Technical Textiles

Technical Textiles-Industry Definition

§ “Textile materials and products manufactured primarily

for their technical performance and functional properties
rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.”

Textile terms and definitions

The Textile Institute
 Introduc)on  
• Existence  of  Tex-le  industry  dates  back  to  several  thousand  years  
ago,  clothing  being  one  of  the  primary  need  of  human  being.    
•   However,   Technical   Tex)les,   the   way   in   which   we   perceive   this  
term  today,  are  quite  younger  than  tradi)onal  tex)les.  
•  Last  two  decades  have  seen  tremendous  growth  in  the  applica-on  
of   fibrous   materials   in   the   nonconven-onal   sectors   like   protec-ve  
clothing,   medical   products,   automo-ve   components,   geotex-les,  
building  materials,  sports  and  so  on.    
•These   newer   applica-on   requirements   led   to   phenomenal  
developments   in   the   area   of   polymers,   fibres   and   downstream  
processes  to  meet  the    challenges.  
•  In  the  tex-le  industry,  technical  tex-les  are  the  most  dynamic  one  
and  are  promising  areas  for  the  future  of  tex-le  industry.    
 How  different  technical  tex)les  are  from  non-­‐technical  tex)les?  

Technical  tex)les      Tradi)onal  tex)les  

1)  Used  usually  in  non-­‐tex-le  industries/applica-on  1)      Used  in  clothing  and  home  furnishing  
2)  Designed  to  perform  heavy  duty  and      2)      No  such  stringent  requirement,  rather                                  
demanding  applica-ons                    aesthe-cs,  comfort  are  highly  desired  
3)  Generally  high  performance  fibres,  yarns,  chemicals    3)      Conven-onal  fibres,  yarns  etc.  are  used                  
are  used  to  meet  the  requirements                                
4)  Special  methods  and  specially  built  machineries                  4)    Regular  machineries  are  capable  to  produce              
are  required  to  manufacture  these                                                    required  product    construc-on  

5)  New  test  methods  and  procedures  have  been    5)          Conven-onal  test  methods  are                
developed  to  characterize  these  products  with  greater                    sufficient  to  evaluate  these  materials              
accuracy  and  also  modeling  of  field  condi-ons  and                                                                                                                                                                        
computer  aided  design  systems  are  being  used  to  
determine  performance.  
6)  Expected  to  last  longer      6)        Life  expectancy  is  shorter  compara-vely  
7)  Cost  is  very  high        7)          Compara-vely  cheaper.  
 What are Technical Textiles ?
§ Technical Textiles are value-added textile products that
provide added functionality and applications other than
regular fiber-to-fashion supply chain products

§ These technical textiles encompass high performance

fibers, yarns, woven, knitted, nonwoven, braided and
composite structures
 Technical Textiles –Simple
Understanding

§ Technical textiles can be any fibrous material and their

combination with other items which have NON-
APPAREL applications, excluding paper
 WHAT  ARE  TECHNICAL  TEXTILES?  
• Tex-le  Terms  and  Defini-ons  defines  technical  tex-les  as  under  
“Technical   Tex)les   are   tex)le   materials   and   products  
manufactured   primarily   for   their   technical   and   performance  
proper)es   rather   than   their   aesthe)c   or   decora)ve  
characteris)cs.”  
•   Eg.   Filter   fabrics,   Geo-­‐tex-les,   Medical   products,   protec-ve  
clothing,   tyre   cord,   composites   in   aerospace   and   body   panels   of  
automo-ves  etc.  
•Such   narrow   descrip)on,   however,   constricts   the   scope   of  
technical   tex)les   since   there   are   tex)le   products   that   combine   the  
duo,  i.e.  performance  and  aesthe)c  or  decora)ve  proper)es.  

