A fabric is a flexible, flat material made from solutions, fibers, yarns, or a combination of these. Some fabrics are created directly from fiber webs through bonding, fusing, or interlocking to produce non-woven fabrics and felts. However, their physical properties can limit their usage. The most versatile and widely used method for producing textiles is by transforming yarn into fabric through mechanical manipulation, allowing for a broad range of applications.
Types of Fabric:
There are three main techniques for transforming yarn into fabric: interweaving (or interlacing), interlooping, and intertwining. These methods, originally performed by hand on simple frames, have evolved into complex processes carried out by advanced automated machines.
1. Interweaving:
This involves the crossing and interlacing of two sets of straight threads, known as warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise), which intersect at right angles. Weaving is the oldest and most common way to create continuous, straight-edged fabric.
2. Interlooping:
In this process, yarn is looped together, with each loop being secured by the formation of the next loop. This creates a stable structure, where knitting is the most popular method. Second only to weaving, knitting produces around seven million tons of textiles annually. With advancements in technology, knitted fabrics now serve a wide array of uses, from apparel to industrial applications.
3. Intertwining and Twisting:
This category includes methods like braiding and knotting, where threads intertwine at specific angles. These techniques produce specialized fabric structures used for specific purposes.
Non-Woven Fabrics:
Another significant method for creating textiles is through the non-woven process. This branch of textile production grew rapidly after World War II due to its cost-efficiency and high production rates. Non-wovens consist of layers of fibers, either oriented in one direction or arranged randomly. These fibers are bonded through chemical, thermal, or mechanical methods to create flexible, porous textile products suitable for a range of applications.