Advanced Composite

Polymer resin or other matrix-material system in which reinforcement is accomplished via high-strength high-modulus materials in continuous filament form or is discontinuous form such as staple fibers fibrets and in-situ dispersions. (Also see COMPOSITE.)

Advertising tape

A weftless narrow fabric consisting of a number of warp threads held together with an adhesive.

Aeroelastic (technical textiles)

Descriptive of the phenomena or analyses combining aerodynamics and elastic behaviour, in relation to air-supported and tension membrane structures.

Aeroplane fabric

Any fabric used as the outer covering of a heavier-than-air aircraft, but now usually a simple, single, closely specified fabric of tightly woven construction, which may include rip-stop threads to enhance tear resistance.
Note: Such fabrics were originally made of cotton or linen, and doped in place to shrink the fabric on to an air frame to reduce air permeability. They may be doped in order to provide environmental protection. Modern fabrics are typically polyester- or polyamide-based and may be coated with a thin polymer film or films, these fabrics being used on light and micro-light aircraft, gliders and hang-gliders.

Aesthetics

In textiles properties perceived by touch and sight such as the hand color luster drape and texture of fabrics or garments.

Affinity

The quantitative expression of substantivity. It is the difference between the chemical potential of the dye in its standard state in the fibre and the corresponding chemical potential in the dyebath.
Note: Affinity is usually expressed in units of joules (or calories) per mole. Use of this term in a qualitative sense, synonymous with substantivity, is deprecated.

Afgalaine

A plain-weave, all-wool dress fabric, containing (i) woollen warp with woollen weft (usually woven: 17x17; 78x78tex woollen warp and weft; 285 g/m2 ; K=15.0+15.0; 1.52m wide), or
(ii) worsted warp with woollen weft (usually woven: 16x 1 3; 74tex worsted x 88tex woollen; 250 g/ m2; K=13.8+12.2; 1.52m wide).
Note: In both types, the warp ends are usually S and Z-twist alternately, with S-twist woollen weft and usually woven 1.52m wide with 17 ends and picks per cm and 8tex woollen warp and weft.

Afghalaine

A plain-weave, all-wool dress fabric, containing (i) woollen warp with woollen weft (usually woven: 17x17; 78x78tex woollen warp and weft; 285 g/m2 ; K=15.0+15.0; 1.52m wide), or
(ii) worsted warp with woollen weft (usually woven: 16x 1 3; 74tex worsted x 88tex woollen; 250 g/ m2; K=13.8+12.2; 1.52m wide).
Note: In both types, the warp ends are usually S and Z-twist alternately, with S-twist woollen weft and usually woven 1.52m wide with 17 ends and picks per cm and 8tex woollen warp and weft.

After-welt

A band on a stocking, following the welt, in which there is a variation of quality, stitch, and/ or yarn.

Afterflame

Continuous flaming of a material after removal of the ignition source.

Afterflame time

The length of time for which a material continues to flame, under specified test conditions, after the ignition source has been removed.

Afterglow

Glow in a material after the removal of an external ignition source or after the cessation (natural or induced) of flaming of the material.

Afterglow time

The time for which a material continues to glow, under specified test conditions, after cessation of flaming or after removal of the external ignition source.

Aftertreatment

Any treatment done after fabric production. In dyeing it refers to treating dyed material in ways to improve properties; in nonwovens it refers to finishing processes carried out after a web has been formed and bonded. Examples are embossing creping softening printing and dyeing.

Agave

Genus of spiny-leaved plants yielding various types of leaf fibres, e.g., cantata, henequen, sisal.