TEXTILE SCIENCE

1. Introduction to Textile Science

Textile science

INTRODUCTION:

The learner should demonstrate an understanding of textile fiber production processes, fiber identification, yarn formation, fabric formation, fabric processing, batik and tie and dye processes. The learner is also expected to acquire theoretical and practical skills necessary to work in the textile processing industry as textile quality controllers, textile supervisors and designers.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course unit the learner should be able to:

1)    Acquire general knowledge of textile fibers and fabrics

2)    Understand the production process of natural fibers and fabrics

3)    Understand the properties of natural fibers and the finishes applied to them

4)    Acquire general knowledge of yarn formation and the weaving process     

              INTRODUCTION TO TEXTILES

DEFINITION OF TERMS   

Textiles –Processes involved in the construction of fabric from the fiber up to when the fabric is ready for garment construction.

Fiber –A unit of matter characterized by flexibility, fineness and high ratio of length to width

Fabric –A piece of material that have been twisted together to form strands that are suitable for garment construction

Yarn –An assemblage of fibers twisted or laid together so as to form a continuous strand that can be made into textile fabrics.

Staple fibers – Short fibers or fibers of discrete length

Filament fibers – long fibers or fibers of indefinite length  

2. Importance of studying textiles to a fashion Designer

         Importance of studying textiles to a fashion Designer

·       Acts as a professional career

·       Helps designers to make a sensible choice of choosing fabrics that complement their design

·       Enables designers to make different type of fabrics under fabric construction methods

·       Designers acquire knowledge on how to care for different textile products

·       Designers are able to improve the aesthetic value of different fabrics

                          General properties of fibers

In order to qualify as suitable substance for use, a textile fiber must possess some properties

1)    Primary properties- They are characteristics that must be possessed by a textile. They include:

Tenacity-They must possess sufficient strength to be worked on and processed by machine.

Flexibility /Pliability

ü  Ability of the fibers to bend without breaking.

ü  Fibers must be pliable in order to form yarns, fabrics that can be creased and have quality of draperbility and ability to move with the body.

Cohesiveness/Spinning quality – Ability of the fiber to stick together in the yarn    manufacturing processes

Uniformity – The fibers must be similar in length and width in the spinning quality and flexibility

2)    Secondary properties- They are characteristics applied to the textile fibers in order to increase consumer satisfaction by improving their choice qualities and to improve performance. They include:

Physical shape

ü  Average length

ü  Surface contours

ü  Cross section

Lustre

ü  Refer to the gloss, shin that fiber possess

ü  Determines the fiber’s brightness/dullness

Color

ü  Natural color of fibers varies from pure white to grey and black

ü  Natural fibers exhibits the greatest color differences

ü  Man-made fibers are usually white or off- white as they are  manufactured

Moisture regain and absorption

ü  Fibers have a certain amount of water as an integral part of their structure

ü  Fibers with good moisture regain will accept dyes and finishes more readily than those with low moisture regain

Elongation –Amount of stretch/elongation that a fiber will accept

Elastic Recovery-Ability of the fiber to return to original length after tension that produced elongation and after the fiber has been released.

Resiliency –Ability of a fiber to return to shape following compression, bending or similar deformation

Flammability and thermal reactions-The burning characteristics of fibers are important in determining care and use of textile products.

3. Importance of studying textiles to a fashion Designer

         Importance of studying textiles to a fashion Designer

·       Acts as a professional career

·       Helps designers to make a sensible choice of choosing fabrics that complement their design

·       Enables designers to make different type of fabrics under fabric construction methods

·       Designers acquire knowledge on how to care for different textile products

·       Designers are able to improve the aesthetic value of different fabrics

                          General properties of fibers

In order to qualify as suitable substance for use, a textile fiber must possess some properties

1)    Primary properties- They are characteristics that must be possessed by a textile. They include:

Tenacity-They must possess sufficient strength to be worked on and processed by machine.

Flexibility /Pliability

ü  Ability of the fibers to bend without breaking.

ü  Fibers must be pliable in order to form yarns, fabrics that can be creased and have quality of draperbility and ability to move with the body.

Cohesiveness/Spinning quality – Ability of the fiber to stick together in the yarn    manufacturing processes

Uniformity – The fibers must be similar in length and width in the spinning quality and flexibility

2)    Secondary properties- They are characteristics applied to the textile fibers in order to increase consumer satisfaction by improving their choice qualities and to improve performance. They include:

Physical shape

ü  Average length

ü  Surface contours

ü  Cross section

Lustre

ü  Refer to the gloss, shin that fiber possess

ü  Determines the fiber’s brightness/dullness

Color

ü  Natural color of fibers varies from pure white to grey and black

ü  Natural fibers exhibits the greatest color differences

ü  Man-made fibers are usually white or off- white as they are  manufactured

Moisture regain and absorption

ü  Fibers have a certain amount of water as an integral part of their structure

ü  Fibers with good moisture regain will accept dyes and finishes more readily than those with low moisture regain

Elongation –Amount of stretch/elongation that a fiber will accept

Elastic Recovery-Ability of the fiber to return to original length after tension that produced elongation and after the fiber has been released.

Resiliency –Ability of a fiber to return to shape following compression, bending or similar deformation

Flammability and thermal reactions-The burning characteristics of fibers are important in determining care and use of textile products.