Advanced Fabric Structures

Advanced fabric structures encompass a variety of sophisticated techniques used to manipulate and construct fabrics in complex ways.
They are integral to the development of textiles intended for specific uses, particularly in technical, scientific, medical and other specialised areas.
Depending on their design and manufacturing processes, these fabrics can exhibit a range of high-performance attributes, such as strength, flexibility, breathability, and resistance to various environmental factors.

Nonwoven fabrics: Unlike traditional woven or knitted textiles, nonwoven materials are made by bonding fibres together. They are commonly used for their filtering capabilities and flexibility in strength and thickness.
3D Fabrics: Configured in three dimensions, these fabrics offer improved thickness, strength, stiffness and impact resistance. They are prevalent in heavy-duty applications such as protective gear and industry materials.
Knitted structures: These involve different types of knitting, like weft and warp knitting. Weft knitting is often used for cloth due to its elasticity and comfort. Warp knitting is used for industrial purposes due to its run-resistant feature.
Composite fabrics: These are formed by combining at least two materials to produce a fabric with improved properties. Composites can be designed for specific end-use applications, such as ballistic protection or high-performance sportswear.

A wide range of synthetic fibres like polyamide, polyester, and aramid are used in advanced structures due to their strength, flexibility, and other types of performance.
Natural fibres can be used where comfort, biodegradability and other specific properties are required. Materials like cotton, wool, silk and linen are common examples.
Smart fibres, which respond to changes in their environment (such as temperature or moisture), may also be used in advanced fabric structures.

Advanced fabric structures find usage in a myriad of applications. Examples include high-performance sportswear, military and law enforcement gear, medical textiles, and technical textiles for aerospace or automotive industries.
Innovative uses like smart clothing, which can monitor vital signs or regulate body temperature, are also possible with the introduction of smart fibres in these structures.

The sustainability of advanced fabrics depends on the fibres used and the manufacturing processes implemented. The use of recycled or biodegradable fibres and applying environmentally friendly manufacturing methods is crucial for a sustainable textile industry.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a useful tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of a textile product from raw material extraction to end of life.
It is increasingly important, both for producers and consumers, that textiles are recyclable, biodegradable, or can be produced in a way that offers a lower carbon footprint or reduced water usage.