Glossary
Glossary to key Terms and Definitions for "Functional Textile"
- Adaptive clothing
- Adaptive clothing is clothing that adapts to environmental conditions and the physical state of the person wearing them. Many functional textiles have such features, too.
- Antimicrobial
- An anti-microbial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans.
- Breathability
- Breathability is the ability of a fabric to allow moisture vapor to be transmitted through the material. Especially functional textiles with membrane offer most favourable breathability.
- Coating
- Coating is a covering that is applied to the surface of an object, usually referred to as the substrate. In many cases coatings are applied to improve surface properties of the substrate, such as appearance, adhesion, wetability, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and scratch resistance.
- Dilation
- In materials science, deformation is a change in the shape or size of an object due to an applied force (the deformation energy in this case is transferred through work) or a change in temperature (the deformation energy in this case is transferred through heat). The elasticity shows how a material can be extended without breaking or ripping. Also functional textiles with membrane can be up to 300% dilatable.
- Elasticity
- In physics, elasticity is the physical property of a material that returns to its original shape after the stress (e.g. external forces) that made it deform is removed. The relative amount of deformation is called the strain. Using functional textiles above all in dynamic activities, these must be especially elastic.
- Fleece
- Fleece is polyester made from synthetic wool. This is mainly used in textiles and functional clothing and serves the function of heat insulation. In addition to the heat-insulating property, Fleece has also other advantages like elasticity, resistance and water repellency. Further, it is recyclable and thus conserve raw.
- Fluorocarbon
- Fluorocarbon is, according to common usage of the application and processing industry, a group of materials, whose main characteristic is the water-repellency. Because of this property fluorocarbons are frequently used for impregnation of textiles.
- Functional Clothing
- Functional clothing is clothing made of breathable, waterproof and sweat-absorbing fabrics and so excellently appropriate for the high standards of clothing in sport, leisure, work protection and security. Ideal for high performance sport, leisure and safety.
- Functional Textiles
- Functional textiles are characterized by breathability, thermal regulation, durability, water and wind resistance. The fabrics provide optimal comfort and ensure within the clothing in case of temperature, air and moisture changes perfect climate. Due to these features performance textiles are often used in functional clothing for sports, leisure, work and safety wear.
- Hydrophilic
- "Hydrophilic" is translated from ancient Greek, defined as water-loving or water attracting. The opposite is the term "hydrophobic" that means water resistant.
- Hydrophob
- The word "hydrophobic" comes from ancient Greek and means "water resistant". Hydrophobic substances do not mix with water, but leave it to "roll off". The opposite of hydrophobic is hydrophilic and means water loving or water attracting.
- Impregnation
- Impregnation is a process for the treatment of textiles and fabrics with impregnating agent. The impregnation agents cause that the textiles and fabrics cannot absorb any liquid. So the impregnation textiles and fabrics are protected from moisture. Most waterproofing agents are prepared from waxes and paraffins, and thus protect against water absorption.
- Knit fabric
- Knit fabric is substance that is produced industrially by stitch formation. Knit fabrics are for example: plush, fleece and nylon.
- Laminate
- Laminates are layers produced with materials which are processed to clothing. There is a classificationbetween shell laminate, lining laminate, 3-layer laminate and laminate insert. Depending on the process of manufacture the laminates are just as suitable for lightweight, fashionable clothes or outdoor clothing.
- Layered clothing
- Layered clothing (Layer principle) describes a combination of clothing layers to achieve optimal comfort and perfect protection against the cold, wind and wetness. 1. Layer (inner layer): functional clothing that ensures the sweat transport. 2. Layer (middle layer) has an insulating and regulating function. 3. Layer (outer layer) has to be weatherproof, durable and breathable.
- Membran
- Membrane is a material that is invisibly integrated inside weather-protective clothing to reliably reject wind and rain. Due to the water vapour transmission membrane also ensure a pleasant body climate.
- Microfiber
- Microfibers are a summary of fibers that are less than 1 dtex (decitex or 1 gram per 10,000 meters). The main feature of microfibers in comparison to other thin fabrics is a very soft, but very dimensionally stable structure. Microfibers are used for imitation leather, bed linens, towels or functional clothing.
- Polyester
- Polyester is a synthetic fiber that, despite their lower weight, is very durable, flexible and tear-resistant. The polyester fabric is easy-care, quick drying and wrinkle-free. Polyester is used especially in weather-proof clothing, bedding, outerwear and workwear.
- PTFE
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic material that is characterized by the properties such as strength, low flammability and its water resistant nature. In recent years, the PTFE fluorine compounds came under criticism due to the suspicion that they could be harmful.
- Ret-Wert
- Ret-value is the measure to determine the breathing activity. Respiratory activity at a value under 6 is categorized as “extremely breathable”, 6-13 “very breathable”, 13-20 “breathable” andover 20 as "not breathable".
- Water resistance
- Water resistance is the feature of clothing, equipment and materials to prevent water penetration. Water resistance is also known as hydrophobicity and can be achieved for example by impregnating substances.
- Waterproof fabrics
- Waterproof fabrics are materials that, due to their surface and special equipment, do not allow water interior penetration. Waterproof textiles are very popular in the manufacture of sportswear and protective clothing.
- Water-repellent fabrics
- Water-repellent fabrics are fabrics that are characterized by a special coating. This allows water to run off the surface and prevents water penetration. The water-repellent property can be achieved by fluorocarbon or by impregnation with impregnating agent. In general water-repellent fabrics and textiles are also known as hydrophobic.
- Wax impregnation
- Wax impregnation is an emulsion, which is based on natural waxes and oils. In the clothing sector wax impregnation is used to make textiles wind- and water-repellent.
- Weather protective
clothing - Weather protective clothing is clothing that provide through the use of innovative membranes and other functional textiles, perfect protection against wind, cold and wet. Weather protective clothing is particularly used for sport, leisure and work under extreme conditions.
- Weather resistant
materials - Weather resistant materials are textiles which are characterized especially by their durability and resistance. These materials are used in the production of outdoor and work clothing.
- Wind-Chill Effect
- Wind chill effect is the difference between the perceived and actual temperature as a function of wind speed. For example, when an air temperature is 5 °C and the wind speed is 30 km/h, the perceived temperature is -6 °C. Such an effect occurs only at low (near or below 0 °C) temperatures.
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