Technical Fabrics explained
20-04-2023
You may be wondering what’s Technical about Technical Fabrics. In this article we explain what fabrics are and what the difference is between Technical Fabrics and “Normal” fabrics.
Fabrics and knits
Fabrics refer to materials made by weaving or knitting, crocheting, or bonding fibres of yarns together. Fabrics are used to create a wide range of products, from clothing and curtains to tents and covers. Fabrics can be made from natural fibres, such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen, or synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. There are also blends of natural and synthetic fibres.
Fabrics come in various weights, textures, and patterns, depending on the type of fibre used, the weaving or knitting technique, and any dyeing or printing processes that are applied. The choice of fabric can have a significant impact on the functionality, appearance, and durability of a finished product.
The weight or thickness of fabrics are measured in Decitex (or Denier). Specifically, it refers to the mass in grams of a single filament or yarn with a length of 10.000 meters. The term "decitex" is derived from the words "deci," meaning one-tenth, and "tex," which is a unit of linear mass density equal to one gram per 1.000 meters. Decitex is useful in the textile industry as it provides a standardized way of measuring the density of fibres and yarns, which is important for determining the quality and performance of textile products.
What are Technical Fabrics?
What makes a fabric “Technical”? In short you could say that technical fabrics are specially designed textiles that are engineered to possess specific functional properties beyond their aesthetic qualities. These properties can include breathability, UV protection, water resistance, insulation, flame resistance and more. Technical fabrics are used in a wide range of applications, including outdoor clothing, workwear, marine safety equipment sports equipment, medical textiles, tents and industrial textiles.
What makes technical fabrics "technical" is their ability to provide unique and advanced performance features that are not found in traditional fabrics. These fabrics are created using advanced manufacturing processes and specialized materials, such as synthetic fibres, coatings, laminates, and membranes, that enable them to perform specific functions.
For example, a fabric designed for outdoor use may be made with a water-resistant coating to repel rain and snow, while a fabric intended for life jackets may be engineered to endure in salt water conditions and can be welded air tight. Technical fabrics can also incorporate additional features, such as anti-microbial, fire resistant or water repellent properties, to enhance their functionality.
In summary, technical fabrics are textiles that have been specifically designed and engineered to provide advanced functional properties that go beyond their appearance, making them more effective and useful in specific applications.