Fibres & fabrics- properties and characteristics Flashcards
Give examples of natural fibres
cotton, wool, flax, silk
Give an example of regenerated fibres
viscose
Give examples of synthetic fibres
polyester, elastomeric, viscose, acrylic, nylon
Cotton properties and uses
Properties: cool to wear, soft handle, good drape, very absorbent
Uses: jeans, t-shirts, towels
Wool properties and uses
Properties: warm, absorbent, not durable, creases, can shrink
Uses: jumpers, suits and blankets
Flax properties and uses
Properties: warm, absorbent, durable
Uses: tea towels, tablecloths
Silk properties and uses
Properties: soft, warm, good drape and absorbent
Uses: evening wear, ties
What are combination fabrics?
They can be layered and combined to improve the handle, appearance, performance. Like lining and interfacing
Examples of combination fabrics
- Interfacing (to stiffen and strengthen collar or cuffs)
- Quilt (add warmth)
- Gore tex (breathable and waterproof)
- Kevlar (high strength used in bulletproof vests)
- Thinsulate (good insulator and moisture resistant)
What are examples of constructed fabrics?
woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics,
Types of weaves
Plain weave
twill weave
satin weave
What is a plain weave?
warp and weft are aligned forming criss cross pattern
Uses- strong and hardwearing furnishings
define Weft
Yarn going horizontally of fabric
define Warp
Yarn going vertically of fabric
define Selvedge
Side where wefts are double backed so that there is no fraying
What is a twill weave?
diagonal pattern of warp and weft
Uses- strong and hardwearing things
- drapes well
What is a satin weave?
Longer float threads across warp or weft. It is a complex arrangement
Uses- light materials
define Elastomerics
high elasticity polymer
Why combine fibres?
Fibres are combined so that the material has many properties
What are examples of combined fibres?
- polyester cotton
- polyester viscose
Types of knitted fabrics
- weft knitted
- warp knitted
Warp knitted
- loops interlock vertically along length of fabric
Weft knitted
- looping together long lengths of yarn across the fabric
how are non-woven fabrics made?
- bonding
- felting
Bonding
- webs of synthetic fibres bonded together
Felting
- animal hair/wool fibres matted together using heat, pressure and moisture
What are microfibres?
they are woven polyester fibres and can be used to construct woven, knitted, laminated and micro-encapsulated smart fabrics.
define Micro-encapsulated
various microcapsules embedded in a fibre or fabric
uses: used to give a good smell and reduce body odour
examples of technological advances in textiles materials
- light sensitive (photochromic dyes)
- heat sensitive (therm-chronic)
- solvation chromism (changes colour when wet)
- Interactive fibres which incorporates electronics
- Inflatables
- Nanotechnology
- Fibre optics
What is a fabric specification?
a particular fabric/s used to make that specific product because certain properties are required
what are some popular fabrics?
- denim
- satin
- polar fleece
- corduroy
- tweed
- plain weaves
- velvet
- drill
- knitted jersey
- felt
How do manufacturing techniques influence fabric choices?
It depends if the fabric needs to be dyed, printed, flocked or embroidered. This influences the type of fabric chosen.
