Classification of Technical Textiles

Technical textiles are high-performance fabrics designed for functional applications

rather than aesthetics. They are used in industries like medical, automotive,
geotechnical, sports, and defense.

A. Classification Based on End-Use

1.​ Agrotech – Used in agriculture (e.g., shade nets, crop covers).

2.​ Buildtech – Used in construction (e.g., concrete reinforcement fabrics).
3.​ Geotech – Used in geotechnical applications (e.g., road reinforcement).
4.​ Medtech – Used in medical textiles (e.g., surgical gowns, bandages).
5.​ Mobiltech – Used in automotive and aerospace (e.g., airbags, seat covers).
6.​ Oekotech – Used in environmental protection (e.g., oil spill absorbents).
7.​ Packtech – Used in packaging (e.g., bulk bags, sacks).
8.​ Protech – Used for personal protection (e.g., bulletproof vests).
9.​ Sporttech – Used in sports and outdoor applications (e.g., parachutes,
swimsuits).
10.​Hometech – Used in home furnishing (e.g., fire-resistant curtains).

2. Fabric Structures in Technical Textiles

Technical textiles are manufactured using three primary fabric structures:

A. Woven Fabrics

●​ Made by interlacing warp (longitudinal) and weft (crosswise) yarns in a

regular pattern.
●​ Offers high tensile strength and dimensional stability.
●​ Used in geotextiles, filtration, industrial belts.

Types of Woven Fabrics:

1.​ Plain Weave – Simple over-under pattern (e.g., tarpaulins).

2.​ Twill Weave – Diagonal pattern, more flexible (e.g., conveyor belts).
3.​ Satin Weave – Smooth surface, used in specialized applications.
4.​ Basket Weave – Two or more yarns interwoven for higher strength.
B. Knitted Fabrics

●​ Made by interlocking loops of yarn using knitting machines.

●​ More elastic, flexible, and breathable than woven fabrics.
●​ Used in medical bandages, protective clothing, sportswear.

Types of Knitted Fabrics:

1.​ Warp Knitting – Yarns run parallel (e.g., tricot, raschel fabrics for reinforcement).
2.​ Weft Knitting – Yarns run horizontally (e.g., jerseys, used in stretchable textiles).

C. Non-Woven Fabrics

●​ Made without weaving or knitting; fibers are bonded using mechanical, thermal,
or chemical methods.
●​ Offers lightweight, high absorbency, and low cost.
●​ Used in disposable medical textiles, filtration, automotive interiors.

Types of Non-Woven Fabrics:

1.​ Dry-Laid Non-Wovens – Fibers are laid dry and bonded.

2.​ Wet-Laid Non-Wovens – Fibers are dispersed in water and bonded.
3.​ Spunbonded Non-Wovens – Continuous filaments are extruded and bonded.
4.​ Meltblown Non-Wovens – Fine fibers are blown onto a collector and bonded.

3. Different Methods of Making Technical Textiles

Technical textiles are manufactured using various techniques depending on their

purpose.

A. Weaving Method

●​ Used for high-strength, stable textiles.

●​ Example: Industrial filters, composite reinforcement fabrics.

B. Knitting Method

●​ Produces flexible, elastic fabrics.

●​ Example: Medical compression garments, sportswear.
C. Non-Woven Method

●​ Fast and cost-effective.

●​ Example: Medical masks, automotive insulation.

D. Extrusion Method

●​ Used to produce films, sheets, and fiber-based materials.

●​ Example: Waterproof breathable membranes in protective clothing.

E. 3D Textile Manufacturing

●​ Advanced 3D weaving and knitting for composite reinforcement.

●​ Example: Aerospace, sports equipment, ballistic protection.

4. Various Bonding Methods in Non-Woven Technical Textiles

Non-woven textiles require bonding techniques to provide structure and durability.

A. Mechanical Bonding

●​ Uses needles or hydro-entanglement to entangle fibers.

●​ Creates high-strength and durable fabrics.
●​ Example: Geotextiles, industrial wipes.

Types of Mechanical Bonding:

1.​ Needle Punching – Fibers are mechanically interlocked using barbed needles.
2.​ Hydro-Entanglement (Spunlace) – High-pressure water jets bond fibers.

B. Thermal Bonding

●​ Uses heat and pressure to bond fibers.

●​ Energy-efficient and lightweight.
●​ Example: Diapers, medical gowns.

Types of Thermal Bonding:

1.​ Calendar Bonding – Uses heated rollers to fuse fibers.

 2.​ Through-Air Bonding – Uses hot air to bond thermoplastic fibers.

C. Chemical Bonding

●​ Uses adhesives or resins to bond fibers.

●​ Creates soft, flexible, and durable non-wovens.
●​ Example: Wet wipes, protective clothing.

Types of Chemical Bonding:

1.​ Spray Bonding – Adhesives are sprayed onto fibers.

2.​ Foam Bonding – Foam-based binders are used to coat the fabric.
Geo Textiles

1. Introduction to Geo Textiles

Geo textiles are engineered fabrics used in civil engineering, environmental, and
geotechnical applications to improve soil properties and structural stability. They are
classified under the broader category of geo-synthetics and are made from natural or
synthetic fibers.

Functions of Geo Textiles

Geo textiles perform multiple functions depending on their design and application:

1.​ Separation
○​ Prevents the mixing of different soil layers.
○​ Example: In road construction, it separates the base gravel from subsoil,
preventing contamination.
2.​ Filtration
○​ Allows water to pass while trapping soil particles.
○​ Example: Used in drainage systems to maintain water flow without
clogging.
3.​ Drainage
○​ Facilitates the controlled movement of water.
○​ Example: Placed in embankments and retaining walls to allow water
seepage without causing soil erosion.
4.​ Reinforcement
○​ Enhances soil strength by distributing loads.
○​ Example: Used in slopes, embankments, and retaining walls to prevent
collapse.
5.​ Erosion Control
○​ Protects against wind and water erosion.
○​ Example: Coastal geo textiles prevent soil loss from waves and tides.
6.​ Protection
○​ Acts as a cushioning layer to prevent mechanical damage.
○​ Example: Used under geomembranes in landfills.