•Eg.      Flame  retardant  furnishings,  Breathable  leisurewear      

 WHY TECHNICAL TEXTILES?
• The   areas   in   various   industries   where   other   technical   products,  
like   steel,   were   being   used   for   centuries   together,   technical  
tex)les   could   make   their   foray   to   replace   these   conven)onal  
materials  due  to  the  very  advantages  offered.    
• Advantages   of   technical   tex)les   over   conven-onally   used  
technical   products   used   in   the   industry   are   Flexibility,   Elas)city,  
Strength  and  Design  possibili)es  
• Eg.     Tyre   cord   fabric,   a   tex-le   construc-on   provides   75%   of  
 total  strength  of  automo-ve  tyre.  
    Tex-le   structural   composite   parts   used   in   automo-ve,  
  aerospace,   civil   and   mechanical   engineering   applica-ons     are    
lighter  in  weight  and  stronger  than  steel.  
 Current Status of Indian Textile
Industry
§ India’s current textile and apparel market size is estimated to be USD
90 billion

§ It is projected to reach USD 220 billion by 2020

§ Adequate focus on value-addition and

value-enhancement will enable India to
be a textile power house
Global Nonwoven Market Scenario
 Global Market for Nonwovens
Global nonwovens consumption was
estimated to be 161.3 billion (square
meters) in 2010 and is projected to be
250.4 billion (square meters) by 2015,
with a CAGR of 9.2%

Source: The Future of Nonwovens to 2015: Global Market Forecasts, New PIRA International Market Report,
http://www.smitherspira.com/core/downloaddoc.aspx?documentid=4971
 Global Market for Medical Nonwovens

Majority of the market

will be driven by
increased demand for
wound care, adult
incontinence and
health care wipes

§

Source: The Future of Medical Nonwovens to 2018, New PIRA International Market Report,
https://www.smithersapex.com/market-reports/nonwovens/medical-nonwovens-industry-forecasts.aspx
 Worldwide: Demand for Technical Textiles

“Asia Pacific Region

Real Power Engine for Global
Technical Textiles Market ”

Source: IFAI Specialty Fabrics Review, February 2012 and Transparency Market Research, USA, July 5, 2013
 Asia’s Influence on the Global Technical
Textiles Market
Key Key
Markets Sectors

China Automotive
Asian Technical
Textiles Market Share
India in Global Technical Infrastructure
Textiles Market

South In 2011, 45% Agriculture

Korea
In 2018, 61%
(expected) Protective textiles
Taiwan

Medical & Health

Care
Source: IFAI
 Technical Textile Scenario in India
§ Technical textiles consumption in India is one-fifth of total
Asian consumption

§ Employs about 800,000 people (2011) and 55% of

employment needs technically skilled manpower

§  Employment  is  expected  to  grow  at  an  annual  rate  of  13%  to  reach  
2.6  million  by  2016-­‐17
 Technical Textile Scenario in India
§ Indian nonwoven textile production is just 3% of Asian
production

§ Technical  Tex-les  Sector  in  India  to  Reach  $  26  Billion  

 
§ Expected annual growth rate- 20%
 India vs. USA Per Capita Nonwoven/TT
Consumption (2005-2050)

GDP per capita source: World Bank

India: Technical Textile Scenario
2007-2017
 Why Then the Indian Technical Textiles
Industry has not Grown Yet?

Requirements for the growth of technical textiles sector in India

1) Lack of awareness on how to make finished or converted

technical textile products

2) Marketing know-how to sell and trade technical textile

products

3) Technical textiles sector in India should know where and how

technical textiles are used on a daily basis
 Global Perspective of Technical Textiles in
India
§ India’s specialty fabric and nonwoven industry is
fragmented and still in its infancy, with no state-of-the-art
technology in place compared to global players

§ Textile industry is also undergoing a major reorientation

from apparel to specialty fabric applications

§ Specialty fabrics now accounts for more than half of the

total textile production in India

Source: IFAI
 Global Perspective of Technical Textiles in
India …….cont

§ The focus of the government is on upgrading

infrastructure (geosynthetics) and increasing the use of
automotive textiles (nonwovens)

§ Other niche areas: Safety and protective (defense),

medical textiles, agriculture (nets, shading, mulch) and
filtration fabrics

Source: IFAI
 Classification of Technical Textiles

Technical Textiles

Raw material based

Process based Application based

Natural fibres Architecture and

Flax, Hemp, ramie, cotton, Agriculture Construction
wool, jute, sisal
Knitting
Warp, weft
Structural Filtration
Regenerated fibres
Rayon, Acetate Weaving
Narrow, Broad
Geotextiles Medical

