Merchant converter

An individual or organisation that obtains textile material from a supplier., procures its processing and then re-sells the finished product. (See also textile agent and textile merchant.)

Merge

A group to which fiber production is assigned based on properties and dyeability. All fibers within a merge can be expected to behave uniformly and for this reason can be mixed or used interchangeably.

Merino

1. Wool from merino sheep.
Note: The merino breed of sheep originated in Spain and the wool is noted for its fineness and whiteness. It was confined to Spain until the late 1700s when merino sheep were exported to, and bred in, many other countries. Well known types of merino are: Australian, Rambouillet, Vermount, South African, Saxony. The word merino is now almost synonymous with 'fine wool', the wool being finer than 25 microns (pin).
2. A pre-20th Century term applied in France and Geri-nany to worsted fabrics produced from yarns using merino or other fine wools.
3. A plainback worsted fabric developed in England in the 1820s. It was made from fine yarns spun from merino or other fine wools of 23 to 28 tex for the warp and 17 to 22 tex for the weft.The stimulus for the development of this fabric was the availability of fine machine-spun worsted yarn.
4. Woollen fabrics made in England from yams produced from wool reclaimed from soft woollen and worsted dress goods.
5. A French shawl made from two-fold warp yam using merino wool. The weft yarn is made from other wool or silk.6. A fine cotton ftbric used as a dress material in the Philippines. It is made from yarns of 13 tex for the warp, and 15 to 10 tex for the weft with 32 ends x 32 picks per crn.

Mesh (knitting)

A needle loop expanded over two or more wales.
Note: Applied to stockings, the term spread loop refers to expansion over two wales and the stockings are described as 'mesh' or (technically) 'half-point transfer'. The stitch has ladder resistant properties.

Mesh Fabrics

A broad term for fabric characterized by open spaces between the yarns. Mesh fabrics may be woven knit lace net crochet etc.

Mesta

The fibre obtained from the bast layer of the plant Hibiscus cannabinus.
Note 1.. Kenaf is commonly known as 'mesta' in India.
Note 2: Being similar to jute in many of its properties, kenaf is used either as an alternative to, or in admixture with, jute.

Meta

A chemical prefix usually abbreviated m that denotes that two substituents on a benzene ring are separated by one carbon atom.

Metachrome process

A single-bath method of dyeing in which the fibre is treated in a dyebath containing a suitable chrome dye together with a chromate, whereby a dye-chromium complex is formed within the fibre.

Metal (fibre) (generic name)

A manufactured fibre made from any metal. (See also Classification Table, p.401.)

Metallic (fibre) (generic name U.S.A.)

A manufactured fibre composed of metal, plastic-coated metal, metal-coated plastic, or a core completely covered by metal. (See also Classification Table, p.401.)

Metallic Fiber

A manufactured fiber composed of metal plastic-coated metal metalcoated plastic or a core completely covered by metal (FTC definition). They are available in “yarn” form as well as in staple form for spinning with other fibers. A core yarn with a metal surface is produced by twisting a strip of metal around yarn of natural or manufactured fibers. The most important characteristic of metallic fiber and the chief reason for its use in textiles is glitter. Metallic fibers are used as a decorative accent in fabrics for apparel bedspreads towels draperies and upholstery. A relatively new application for metallic fibers is in carpet pile where they are being used in small percentages for control of static electricity.

Metallic yarn

A yarn which has free nietal as a component.
Note.. There are several types, the best known of which are:
(i) yarns in which separate metal fibres or filaments are included;
(ii) metal of narrow strip section, usually lustrous (see flat metal Yarn);
(iii) inetal of narrow strip section, coated or laminated with film such as viscose, cellulose ethanoate (acetate), butaiioate (butyrate), or polyester; the film may be coloured;
(iv) yarns on which metal is attached to or deposited on the fibres, e.g., chemically, by electric arc. or by adhesive;
(v) multi-end yarns in which at least one single yarn is metallic;
(vi) a gimp in which the helical covering consists of a strip of (ii) above.

Metallized fabric

A textile fabric on which metal has been deposited, e.g, chemically or by electric arc or by lamination using an adhesive.

Metallized yarn

A yarn which has free nietal as a component.
Note.. There are several types, the best known of which are:
(i) yarns in which separate metal fibres or filaments are included;
(ii) metal of narrow strip section, usually lustrous (see flat metal Yarn);
(iii) inetal of narrow strip section, coated or laminated with film such as viscose, cellulose ethanoate (acetate), butaiioate (butyrate), or polyester; the film may be coloured;
(iv) yarns on which metal is attached to or deposited on the fibres, e.g., chemically, by electric arc. or by adhesive;
(v) multi-end yarns in which at least one single yarn is metallic;
(vi) a gimp in which the helical covering consists of a strip of (ii) above.

Metameric

Descriptive of objects that exhibit metamerism.