Technical Textiles:

The Future of Textiles

Dr. Deepti Bhargava

Assistant Professor,
Department of Textile and Apparel Designing,
Banda University of Agriculture and Technology,
Banda, U.P.
Definition
The technical textile is defined as textile material and
product manufactured primarily for their technical
performance and functional properties rather than
their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.

A technical textile is a textile product manufactured

for non-aesthetic purposes, where function is the
primary criterion. It is a large and growing sector and
supports a vast array of other industries.
Technical approach :

 Old
All fabrics that can not be addressed within the traditional sectors of
clothing, home and decoration are considered Technical textiles.
 Present
Technical textiles are specially designed and engineered structures
that are used for their technical performance and functional
properties rather than their aesthetic properties

Market approach :
Technical textiles offer solutions for the manifold technical
challenges existing in our society (environmental protection,
personal safety, health & well-being etc.)
Difference between conventional and
technical textiles?
CONVENTIONAL
TEXTILES
 Manufactured primarily
for aesthetic and
decorative purposes.
 Fiber (natural and
synthetic) is usually first
spun into yarn and then
yarn is woven or knitted
into fabrics.
TECHNICAL TEXTILES
 Manufactured primarily
for performance or
function rather than
aesthetics.
 May be both woven and
nonwoven and is made
out of primarily
synthetic and some
natural fibres.
Functions Of Technical Textiles
• Mechanical resistance, reinforcement
Mechanical of material, elasticity

• Filtration, absorption, drainage,

Exchange insulation/conductivity

• Thermal, fire, chemicals, mechanical,

Protective antistatic, breathable

Functionalities • Antibacterial, antimicrobial,

biodegradability
for living being
Classification Of Technical Textiles

1. Agrotech 7. Geotech
2. Meditech 8. Packtech
3. Buildtech 9. Hometech
4. Mobiltech 10. Protech
5. Clothtech 11. Indutech
6. Oekotech 12. Sporttech
Symbols for different technical
textiles
 1. Agro-tech
(Agro-textiles)
Textiles used in agriculture, horticulture, fishing,
forestry and animal husbandry are termed as agro
textiles.
Properties required Applications
 Strength • Crop protection cover
 Elongation • Capillary matting
 Stiffness • Land netting
 Bio-degradation • Fishing ropes
 Resistance to sunlight • Fishing nets
 Resistance to toxic environment • Anti-hail nets
• Bird protection nets
 Applications of Agro-tech

1. Shade net 2. Mulch mat 3. Crop cover

4. Anti hail net 5. Bird protection net 6. Fishing nets

 2. Medi-tech (Medical textiles)
Combination of textile technology and medical sciences has resulted
into a new field called medical textiles.

Properties required Applications

Non toxic  Non implantable materials:
Non allergic Wound dressing, bandages,
plasters etc.
Non carcinogenic  Extracorporeal devices:
Able to be sterilized Artificial liver, kidney, lung
Bio compatible  Implantable materials:
Absorption/repellency Suture, vascular grafts, artificial
ligaments, artificial joints etc.
Air permeability  Healthcare and hygiene
products:
Bedding, clothing, surgical
gowns, wipes etc.
 Applications of Medi-tech
Incontinence
diapers Sanitary napkins

Baby diapers

Surgical Dressings

Artificial

Implants
 3. Build-tech
(Construction Textiles)
Textiles used in construction - concrete reinforcement,
facade foundation systems, interior construction, insulation,
sound proofing materials, air conditioning, protection
against the sun, building safety.

Properties required Applications

 Waterproof  Architectural membranes
 Fire retardant  Hoardings
 Resistant to deformation and
 House wrap
extension under tension
 Scaffold nets
 Impermeable to air and wind
 Resistant to abrasion and  Concrete reinforcement
mechanical damage  Composites
 Resistant to sunlight and acid  Roof scrims
rain  Tarpaulins
 Resistant to microbial attack
 Applications of Build-tech

Architectural membranes Hoardings Scaffolding nets

Tarpaulin Awning
s
 4. Mobil-tech
(Automotive textiles)
These textiles are used in the manufacture of automobiles: cars, trains,
buses, marine vehicles and aircrafts.
 Visible components like truck covers, car trunk coverings, seat covers,
seat belts, airbags, parachutes, boats, air balloons etc.
 Concealed components like noise vibrations, harness components, tyre
cords, liners etc.
Properties required Applications
• Durability  Car /truck tyre cord
• Water proofing  Drive belt
• UV resistance  Cabin filters
• Abrasion resistance  Seat belts
• Resistance to heat and light  Air bags
 Truck covers
 Upholstery
 Applications of Mobil-tech
Air bags
Tyre cords Car body covers

