Blended and Composite Textiles

Blended Textiles

Blended textiles refer to fabrics created by mixing two or more different types of fibres during the spinning process.
Utilisation of distinct fibres in a blend aims to maximise the benefits and minimise the limitations of each fibre.
They can be extensively customised to obtain the desired properties such as comfort, durability, easy care, shrink resistance and cost-effectiveness.
Common blends include cotton polyester (which is durable and easy-care), wool silk (which is soft and luxurious), and cotton wool (warm and absorbent).
The ratio of fibres in a blend greatly influences the overall texture, warmth, moisture absorption, and strength of the final fabric.

A composite textile consists of two or more physically distinct parts, a reinforcement and a matrix, that retain their identities in the composite, yet together provide properties superior to those of the individual constituents.
Composites are used to create fabrics that are light, strong, and have specific functional characteristics.
The matrix, often a type of polymer, is responsible for holding the reinforcement in place and transferring stresses between the reinforcement fibres.
The two main types of composites are particle reinforced composites and fibre reinforced composites.
Particle reinforced composites include cement and concrete, whereas fibre reinforced composites include fibreglass and carbon fibre composites.
Composites enable the development of advanced textile products with applications in numerous sectors such as automotive, aerospace, sports, and medical.

The selection between a blend or composite textile depends heavily on the intended end use of the fabric.
Considerations may include factors such as cost, specific performance requirements, care properties, comfort factors, and environmental influence.
For example, a blend may be suitable for everyday apparel, whereas a composite might be required for high-performance sportswear or protective clothing.
It’s essential to understand the properties of individual fibres in either a blend or composite to predict how they will perform together and meet specific user requirements.