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Properties and performance of textiles

Emerging textile technologies: Textile finishes for specific end-uses

In the Area of study: Properties and performance of textiles you will develop a critical approach towards the effects of innovations and emerging technologies. These innovations and technological advances occur in the use of textiles to enhance performance, machinery to improve construction or to save time, decorative techniques and finishing techniques. This tutorial focuses on finishing techniques.

Outcomes
This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcome:

H3.2 The student develops knowledge and awareness of emerging textile technologies.

Extract from Stage 6 Textiles and Design Syllabus © Board of Studies NSW 2007.

GORE-TEX^® HiLite fabric

GORE-TEX^® HiLite fabric is suitable for applications where soiling and safety are an issue. The finish permits wipe down cleaning on the job for light soiling and the restoration of visibility (even after intense soiling) when washed.

Garments made from GORE-TEX^® HiLite are also easy to dry. The GORE-TEX^® HiLite product is lightweight, with high durability of waterproofness and breathability. The yarns in the outer textile are sealed with a special polymer without affecting the breathability.

This sealing process prevents the dirt particles from becoming entangled within the fibres of the fabric. Possible end-uses would be road construction workers.
Adapted from GORE-TEX^® HiLite, viewed 22/4/03 <http://129.33.97.7/published/gfe_navnode/gb.act.tof.ww.hl.html>

Arcburn: Protection from arcburns

Arcburn is a laminated fabric developed by GORE-TEX^® to meet the needs of the electrical utility industry.

Performance criteria include:

protection from bad weather
thermal protection
flame retardancy
durability of waterproofness
high breathability.
Adapted from GORE-TEX^® HiLite, viewed 22/4/03 <http://129.33.97.7/published/gfe_navnode/gb.act.tof.ww.ab.html>

AIRVANTAGE™ thermal insulation

AIRVANTAGE™ fabric provides individual adjustable insulation. It is used to produce breathable, windproof adjustable insulation vests and jackets for skiing, snowboarding, motorcycling, fashion and casual. The unique air chamber construction allows the wearer to control the amount of insulation that he or she requires by inflating or deflating the lining using a single valve.

In most applications the lining of the garment is the inner layer of the AIRVANTAGE™ adjustable insulation, while a shell material always covers the outer layer.

Benefits

Convenience: no need to add or take off clothing to maintain thermal comfort.

Personal control: consumers control the amount of insulation they receive.

Simple: easy to operate and to understand.

Activity 1

Using the information presented above and on the relevant web pages, explain how each of the finishing techniques, HiLite and Arcburn, can be used to enhance fabric performance for a specific end-use.
AIRVANTAGE ™ is not a textile finish, it is really a construction technique. Referring to the web site draw a thumbnail sketch of the jacket in the photo. Explain how the innovation affects society.