2. Types of Geo Textiles

Geo textiles are classified based on manufacturing processes and raw materials.
A. Classification Based on Manufacturing Process

1.​ Woven Geo Textiles

○​ Made by weaving yarns perpendicularly.
○​ High tensile strength, low elongation.
○​ Example: Polypropylene woven geo textiles for road reinforcement.
○​ Advantages: High durability, excellent load distribution.
○​ Disadvantages: Low permeability, limited flexibility.
2.​ Non-Woven Geo Textiles
○​ Manufactured using needle punching, thermal, or chemical bonding.
○​ Random fiber arrangement, higher permeability.
○​ Example: Polyester non-woven geo textiles in drainage and filtration.
○​ Advantages: Better filtration, flexibility.
○​ Disadvantages: Lower strength compared to woven fabrics.
3.​ Knitted Geo Textiles
○​ Made using warp knitting or weft knitting.
○​ More flexible, lower strength than woven textiles.
○​ Example: Polyester warp-knitted geo textiles for temporary reinforcement.
4.​ Stitched Geo Textiles
○​ Created by stitching multiple textile layers together.
○​ Used in composite geo textiles.
○​ Example: Used in high-stress filtration and drainage systems.

B. Classification Based on Raw Materials

1.​ Synthetic Geo Textiles

○​ Made from petrochemical-based polymers.
○​ High durability, resistant to biological and chemical degradation.
○​ Common materials:
■​ Polypropylene (PP) – Lightweight, strong, chemical-resistant.
■​ Polyester (PET) – High tensile strength, UV resistant.
■​ Polyamide (Nylon) – Good abrasion resistance.
■​ Polyethylene (PE) – Used in moisture-barrier applications.
2.​ Natural Geo Textiles
○​ Made from biodegradable fibers.
○​ Used in short-term applications like erosion control.
○​ Common materials:
■​ Coir (Coconut fiber) – High moisture retention, durable.
■​ Jute – Good for temporary soil stabilization.
 ■​ Cotton & Wool – Limited use in agricultural textiles.

3. Fibres and Yarns Used in Geo Textiles

Geo textiles require specialized fibers and yarns that can withstand harsh
environmental conditions.

A. Fibres Used

1.​ Synthetic Fibres

○​ Derived from petrochemicals, offering durability and resistance.
○​ Examples:
■​ Polypropylene (PP) – High chemical resistance.
■​ Polyester (PET) – High strength and UV stability.
2.​ Natural Fibres
○​ Eco-friendly, but biodegradable.
○​ Examples:
■​ Coir & Jute – Used in erosion control.
■​ Cotton & Wool – Used in temporary water retention applications.

B. Types of Yarns Used

1.​ Monofilament Yarns – Single continuous filament, used for high-strength

applications.
2.​ Multifilament Yarns – Multiple filaments twisted together for flexibility and
filtration.
3.​ Staple Fibre Yarns – Short fibers spun into yarns, common in non-woven
textiles.
4.​ High-Tenacity Yarns – Engineered for high-strength applications like soil
stabilization.

4. Essential Properties of Geo Textiles

Geo textiles must have specific physical, mechanical, and chemical properties to
function effectively.

A. Mechanical Properties
 1.​ Tensile Strength – Measures resistance to stretching forces.
2.​ Elongation – Ability to stretch without breaking.
3.​ Tear Resistance – Ability to resist tearing under load.
4.​ Burst Strength – Ability to withstand sudden pressure.

B. Hydraulic Properties

1.​ Permeability – Controls water flow.

2.​ Water Absorption – Determines erosion resistance.
3.​ Pore Size Distribution – Influences filtration efficiency.

C. Chemical Properties

1.​ Chemical Resistance – Essential for industrial applications.

2.​ UV Resistance – Protects from degradation under sunlight.

D. Durability Properties

1.​ Abrasion Resistance – Prevents wear and tear.

2.​ Biodegradability – Important for natural fiber textiles.

5. Manufacturing Methods of Geo Textiles

Geo textiles are manufactured using various techniques based on their application.

A. Woven Geo Textiles Production

●​ Uses shuttle looms or air-jet looms.

●​ Interlaced yarns provide high strength.

B. Non-Woven Geo Textiles Production

1.​ Needle Punching – Mechanically bonds fibers using barbed needles.

2.​ Thermal Bonding – Uses heat and pressure to fuse fibers.
3.​ Chemical Bonding – Uses adhesives to bond fibers.

C. Knitted Geo Textiles Production

●​ Produced using warp or weft knitting machines.

●​ More flexible than woven textiles.
6. Applications of Geo Textiles

Geo textiles have numerous applications in civil engineering, environmental

management, and agriculture.

A. Civil Engineering Applications

1.​ Road Construction – Prevents soil mixing and reinforces roads.

2.​ Railway Track Stabilization – Prevents erosion and ballast contamination.
3.​ Retaining Walls – Improves wall stability.
4.​ Erosion Control – Used in coastal and riverbank protection.

B. Environmental Applications

1.​ Landfills – Acts as filtration and drainage layers.

2.​ Flood Control – Used in flood barriers and drainage systems.

C. Agricultural Applications

1.​ Weed Control – Prevents weed growth while allowing water penetration.
2.​ Water Retention – Used in irrigation systems.