TEXTILE WORLD

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 textiles include textiles for automotive applications, medical textiles (e.g., implants), geotextiles (reinforcement of embankments), agrotextiles (textiles for crop protection), and protective clothing (e.g., heat and radiation protection for fire fighter clothing, molten metal protection for welders, stab protection and bulletproof vests, and spacesuits).
Over all, global growth rates of technical textiles are about 4% per year greater than the growth of home and apparel textiles, which are growing at a rate of 1% per year.
In present market opportunities and in free quota system the importance of technical textile materials is increasing to accommodate the needs of requirement. Nowadays the most widely technical textile materials are used in filter clothing, furniture, hygiene medicals and construction material.

Classification

Technical textiles can be divided into many categories, depending on their end use. The classification developed by Techtextil, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH is widely used in Europe, North America and Asia^[1]. The classifications are:

Agrotech (Agro-textiles)

Textiles used in Agriculture are termed as agro textiles. They are used for crop protection, fertilisation, ... The essential properties required are strength, elongation, stiffness, and bio-degradation, resistance to sunlight and resistance to toxic environment. All these properties help with the growth and harvesting of crops and other foodstuffs. There is a growing interest in using materials which gradually degrade (biodegradables).

Mobiltech (Automotive and aerospace textiles)

These textiles are used in the manufacture of automobiles and aircraft. Carbon composites are mostly used in the manufacture of aeroplane parts while carbon fibre is used for making higher end tyres. Nylon gives strength and its bursting strength being high is used as air bags in cars. High tensile polyester is used for making air balloons.

Buildtech (Construction Textiles)

Textiles used in construction - concrete reinforcement, façade foundation systems, interior construction, insulations, proofing materials, air conditioning, noise prevention, visual protection, protection against the sun, building safety.
An interesting and astethic appealing application is the use of textile membranes for roof construction. This area is also referred to as textile architecture. PVC coated high tenacity PES, teflon coated glass fibre fabrics or silicone coated PES are used for their low creep properties. Splendid examples of such construction are found in football stadia, airports and hotels.

Clothtech (Clothing Textiles)

Technical textiles for clothing applications.especially in the finishing process where fabric is treated under pressure and high temperature the technical textile supports the fabric for smooth processing.this is usually the blend of polyester

Geotech (Geo-textiles)

These are used in reinforcement of embankments or in constructional work. The fabrics in geo textiles are permeable fabrics and are used with soils having ability to separate, filter, protect or drain. The application areas include civil engineering, earth and road construction, dam engineering, soil sealing and in drainage systems. The fabric used in it must have good strength, durability, low moisture absorption and thickness. Mostly nonwoven and woven fabrics are used in it. Synthetic fibers like glass, polypropylene and acrylic fibers are used to prevent cracking of the concrete, plastic and other building materials. Polypropylene and polyester are used in geo textiles and dry/liquid filtration due to their compatibility.

Hometech (Domestic Textiles)

Textiles used in a domestic environment - interior decoration and furniture, carpeting, protection against the sun, cushion materials, fireproofing, floor and wall coverings, textile reinforced structures/fittings.

In the contract market such as for large area buildings, ships, caravans, busses, ... fire retardant materials are used. Fire retardant properties are obtained either through the use of inherent fire retardant fibres such as modacryl or through the application of a coating with fire retardant additives (bromide of phosporus compounds).

Indutech (Industrial Textiles)

Textiles used for chemical and electrical applications and textiles related to mechanical engineering. Silk-screen printing, filtration, plasma screens, propulsion technology, lifting/conveying equipment, sound-proofing elements, melting processes, roller covers, grinding technology, insulations, seals, fuel cell.