyester
Man made fibres generally come from oil so there are environmental issues in the production but compared to natural resources they are more readily available. They are produced easily into a into a thread.
Nylon - Nylon fibres are exceptionally strong and elastic and stronger than polyester fibres. The fibres have excellent toughness, abrasion resistance, and are easy to wash, and to dye in a wide range of colours. The filament yarns provide a smooth, soft, and lightweight fabric of high resilience.
Nylon is used in the garment and home furnishing industry. However, due to its higher price and lesser wrinkle resistance, it has been replaced by polyester in many garment products. Yet, it remains an important fibre for more demanding applications, including tire cords, ropes, seat belts, hoses, conveyer belts, carpets, parachutes, racket strings, sleeping bags, tents, and various civil engineering materials.
Nylon is used in the garment and home furnishing industry. However, due to its higher price and lesser wrinkle resistance, it has been replaced by polyester in many garment products. Yet, it remains an important fibre for more demanding applications, including tire cords, ropes, seat belts, hoses, conveyer belts, carpets, parachutes, racket strings, sleeping bags, tents, and various civil engineering materials.
Polyester - Polyester tends to be an inexpensive fabric, because it comes from artificial rather than natural sources. Therefore, its components are not subjected to nature's extremes, such as drought or storms. Polyester is durable, and it stretches, making it hard to tear. It does not shrink or crease easily. On the other hand, the material tends to be shiny, which is not always a desired characteristic. Removing stains is often difficult. Polyester fabric is recyclable. During this process, little water is required, and toxic chemicals used are recycled back into the system. The re-manufactured fabric has the same quality as the original material.
The colour of polyester does not fade quickly in the sun. The fabric is easy to dye. Because it is not an organic substance, it is resistant to mildew. Polyester also resists shrinking, so it holds its shape well. Many, though not all, types of polyester are machine-washable.
One of the biggest drawbacks of polyester is that it does not breathe. Perspiration and heat are trapped next to the skin. Wearers often feel sticky and clammy in humid weather. Polyester is often considered less comfortable than natural fabrics.
Polyester fabric comes in several variations, including knits and jerseys. Some manufacturers create polyester material that resembles cotton or silk
The colour of polyester does not fade quickly in the sun. The fabric is easy to dye. Because it is not an organic substance, it is resistant to mildew. Polyester also resists shrinking, so it holds its shape well. Many, though not all, types of polyester are machine-washable.
One of the biggest drawbacks of polyester is that it does not breathe. Perspiration and heat are trapped next to the skin. Wearers often feel sticky and clammy in humid weather. Polyester is often considered less comfortable than natural fabrics.
Polyester fabric comes in several variations, including knits and jerseys. Some manufacturers create polyester material that resembles cotton or silk
Polypropylene - The main benefit of polypropylene as a fabric is its moisture transfer abilities; this textile cannot absorb any moisture, and instead, moisture passes through polypropylene fabric entirely.
This attribute allows moisture that is exuded while wearing a polypropylene garment to evaporate much more quickly than it would with a moisture-retaining garment. Therefore, this fabric is popular in textiles that are worn close to the skin. However, polypro has a tendency to absorb and retain body odors when it is used for undergarments, and it also melts at relatively low temperatures. Molten polypro fabric can cause serious burns, and this issue also makes it impossible to wash this fabric at high temperatures.
Polypropylene fabric is one of the lightest synthetic fibres in existence, and it is incredibly resistant to most acids and alkalis.in addition, the thermal conductivity of this substance is lower than that of most synthetic fibres, which means that it is ideally suited for cold weather wear.
This attribute allows moisture that is exuded while wearing a polypropylene garment to evaporate much more quickly than it would with a moisture-retaining garment. Therefore, this fabric is popular in textiles that are worn close to the skin. However, polypro has a tendency to absorb and retain body odors when it is used for undergarments, and it also melts at relatively low temperatures. Molten polypro fabric can cause serious burns, and this issue also makes it impossible to wash this fabric at high temperatures.
Polypropylene fabric is one of the lightest synthetic fibres in existence, and it is incredibly resistant to most acids and alkalis.in addition, the thermal conductivity of this substance is lower than that of most synthetic fibres, which means that it is ideally suited for cold weather wear.
Explore the difference between Nylon and Polyester - click here
C) Textile Treatments
Flame retardant is a liquid substance applied to the surface of a fabric to prevent or reduce flammability by providing increased resistance to ignition and delay the spread of fire. This allows more time in the early phase to either extinguish or escape the fire. However all fabrics will burn, the treated material will resist flames considerably well compared to non-treated fabrics. This is often a clear, odourless, water based flame retardant solution on the face of the fabric which bonds the non-toxic coating into the textile fibres forming a protective shield to prevent rapid spread of flames.
Some treatments can be used on a range of interior furnishings and most materials as it does not change the fabrics original handle, texture or colour. Any treated fabrics can be dry cleaned only due to the water soluble nature of chemicals. Face fabrics must comply with British Fire Regulations if you are using in a commercial setting. We suggest treating the face of the fabric first before lamination with a Fire Retardant treatment which acts as a fire barrier to minimise the flame spread.
Fabrics must meet British flammability standards for commercial applications such as:
Some treatments can be used on a range of interior furnishings and most materials as it does not change the fabrics original handle, texture or colour. Any treated fabrics can be dry cleaned only due to the water soluble nature of chemicals. Face fabrics must comply with British Fire Regulations if you are using in a commercial setting. We suggest treating the face of the fabric first before lamination with a Fire Retardant treatment which acts as a fire barrier to minimise the flame spread.
Fabrics must meet British flammability standards for commercial applications such as:
Restaurants - Event Halls - Hotels - Theatres - Bars - Schools / University - Retail - Cruise Ships - Clubs - Offices - Airports - Yachts
All natural compositions such as silk, cotton, linen and wool once treated produce better results due to the absorbency, therefore meeting flammability standards.Treating synthetic fibres can be more challenging as they are non-absorbent such as acetates, acrylic and nylons. A blend of natural and synthetic fibres with a higher percentage of natural fibre would be much more effective to meet standards.
PTFE - this is commonly known as Teflon. Many modern outdoor clothing and outdoor equipment items will have been coated with a Teflon protector by their manufacturers. Basically, Teflon fabric protector is an invisible shield that repels water, liquids and soil from appropriate outdoor garments, items or equipment .