Application of Technical Textiles

Application of Technical Textiles

Authors: Taha Bin Yahya
Maaz Wasim Khan
Akram Ali
National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Email: tahabinyahya@gmail.com

Technical Textiles:
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.

Application of technical textiles in space

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.

Application of Technical Textiles

SECTOR	EXAMPLES	MARKETS
Earthworks	Linings, netting, insulation, artificial grass (“geo-textiles”)	Construction companies for roads, water engineering, soil stabilization, tunnels and other earthworks
Construction	Insulation and roofing materials (“building textiles”)	Building firms, architects
Agriculture	Sun protection for greenhouses, fishing nets (“agro-textiles”)	Farming, horticulture and fishing
Transport	Car mats and lining, airbags, fire resistant seat covers and carpets, safety belts	Producers of cars, airplanes, boats
Medical and healthcare	Bandages, medical corsetry (“medical textiles”)	Hospitals, nursing homes, households
Protection	Safety nets, ribbons and tapes, fire resistant clothing (“protecting textiles”)	Industry, public procurement, households
Packaging	Twine and cordage, sacks and bags, tarpaulins (“packing textiles”)	Industry, distribution, households
Military and public services	Fire service equipment, bullet-proof jackets, army tents, parachutes, extinguishing blankets, tubes	Military/security, forestry, offshore oil industry
Specialized clothing	Sports, skiing and leisure	Active sports, mountaineering,  households
Communications	Optical fibers, image conductor cables	Communication sector
Industry	Filters, drive and conveyer belts, abrasive belts	Engineering, machinery, chemicals, plastics, mining, energy, etc.
Furnishing	Interlaid scrims, braiding, shower curtains, umbrellas, parasols, deck chairs, textile wall papers	Decoration firms, households

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