Synthetic polymers
Polyester, Polyamide,
Polyacrylonitrile,
Military and Defense Paper machine clothing
Polypropylene Non-Woven bonding
Wet laying, Thermal,
Chemical, Needlepunching,
Minerals Spunlacing,Stitchbonding Safety and Protective Sports and recreation
Glass, Ceramics, Asbestos

Metals
Steel Transportation General Industrial
 Applica)on  areas  of  Technical  Tex)les  
  Techtex)l,  a  leading  interna)onal  trade  exhibi)on  for  technical  tex)les  defines  12  
main  applica)on  areas  of  technical  tex)les  
• Agrotech  :  agriculture,  aquaculture,  hor)culture  and  forestry  
• Buildtech  :  building  and  construc)on  
• Clothtech  :  technical  components  of  footwear  and  clothing  
• Geotech  :  geotex)les  and  civil  engineering  
• Hometech  :  technical  components  of  furniture,  household  tex)les  and  floorcoverings  
• Indutech  :  filtra)on,  conveying,  cleaning  and  other  industrial  uses  
• Medtech  :  hygiene  and  medical  
• Mobiltech  :  automobiles,  shipping,  railways  and  aerospace  
• Oekotech  :  environmental  protec)on  
• Packtech  :  packaging  
• Protech  :  personal  and  property  protec)on  
• Spor^ech  :  sport  and  leisure  
 Variables  in  the  produc)on  of  technical  tex)les  
A) Polymers:   Depending   upon   the   proper-es   required,   either   thermoplas-c   or  
thermoset   polymers   can   be   used.   Crystallinity   and   molecular   weight   typically  
influences  the  fibre  proper-es  

B) Fibre:   Natural   fibres   like   co\on,   flax,   jute,   ramie,   hemp   or   Man   made   fibres  
like   polyester,   nylon,   PP,   acrylic,   carbon,   kevlar   or   mineral   fibres   like   glass  
asbestos  etc  can  be  used  as  shown  in  the  classifica-on.  There  can  be  varie-es  
of   forms   in   which   these   can   be   used   i.e.   staple,   con-nuous   filaments   with  
different   cross   sec-ons,   any   combina-on   of   these   types   or   of   different  
polymeric  materials  can  be  used  

C) Yarn:   Staple,   monofilament,   mul-filament,   twisted,   textured   etc.   spun   by  

different  yarn  manufacturing  method  like  staple  yarns  from  ring,  rotor,  air  jet  
spun,  fric-on  spun  etc.  giving  varie-es  of  structures  can  be  u-lized  as  required.    

D) Fabric:  Fabrics  either  woven,  nonwoven,  kni\ed,  braided,  laminated,  s-tched  

etc.   can   be   manufactured   by   conven-onal   or   non-­‐conven-onal   fabric
manufacturing techniques. Single layer, multilayer fabrics can be employed
 Variables  in  the  produc)on  of  technical  tex)les  

E)   Finishing   techniques   :   Special   proper-es   can   be   given   to   technical  

tex-les   by   different   manufacturing   techniques   like   heat   se`ng,   coa-ng,  
applica-on  of  different  finishes.    
 Useful fibre properties for technical textiles
Though specific applications demand for certain specific properties of the fibre being
used in it, the main properties of the fibres required by many technical applications are
summarized as under

• Mechanical properties ( strength, extensibility, modulus/stiffness, elastic recovery etc.)

• Thermal and thermomechanical properties (melting temperature, high temperature

mechanical properties etc)

• Chemical characteristics (resistance to various inorganic and organic chemicals etc.)

• Electrical properties (static build up, dielectric behaviour, insulating nature etc.)

• Ageing behaviour (oxidative, thermal ageing etc.)

• Surface properties (adhesion, moisture transport behaviour etc.)

• Optical properties

• Other special properties

 Developments  in  fibre  materials  
• Around 80% of the usage in technical textiles is of fibres made out
of everyday polymers and materials like cotton, viscose, jute,
polyester, polyamide, polyolefins etc.

• Modifications in the shape and dimensions of the regular fibre

polymers like in polyester, polyamide, viscose alongwith special
chemical treatment to impart additional functional properties,
combination into hybrid and bicomponent products have taken
place to meet the requirements as a technical textile material.

• Modification of spinning process has led to development of high

tenacity, high modulus fibres.

