Explain the fundamental ways in which technical textiles and smart fibres differ. Using examples explain how these two types of textiles can benefit users in the 21st century.
by
alexwatts95 (student)
Explain the fundamental ways in which technical textiles and smart fibres differ. Using examples explain how these two types of textiles can benefit users in the 21st century.
A small proportion of technical textiles are manufactured from high-end fibres like Kevlar or Nomex. Most technical textiles are made from everyday fibres such as polyester, polypropylene, polyamide or acrylic. Gore-Tex® fabrics are created by laminating the Gore-Tex® membrane to high performance textiles, then sealing them with a solution for guaranteed waterproof protection. Phosphorescent textiles are a class of luminescent materials that show long-lasting bright afterglow in dark after charged by a source of light capable of exciting the material to a persistent excited state. Some other technical textiles are Scotchlite, electronic textiles, the smart bra, microfibres, Nano-fibres and Skintex skincare. Smart fibres have been developed to provide functions that will respond to and protect our bodies. They can be said to be 'intelligent' because of their ability to react to external stimuli or changes in the environment without human intervention. Smart fibres are split into four categories; Biomimetic fibres that mimic nature, Shape Memory textiles, Sense and Track fibres and Chromatic fibres. Biomimetic fibres mimic good design in nature; some of these include Fastskin by Speedo and a fabric by Stomatex. Fastskin enables the swimmer to be streamlined by reducing passive drag by up to 4%. Stomatex uses a pattern of dome-shaped vapour chambers to allow body heat and perspiration to exit through tiny pores at a controlled rate. The body temperature remains stable at whatever activity is being carried out.
