What are functional fabrics?
Simply put, fabrics can meet the functional needs of a variety of scenarios, including: antibacterial, anti-mite, three-proof, anti-UV, etc. These fabrics are mostly used in outdoor clothing, maternal and infant clothing, home textiles and other fabric fields.
Strictly speaking, functional fabrics refer to changing the properties of fabrics, adding functional materials, and adding various preparations and processes during the production process and post-finishing to give the fabrics special functions and super performance, giving them “special functions” , which is a performance that ordinary clothing fabrics do not have or cannot achieve.
In addition to its basic functions, the fabric also has antibacterial, anti-mite, anti-mildew, anti-virus, anti-mosquito, anti-moth, flame-retardant, anti-wrinkle and non-ironing, water- and oil-repellent, anti-UV, moisture-absorbing and quick-drying, memory, Fluorescence, perspiration, antistatic, anti-wrinkle, far-infrared treatment, three-proof, nano-products, anti-electromagnetic radiation, fragrance, magnetic therapy, infrared physiotherapy, negative ion health care, etc. One or more of the various functions. As time goes by and research continues, more functional textiles will appear.
Common functional fabrics
1. Waterproof fabric
Waterproof fabric is a new type of textile fabric, which is made of polymer waterproof and breathable material (PTFE membrane) plus cloth composite fabric.
The main functions of waterproof and breathable fabrics are: waterproof, moisture-permeable, breathable, insulating, windproof, and warm. The main principle is to take advantage of the huge difference in the size of water vapor particles and raindrops to attach a porous structure film with a pore size smaller than raindrops to the surface of the fabric, so that raindrops cannot pass through, but water vapor and sweat can pass through smoothly, which is conducive to breathability.
2. Flame retardant fabric
The flame retardant is polymerized, blended, copolymerized, and compounded into fibers to make the fibers have permanent flame retardant properties.
At present, the main flame-retardant fabrics include: finishing flame-retardant fabrics, such as pure cotton, polyester cotton, etc.; intrinsic flame-retardant fabrics, such as aramid, acrylic cotton, DuPont Kevlar, Nomex, Australian PR97, etc.
It is widely used in the military, firefighting, petroleum, electric power, natural gas, chemical industry, aviation, shipping and other industries. It is also used in the production of general clothing, especially children’s clothing, pajamas, carpets, bedding, etc.
3. Antistatic fabric
Under dry climate conditions in autumn and winter, the body is prone to generate frictional static electricity with close-fitting clothing, especially when it comes into contact with textile fabrics containing polyester. Antistatic finishing of polyester fabrics can reduce the volume resistance or surface resistivity of the fabric to accelerate the leakage of static electricity, eliminate the problem of static electricity, and enhance consumers’ reputation experience of the product.
Antistatic fabrics use hydrophilic finishing or adding conductive fibers to make the fabric conductive. This kind of fabric is not easy to absorb dust and is antistatic. It is very suitable for making carpets and special work clothes such as dustproof clothing.
4. Thermal insulation fabric
Far-infrared thermal insulation fabric is a fabric that uses zirconium carbide compound particles added to nylon and polyester fibers to efficiently absorb solar energy and convert it into heat. Improved thermal insulation, which is of great practical significance for clothing in cold environments.
5. Moisture-absorbing and sweat-wicking fabrics (quick-drying fabrics)
Most quick-drying fabrics are made of chemical fiber fabrics, but due to different processing technologies, they have functions that ordinary clothing does not have. Generally speaking, wearing quick-drying fabrics in spring and summer is much more convenient and practical than heavy jackets. It mainly uses physical methods to spin several special-shaped fibers such as cross-shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped and honeycomb. There are a varying number of micro-grooves on the surface. With the help of the wicking and moisture-conducting structure of the grooves, moisture is instantly discharged from the body. , widely used in sportswear, outdoor travel, casual wear, underwear, shirts and other fields.
The main function of quick-drying fabrics is to quickly wick away sweat. Instead of absorbing sweat, it quickly transfers sweat to the surface of the clothes and accelerates the evaporation rate by expanding the area as much as possible, thereby achieving the purpose of quick drying. Wearing ordinary sportswear and immediately switching to a resting state after sweating during exercise may cause illness due to changes in body temperature. Quick-drying fabrics can dissipate moisture and have good warmth retention properties, helping to keep skin dry and fresh. Especially when doing outdoor sports, quick-drying fabrics can play a better role in windproof, rainproof and moisture-proof.
6. Radiation protection fabric
There are two main types of radiation-proof fabrics on the market now.
(1) Metal fiber fabric: Stainless steel metal is drawn into very fine filaments and then blended with fabric fibers.
Metal wire and fiber are mixed together. The advantage of this fabric is that it is breathable. It looks no different from ordinary fabrics. But when the fabric burns, it leaves behind a metal mesh. Can be washed. The protection is suitable for watching TV at home and working in the office. Under normal circumstances, it can play a good protective role.
(2) Metalized fabric: It uses electrolysis to penetrate the metal into the fabric to form a metal conductor, thereby achieving electromagnetic shielding.
The advantages are: strong protection ability, suitable for telecommunications transmitter rooms.
The disadvantage is that the fabric is relatively thick and the breathability is not very good. It is suitable for places close to high-power telecommunications transmitting stations and other related high-power radiation. The fabric cannot be washed. Most manufacturers make them removable. The radiation-proof fabric part can be removed.
7. Antibacterial fabric
Antibacterial fabrics have good antibacterial effects, can eliminate odors caused by bacteria, keep fabrics tidy, and avoid the reproduction of bacteria, which can reduce the risk of re-transmission.
Main application directions: socks, underwear, workwear fabrics, outdoor sports fabrics, etc.