• Fig. (next slide) illustrates various fibre materials employed in the

manufacture of technical textiles.
Commodity fibre consumption in technical textiles

Cotton
Cellulosic
7%
6% Others
1% Polyester
Polyamide 25%
7%

Jute etc.
14%
Glass Polyolefin
15% 25%, e.g.
Polypropylene
 Developments  in  fibre  materials  
Viscose  :    

• Excellent  resistance  to  higher  temperatures    

 Applica-ons  :  automo-ve  and  industrial  equipment  markets  

• Good  absorbency  and  suitability  for  processing  in  industries  of  wet  laying  techniques  
Applica-ons  :  Nonwoven  Industry  especially  in  disposable  cleaning  and  hygiene  end  
uses.    

Polyamide  :    

• High  strength    

• Good  abrasion  resistance    

• Good  elas-city  and  uniformity    

• Be\er  resistance  to  moisture  

• Excellent  energy  absorbing  property    

 Applica-ons  :  parachute  fabrics,  tyre  cords  etc.  

 Developments  in  fibre  materials  
Polyester  :    
• Huge  growth  in  world  produc)on  of  polyester  provided  the  economies  
of  scale  to  this  fibre  to  compete  with  and  come  up  as  a  low  cost  
subs)tute  to  viscose  and  polyamides  to  be  used  in  the  technical  
applica)ons.  
Polyolefin  (such  as  polypropylene  or  polyethylene):    
• Low  cost  and  easy  process  ability  of  this  fibre    
• Low  density  
• Good  abrasion  resistance  
• Good  moisture  resistant    
• Applica)ons   :     Specifically   in   the   applica)ons   like   sacks,   bags,  
packaging,     carpet   backing,   furniture   linings,   ropes,   necng   replacing  
conven)onally  used  jute  in  these  applica)ons.    Also  newer  areas  like  
ar)ficial  sports  surfaces  
   
 Developments  in  fibre  materials  

Polyolefin  …cont  :    
• The   disadvantages   like   poor   temperature   resistance,   hydrophobicity  
in  fact  turned  as  a  boon  to  this  fibre  to  be  used  into  nonwovens.    
• For   example   its   good   moisture   wicking   property   got   used   into   the  
hygiene  products  like  diapers.  
• Low   extrusion   temperatures   made   it   suitable   material   for   the  
technologies  like  spunbonding  and  melt  blowing.    
High  performance  fibres:  
• Though   technical   tex)les   industry   s)ll   consumes   around   80%   of   the  
commodity   fibres   discussed  above  with  their  modifica)ons,   the   really  
high   func)onal   applica)ons   have   emerged   subsequent   to   the  
development  of  so  called  high  performance  fibres.    
  Aramids   (Kevlar   and   Nomex),   Carbon,   Glass   etc.   are   the   fibres  
belonging  to  this  category.  
 Developments  in  fibre  materials  
   Aramids:  Aramid  fibers  are  43%  lighter  than  glass  fiber,  with  a  density  of  1.44  g/cc  
compared   to   2.5   g/cc   for   glass   fiber.   They   are   twice   as   strong   as   E-­‐glass,   ten   -mes   as  
strong  as  aluminum  and  approach  the  strength  of  high  strength  carbon  on  a  specific  
tensile  strength  basis.  
 
• Low  density  
• High  temperature  resistant  meta-­‐aramids  (Nomex)  
– Applica)ons:  Protec)ve  clothing  and  similar  applica)ons  
• High  strength  and  high  modulus  para-­‐aramids  (Kevlar)  
– Applica)ons:  Bulletproof  vests,  tyre  reinforcement,  fric)on  
materials,  ropes,  advanced  composites  etc.  
Carbon  fibre  :  
• Very  High  tensile  strength  
• High  tensile  modulus  
• Highly  temperature  resistant  
 -­‐    Applica)ons:  Aerospace,  high  technology  spor)ng  goods,  reinforced      
fuel  tanks,  wind  generator  turbine  blades  etc.  
 Developments  in  fibre  materials  

Glass  fibre  :  
• Excellent  igni-on  resistance  
• High  strength  (  stronger  than  steel  of  same  diameter)  
• Sunlight,  mildew,  bleach,  weather,  chemical  resistance  
Applica)ons  :  high  performance  composite  applica-ons,  packaging,                        
protec-ve  clothing,  filtra-on,  body  panels  in  automo-ves  etc.    
Other  fibres  :    
    Polybenzimidazole   (PBI)   fiber   is   a   synthe-c   fiber   with   a   very   high  
mel-ng   point.   It   has   excep-onal   thermal   and   chemical   stability   and   does   not  
readily  ignite.    
     High  modulus  polyethylene  (HMPE),  Ceramic    etc.  
 
