UNIT 1

TEXTILE TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

STRUCTURE:

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Terminology

Learning objectives:
After reading this unit the student will be able

1.To understand basic terms and definitions used in textiles.

2.To gain knowledge about the basic properties of textiles.

Unit preview:
The basic knowledge of textile terms to understand the subject textiles.Textiles
and colthing are considered as the basic needs of human being .

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

The study of textiles has become tremendously popular with the

society.Textiles have a great impact on the psyche of the individual and the
realization that it is an excellent medium to express one's creative talents has
made this subject extremely relevant to everyday living.

The word textiles means 'texture to weave'.The word textiles refers to any
product made from fibers.

Fibers are the fundamental units or the building blocks used in the making
textile yarns and fabrics.A fiber is defined as any product capable of being worn
or otherwise made into fabric.
1.1 TERMINOLOGY:

a. Fiber:

A small hair like structure is called fiber.

b.Yarn:

Many fibers are joined together to make a yarn.

c. Filament:

Long fibers or strands of continous and indefinite length are called filaments.

d.Staple:

These fibers are short and measured in inches or centimeters .The length ranges
from 3/4 of an inch to 18 inches.

e.Count: Thread or Fabric count

Determined by counting the number of warp yarns and filling yarns in one square
commonly referred to warp ends and picks are called as count of the
fabric.Number of warp yarns and weft or filling yarns in one square inch is termed
as Thread count. Warp yarns are reffered to as ends and fillings is picks.

f.Denier:

A unit of yarn number,yarn count is the realtion of length of a yarn with its weight.

g.Elasticity:

It is the ability of a stretched material to return immediately to its original size is

called elasticity.Fibers which have good elasticty provide comfort in clothing .

h.Hydrophilic:

Fibers that are able to absorb water easily are termed as hydrophilic.Hydrophilic
means "water loving".

i.Hydrphobic:
Fibers that have difficulty in absorbing water are called hydrophobic.

examples are all synthetic fibres.

j. Absorbency or moisture regain:

It is an amount of water ability to absorb moisture.

k.Luster:

The gloss,sheen or shine of a fibre,yarn or fabric. When light reflects on the

surface.

l.Heat sensitivity:

Is the ability to conduct heat away from the body .This helps in cooling the body
and making a person comfortable on a hot humid day .

m. Solubility: Ability to dissolve

It is the test used to identify the textile fibers by dissolving them in respective
solutions.Each fiber has a different solvent to identify its composition.

n.Thermoplastic fiber:

Those fibers that melt or soften when heat is applied are called thermoplastic in
nature.

o.Cohesiveness:

It is the ability of fibers to cling together during spinning, unless they have this
property it is not possible to spin fibers into yarns.

p.Pilling:

Formation of fiber ends into small balls on the surface of the fabrics on usage is
called pilling.This effects the look of the garment.

q.Abrasion resistance:

It is ability of a fiber to withstand the rubbing or abrasion. In every day use cloths
do get rubbed while folding or rubbing against other fabrics etc.Abrasion
resistance adds to fabric durability.

r.Sunlight resistant:

It is ability to withstand the radiation from direct sunlight.

s.Flexability:

Fiber should have ability to bend easily otherwise they cannot be folded or best
for different uses.

t.Moth resistance:

This is the resistance of the fiber from being eaten by insects and moths .

Short questions:
1. What is a filament fiber?

2.What is a staple fiber?

3.What is pilling?

4.What do you mean by elasticity?

5.Differentiate hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers

6.What is a thermoplastic fiber?

7.What is solubility?

8.What do you mean by flexibility?

9.Define thread count?

10.What is a denier?