Technical Textile Product List | Different Uses of Technical Textiles | Classification of Technical Textiles

What is Technical Textiles?

Technical textiles are approximately 21% of all textiles. In this modern era, technical textile plays a vital role in the manufacturing industries. It is used not only in the textile sector but also in other manufacturing sectors like the medical sector, engineering sector, etc.

Technical textiles are specially designed textiles that meet specific technical and functional requirements rather than aesthetic or decorative ones. They are engineered for performance and are used across various industries due to their specialized properties. The technical textiles sector is a rapidly growing segment within the textile industry, driven by innovation and advancements in material science.

Key Features of Technical Textiles:

• High Performance: These textiles are designed to perform under specific conditions, such as high stress, extreme temperatures, or exposure to chemicals.
• Durability: Technical textiles are engineered to withstand wear and tear, making them suitable for long-term use in demanding environments.
• Functionality: Each technical textile is created with a specific function in mind, such as moisture management, thermal insulation, or flame retardancy.

Categories Or Types of Technical Textiles:

1. Agrotech:

• Textiles used in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. Examples include shade nets, crop covers, and irrigation materials.

2. Buildtech:

• Textiles used in construction and architecture. Examples include geotextiles, roofing materials, and scaffolding nets.

3. Geotech:

• Textiles used in civil engineering and construction for soil stabilization, drainage, and erosion control. Geotextiles like nonwoven fabrics are used to reinforce soil and improve stability.

4. Medtech:

• Textiles used in medical and healthcare applications, such as surgical gowns, bandages, and implantable devices.

5. Protech:

• Protective textiles designed to protect individuals from hazards. This includes materials for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as firefighter suits, bulletproof vests, and chemical protective clothing.

6. Mobiltech:

• Textiles used in the automotive and transportation industries, such as seat belts, airbags, and interior linings.

7. Sportech:

• Textiles used in sports and leisure activities, including sportswear, equipment, and footwear.

8. Oekotech (Ecotech):

• Textiles used in environmental protection, such as materials for filtration, waste management, and erosion control.

There are different types of technical textile and  the main markets of technical textiles are traditional fabrics such as-

1. Canvas, fents, etc. (23%),
2. Automotive and transportation (23%),
3. Leisure (12%),
4. Medical textiles (10%),
5. Geotextiles (10%), and
6. Protective clothing (2%).

Two-thirds of automotive materials go into interior trim, for seat covers, roof and door liners, and carpets where woven fabrics still dominate the other uses include types, airbags, and filters.

Although non-woven and woven fabrics account for the majority of technical textiles, warp-knitted, and to a lesser extent, weft-knitted structures have captured some special end-use markets.  These are particulars where certain properties such as drapability, openwork, knitting to shape, mouldability, extensibility, lightness of weight, strength, and cost are at a premium and can be tailored for requirements.

Examples of Technical Textiles:

• Aramid Fibers (e.g., Kevlar): Used in protective clothing, such as bulletproof vests and helmets, due to their high strength and heat resistance.
• Nonwoven Fabrics: Used in medical textiles, filtration systems, and geotextiles for their lightweight and high filtration efficiency.
• Smart Textiles: Incorporating sensors and electronics to monitor health conditions, environmental factors, or performance in real-time.

Different Applications of Technical Textiles:

There are some important applications of technical textiles which have pointed out the below:

1. Geotextiles:

These are polymer fabrics used in the construction of harbor works, road drains, and breakwaters and for land reclamation, and many other civil engineering purposes. The geotextiles market requires bulk quantities of material.

2. Tarpaulins Coverings:

Air inflated structures, tarpaulins, temperature resistant sails, root coverings, backbit advertising signs.

3. Industrial Textiles:

Filter fabrics, adhesrttapses, and conveyor belts.

4. Safely Textiles:

Heat and flame resistant protective clothing for civil and military purposes, inflatable life rafts, fluorescent safely clothing, and bulletproof bests, sun protection blinds, helmets, radiation protection, oil trap mats, and parachutes.

5. Medical Textiles:

Gauge, plasters, artificial arteries, tapes, bandages, classier net bandages, dialysis filters, blankets, and covers.

6. Composites:

Composites are products that are formed by combining two or more discrete physical phases usually a solid matrix and a fibrous reinforcing material.

7. Nets:

Fabrics for construction, agriculture, weather, and pest protection, for safety, blinds, fences, fishnets, and storage nets.

8. Active Sportswear:

Clothing and equipment.