 
 Developments  in  fibre  materials  
• PBI  fiber  characteris)cs  
• con)nuous  temperature:  1,000°F  (540°C);    mel)ng  temperature:  1,400°F  (760°C)  
• no  mel)ng  point  (in  flame  tests);  will  not  ignite  or  smolder,  retains  fiber  integrity  and  suppleness  
up  to  1,000°F  
• low  shrinkage  and  high  strength  reten-on  when  exposed  to  high  temperature  
• dyeable  to  dark  shades  with  basic  dyes  following  caus-c  pretreatment  
• mildew  and  age  resistant  
• abrasion  resistant  
• low  thermal  conduc-vity  
• resistant  to  most  chemicals  
• low  electrical  conduc-vity  and  low  sta-c  electricity  buildup  
• resistant  to  sparks  and  welding  spa\er  
• Major  Industrial  PBI  Fiber  Uses  
• high-­‐performance  protec-ve  apparel  such  as:  
– firefighter  turnout  coats  and  suits  
– astronaut  space  suits  
– high  temperature  protec-ve  gloves  
– welders'  apparel  
– race  car  driver  suits  
• aircrad  wall  fabrics  
• race  car  driver  suits  
 Developments  in  Tex)le  processes  
•Vast  number  of  tex)le  processes  being  used  in  the  manufacture  
of  technical  tex)les.  

•   S)ll   today,   weaving   plays   a   major   role   in   the   manufacture   of  

technical   tex)les.   Developments   like   3D   weaving,   crimpless  
weaving  have  led  to  explora)on  of  newer  applica)ons.  

•   A   forecast   of   this   industry   predicts   that   nonwovens   will  

overtake  weaving  in  terms  of  total  weight  of  tex)les  produced.  In  
terms  of  the  area,  nonwovens  have  already  surpassed  weaving.  

•   Other   manufacturing   technologies   like   warp   knicng,   wen  

knicng,   braiding   have   also   seen   advancements   in   technical  
tex)les  manufacturing.  
 Table  1  Applica)onwise  Forecast  of  World  Technical  Tex)les  consump)on,  
2000-­‐2005  

Consum)on  (000  T)   $  million  

Applica)o
n  area   %  growth   %  growth  
2000   2005   2000   2005  
(pa)   (pa)  
Mobiltech   2220   2480   2.2   13080   14370   1.9  
Indutech   1880   2340   4.5   9290   11560   4.5  
Hometech   1800   2260   4.7   7780   9680   4.5  
Medtech   1380   1650   3.6   7820   9530   4  
Buildtech   1030   1270   4.3   3390   4320   5  
Agrotech   900   1020   2.5   4260   4940   3  
Clothtech   730   820   2.3   6800   7640   2.4  
Packtech   530   665   4.5   2320   2920   4.7  
Geotech   400   570   7.3   1860   2660   7.4  
Sportech   310   390   4.7   2030   2510   4.3  
Protech   160   220   6.6   1640   2230   6.3  
Total   11340   13685   3.9   60270   72360   3.7  

Source: David Rigby Associates/Techtextil

 Forecast  of  technical  tex)les  consump)on  (2012)    
%  share  applica)on  area  wise  
Protech
3%
Geotech Sportech
4% 3% Mobiltech
Packtech 20%
4%
Clothtech
11%

Agrotech Indutech
7% 16%
Buildtech
6% Medtech Hometech
13% 13%
Source : DRA
Global End-use of Technical Textile Fabric