Seat belts Seat covers Carpets

 5. Cloth-tech
(Clothing Textiles)
Technical textiles for clothing applications especially in the
finishing process where fabric is treated under pressure and
high temperature.
Properties required Applications
 Stability to high temperature and
Woven and non woven
pressure
 High abrasion resistance interlining
 UV resistance Shoe components
 Durability Sewing threads
 Shrink proof Zips
 High strength
Labels
 Corrosion resistance
 Light weight
 Applications of Cloth-tech

Zip fasteners
Shoe laces Interlining

Umbrella cloth Sewing Thread Velcr

 6. Oeko-tech or Eco-tech
(Environmentally friendly textiles)
New applications for textiles in environmental protection
applications - floor sealing, air cleaning, prevention of water
pollution, water cleaning, waste treatment/recycling,
domestic water sewerage plants.

Properties required Applications

 Environment sustainability
 Biodegradability
 Non allergic
 Non toxic
 Non poisonous
 Non carcinogenic
 House wraps
 Pit linings
 Erosion control
 Woven filters
 Nonwoven dust filter
 7. Geo-tech (Geo-textiles)
The society for engineering in agricultural food biological systems defines a
geotextile as “a fabric or synthetic material placed between the soil and pipe,
gabion or retaining wall to enhance water movement and retard soil movement,
and as a blanket to add reinforcement and separation”

It refers to permeable fabric woven or non-woven used for confinement/ separation,
reinforcement, filtration and drainage.

Properties required Applications

 Civil engineering
 Moisture conservation
 High strength  Prevent drainage
 UV resistance  Embankment protection
 Rot resistance  Slope stabilization
 Resistance to biological  Soil reinforcement
degradation  Pit linings
 Chemically inert  Erosion control
 Rail track bed stabilization
 Thermal stability
 Permeability
 Applications of Geo-tech

Erosion control/ slope Railway

Embankment
 8. Pack-tech
(Packaging textiles)
Packaging, silos, containers, bags, canvas covers,
marquee tents.
Properties required Applications
 Flexible containers
 High strength
 Permeability  Laundry bags
 Thermal resistance  Tea bags
 Light weight  Netting
 Eco-friendly  Woven packaging
 UV resistance
 Chemically inert
 Recyclabe
 Applications of Pack-tech

Leno bags
Woven sacks

Flexible Intermediate Bulk Tea bag

Containers Suitcase bags
 9. Home-tech
(Domestic Textiles)
Textiles used in a domestic environment - interior
decoration and furniture, carpeting, cushion materials,
fireproofing, floor and wall coverings, textile reinforced
structures/fittings.
Properties required Applications
 UV resistance  Woven/nonwoven wipes
 Excellent light fastness  Vacuum filters
 Fastness to crocking (wet and  Pillow ticking
dry)
 Mattress ticking
 Resistance to pilling
 Curtain tapes
 Resistance to sagging
 Appearance retention  Carpet ground yarn
 Flame retardancy  Sewing threads
 Stain resistance
 Applications of Home-tech

Pillow Carpet backing HVAC Filters

Stuffed
toys

Blinds
Fibrefill
 10. Pro-tech
(Protective textiles)
Protection against heat, flame and radiation for fire fighter
clothing, against molten metals for welders, bulletproof
jackets for soldiers etc.
Properties required Applications
 Light weight and low bulk
 Bullet proof jackets &
 High durability and
dimensional stability helmets
 Good handle and drape  Face masks
 Water repellent  Gloves
 Wind proofing
 Fire retardant
 UV resistance
 Air permeable  Radiation protective
 Flame retardant
 Thermal resistance
 Applications of Pro-tech
Fire retardant clothings NBC Suits

High Altitude Clothing Bulletproof jacket

 11. Sport-tech
(Sports textiles)
Shoes, sports equipment, flying and sailing sports, cycling,
winter and summer sports, indoor sports wear.

Properties required Applications

 Moisture absorption  Boat covers
 Fast drying and cooling  Ropes
 Light weight  Nets
 Stretchability  Balls
 High tenacity  Air sport fabrics
 Thermal resistance  Tents
 Applications of Sport-tech
ASTRO TURF Sport Jackets

Sleeping bag
Parachutes
 12. Indu-tech
(Industrial Textiles)
Textiles used directly in industrial processes or incorporated into
industrial products.
Properties required: Applications:
 High tenacity  Sound-proofing elements
 Stiffness  Roller covers
 Permeability  Insulation
 Dimensional stability  Seals & gaskets
 Thermal stability  Conveyor belts, driving belts
 Chemically inert  Cigarette filters & rods
 Decatising cloth
 Ropes and cordages
 Composites
 Industrial brushes
 Applications of Indu-tech
Conveyor Belts Rope Cigarette filter rods

Decatising Cloth Drive belts Coated abrasive