All textile materials possess some type of performance
and function. Performance is generally defined as the resistance against a
physical stimulus and/or chemical stimulus caused by different constraints. On
the other hand
the function is the action of induction or conversion of quality or change in quantity under the influence of an outer stimulus. Based on the performance and function, the textiles can be classified into four categories. Those are
the function is the action of induction or conversion of quality or change in quantity under the influence of an outer stimulus. Based on the performance and function, the textiles can be classified into four categories. Those are
Apparel textiles
It deals with all the textile materials used for
clothing like men's wear, women's wear, children's wear, sport's wear.
Interior textiles
It deals with the materials exclusively used in the home,
other than clothing like bedding, quilt Interior textiles These materials are
used for more comfort properties like curtains, carpets, upholstery cloth,
cords, laces, etc.
Technical textiles
Technical textiles come in a wide variety as the
required performance and function differ in association with the extensive range
of application purposes. Because of this diversity, technical textiles are
classified into the following SIx groups as per the area of application. Those
are:
1) Mobile textiles,
2) Geotextiles,
3) Industrial textiles,
4) Construct textiles,
5) Medical textiles and
6) Safety textiles.
Mobile Textiles
These types of textile materials are used for thermal
insulation, soundproofing, cushioning materials. Some examples of these
materials are: non-wovens, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, reinforcing fibers
for plastics, upholstery materials, sheets, canvas, etc. used for automobile,
aerospace and marine products.
Geotextiles
These types of materials are used for filters, wind
breaking nets, geotextiles in civil engineering, waterways, agriculture,
forestry, fisheries, and mining Some of the examples are: textiles for earth
works, road making, subsoil stabilization, river/canal bank protection,
underwater structures, sacks, netting, tarpaulin, gardening, and erosion
protection fabrics.
Construct textiles
These textile materials are used for surface and
underground construction, foundation construction, bridge construction and
building construction like roofing sheets, wall covering, etc. Some of the
textile materials are textile material for interior decoration, sheets,
roof sheeting, scan-blind textiles, tent fabrics, acoustic protection screens,
temporary building.
Industrial textiles
These textiles materials are used for electrical,
chemical, plastic processing, and packaging industries as a protective covering,
filters and thermal insulating materials. Some of the textile materials are:
Filters, composites, heat and cold protection textiles, antistatic textiles,
hoses, netting, insulating textile, backing materials for coatings, laminated
films, etc.
Medical textiles
These textile materials are used for hospital
equipment, sanitary, medical care and health care like bandages, artificial
blood vessels, masks, surgical wear. Some of the examples are hospital bedding
and sheets, bandaging materials, hygiene nonwovens, textile products for
surgery, operating sheets, doctors and nurses' clothing.
Safety textiles
These textile materials are used for protective wear,
safety equipment, military outfits for the purpose of protection. Some of the
materials are: heat protection clothing, military clothing, bulletproof
materials, chemical protective clothing, and equipment, protective non-clothing
and textile packaging.
Presently technical textiles are classified into 14
groups as per their field of application. Those are:
1) Air and space,
2) Traffic and transport,
3) Packaging and conveyance,
4) Information and communication,
5) Agriculture and forestry,
6) Engineering works,
7) Construction,
8) fishing and marine,
9) Health and medicine,
10) Sport and leisure,
11) Production,
12) Resources and energy,
13) Armaments and defense and
14) Others.
In conclusion, textiles had been started mainly for
apparel textiles or clothing. But with the progress of science, the capabilities of
imaginations and dreams, the realization of the dream into hopes, synthetic fibers with
different performance and functional properties came into existence. This
improves high-value addition and functional improvements of textiles and
textile goods. This is not the land; there are great expectations for the
development of applications in new fields.