Knitted Others
5% 2%
Non
woven
20%

Woven
73%

Source: DRA
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Table  1  forecasts  
    consump-on  of  technical  tex-les  in  various  areas  of  applica-ons  
in  2010  
Transporta)on  tex)les:  
Technical  Tex-les  are  used  in  cars,  lorries,  buses,  trains,  ships  and  aerospace.  
• It  is  the  largest  end  use  area  for  technical  tex-les  (around  20%).    
• Carpets,  Seat  covers,  tyres,  belts,  hose  reinforcement,  safety  belts,  air  bags,  
composite  reinforcements  for  bodies,  wings  and  engine  components  are  
made  of  tex-le  products.  
Advantages  of  using  such  products  in  automo-ves  are    
• Weight  savings  and  hence  economy  of  fuel  
• Longer  life  
• Flexibility  in  the  design  

•  Speed  up  -me  to  produce,  hence  cost  savings  in  the  process.
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Industrial       products  and  components:  
•  This  area  includes  tex-les  used  directly  in  industrial  processes  or  incorporated  
into  industrial  products.  
•  Eg.  filters,  conveyor  belts,  abrasive  belts,  reinforcements  for  printed    circuit  
boards,  seals,  gaskets  etc.  
•  Nonwovens  outweigh  woven  fabrics  in  this  sector.  
•  Composite  reinforcement  surpasses  both  these  types  in  this  sector  

Medical  and  Hygiene  tex)les:  

•   Hygiene   tex)les   are   low   volume   but   high   value   products   (Eg.   Wipes,   babies  
diapers   (nappies),   adult   sanitary   and   incon)nence.   -­‐     Nonwovens   dominate   in  
this  segment)  
•   Other   areas   of   applica)on   which   is   of   very   small   quan)ty   but   very   high   in  
terms   of   value   is   medical   and   surgical   products   like   opera)ng   gowns,  
 drapes,  steriliza)on  packs,  dressings,  sutures,  orthopedic  pads.  
•   Of   highest   value   products   are   ar)ficial   ligaments,   veins,   arteries,   skin  
replacement,  hollow  fibres  for  dialysis  machines  
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Home  tex)les:  
•     applica)ons  are  loose  fibres  in  wadding  and  fiberfill  applica)ons.  
Main  
• Hollow  fibres  with  excellent  insula)ng  proper)es  in  bedding  and  sleeping  
bags.  
• Replacement  of  foam  in  the  furniture  with  fibres  due  to  health  concerns  
• Woven  fabrics  and  nonwovens  (spun-­‐bonded)  as  carpet  and  furniture  
backings,  curtain  header  tapes.  
• Dry-­‐laid  and  hydro-­‐entangled  products  in  household  cleaning  applica)ons  
 

Clothing  components:  
• These  are  the  technical  components  used  in  the  manufacture  of  clothing  
• Eg.  Sewing  threads,  interlinings,  waddings,  insula)on.    
• It  is  a  major  market  for  fibrefill  products.  
• Latest  development  of  incorpora)on  of  phase  change  materials  into  
insula)on  products  to  cope  up  with  sudden  extremes  of  temperatures.  
    
Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Fishing  industry  :    
• Nets,  ropes  and  lines.  
• High  modulus  polyethylene  is  being  used  for  lightweight,  ultra-­‐strong  lines  
and  nets.  
Agriculture  and  hor)culture  :    
• Covering,  protec-on  and  containment  applica-ons.  
• Conven-onally  used  heavier  weight  tex-les  like  jute,  sisal  are  being  replaced  
by  light  weight,  long  las-ng  synthe-c  materials  like  polypropylene.  
• Lightweight  spunbonded  fleeces  used  for  shading,  thermal  insula-on,  weed  
suppression.  
• Heavier  nonwoven,  woven  and  kni\ed  structures  are  used  for  wind  and  hail  
protec-on.  

• Pre-­‐Seeded  Nonwovens  
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Agriculture  
    and  hor)culture  …  cont:    
• Capillary  nonwoven  ma`ng  used  to  distribute  moisture  to  the  
growing  plants.    
• Bulk  storage  and  transport  of  fer-lizer  and  agricultural  products  
use  PP    
• Geotex-le  for  drainage  
• Protec-ve  clothing  for  the  employees  handling  sprays  and  
hazardous  equipments  
• Transport  tex-les  for  tractors,  lorries,  conveyor  belts,  hoses,  
filters,  Composite  reinforcement  in  silos,  tanks  and  piping.  
Construc)on-­‐building  and  roofing:  
• Applica-on  areas  are  permanent  construc-ons  like  dams,  
tunnels,  bridges,  roads.  
• Temporary  structures  like  tents,  marquees,  awnings  use  tex-les.  
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Construc)on-­‐building  
    and  roofing      ….  cont:  
• Architectural  membranes  are  being  used  prominently  in  sports  stadia,  
exhibi)on  centres,  modern  buildings.  
• Nonwoven  glass  and  polyester  fabrics  widely  used  in  roofing  materials  
• Other  tex)les  are  used  as  breathable  membranes  to  prevent  moisture  
penetra)on  of  walls    
• These  act  as  building  and  equipment  insula)on  
ü Double  wall  spacer  fabrics  filled  with  suitable  material  provides  
thermal  and  sound  insula)on  
• Glass,  PP,  acrylic  are  used  to  prevent  cracking  of  concrete,  plaster  etc.  
• Glass  is  being  used  in  bridge  construc)on  
• Carbon  fibers  are  seen  as  possible  reinforcement  for  earthquake-­‐prone  
buildings.  
• During  construc)on  opera)ons  like  safety  necngs,  lining,  tensioning  
ropes,  flexible  shu^ering  for  curing  concrete
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
   
Packaging  and  containment:  
• Manufacturing  of  bags,  sacks  from  co^on,  jute,  flax.  
• This  area  is  increasingly  using  PP  for  its  strength  and  regularity  of  this  
material  for  efficient  handling  of  powdered  and  granular  materials  like  
fer)lizer,  sand,  cement,  sugar,  flour,  dyestuffs.  
• Light  weight  nonwovens,  kni^ed  structures  are  being  used  for  wrapping  
and  protec)on  applica)ons,  mainly  in  food  industry.  
• Wet  laid  nonwovens  in  tea  and  coffee  bags.  
• Meats,  vegetables,  fruits  are  packed  with  a  nonwoven  insert  to  absorb  
liquid  
• Strong,  lightweight  spunbonded,  nonwoven  paper  like  materials  are  used  
for  courier  envelopes  
• Woven  strappings  are  safer  than  metal  bands  used  with  bales.  
 Environmental  concerns  are  driving  developments  in  this  area  
   
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
Sports  a  nd  
  leisure:  
• Performance  clothing  and  footwear,  
• Ar)ficial  turfs  used  in  sports  surfaces  
• Carbon  fibre  reinforced  racket  frames,  golf  clubs,  fishing  rods,  cycle  frames  
• Balloon  fabrics,  parachute  and  paraglider  fabrics,  sailcloth.  

Geotex)les  in  civil  engineering:  

• These  are  the  tex)les  used  in  conjunc)on  with  earth.  
• Predicted  to  be  an  area  with  highest  growth  rate  than  any  other  sector  
• Its  func)ons  are  reinforcement,  separa)on,  filtra)on,  drainage,  
stabiliza)on.  
• Applica)ons  are  hazardous  or  sanitary  landfills,  earth  embankments,  dams,  
coastline  slope  protec)on,  temporary  walls,  erosion  control  structures,  clay  
liners,  reservoirs,  tanks  etc.  
   
 Applica)ons  of  technical  tex)les  
   
Protec)ve  and  safety  clothing:  
• New  genera)on  high  performance  fibres  like  aramids  are  used  in  this  sector  
• Protec)ons   needs   to   be   given   against   cuts,   abrasion,   ballis)c,   impacts,  
explosions,   fire,   hazardous   dust   par)cles,   nuclear,   biological,   chemical,   high  
voltage,  sta)c  electricity,  extreme  cold,  foul  weather,  poor  visibility  etc.  
• Sensi)ve   instruments   and   processes   like   that   of   electronics   and  
pharmaceu)cals  need  protec)on  wherein  tex)les  can  be  used.  -­‐  EMS  
Ecological  protec)on  tex)les:  
• These  are  technical  tex)les  for  protec)on  of  environment  and  ecology.  
• It   overlaps   with   other   several   areas   like   industrial,   geotex)les,   agricultural  
tex)les  etc.  
• Tex)les  can  contribute  in  every  sphere  of  their  use  like  by  reducing weight in
transport and construction, thereby saving materials and energy
End of the Introduction Session