Para

A chemical prefix usually abbreviated p indicating that two substituents on a benzene ring are separated by two carbon atoms.

Paracortex

The inner portion of most animal hair fibres. It consists of so-called 'spindle-cells' which are about 100 microns in length and are built from longitudinally oriented fibrils. The cortex usually represents more than 90% of the total mass of the fibre.
Note: In crimped, fine wools the cortex is divided into two hemi cylinders, the orthocortex and the paracortex, which are wound around each other helically in phase with the fibre crimp. The dividing line between ortho and paracortex generally corresponds to the major axis of the elliptical cross section of the fibre. The two components have different physical and chemical properties with the orthoeortex being more reactive, more accessible to dyestuffs, and more sensitive to swelling agents than the paracortex. The different physical properties also give rise to crimp. (See also bicomponent fibre.)

Parallel line gratings

Transparent plates containing uniformly spaced parallel lines in the cross-wise direction. It is possible to determine the number of threads per unit length (cm or inch) in a fabric by selecting an appropriate grating and placing it parallel to a set of threads. The number of lines appearing on the grating indicates the difference between the total number of lines on the grating and the total number of threads in the area covered by the grating. By placing a grating at a small angle to a set of threads, irregularities in their spacing can be detected.

Parallel-laying

The production of a web or batt front single or superimposed card webs, laid in the direction of carding, for nonwoven fabric manufacture.

Paralleling

The process of aligning fibers to produce a more uniform smoother stronger yarn.

Paramatta

A fine quality 1/2 twill fabric with worsted weft, used particularly in the making of double-texture rubber-proofed garments.
Note: The term was originally applied to a dress fabric with silk (later cotton) warp, woven in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Parchmentizing

A finishing treatment, comprising a short contact with, eg. sulphuric acid of high concentration, the aim of which is to produce a variety of effects, depending on the type of fabric and the conditions used, ranging from a linen-like handle to a transparent organdie effect. The treatment is applied mainly to cotton. Reagents other than sulphuric acid will also produce the effect.

Paris binding

A binding, with firm handle, of twill or herringbone twill weave (usually 3/1) originally made with silk warp and polished cotton weft, but usually made with mercerized cotton or continuous filament warp and weft. Often used to reinforce clothing subject to high abrasion.

Part Run

A partially filled bobbin that occurs when an end breaks before the completion of a doff cycle. The total weight of yarn normally wound during a cycle is not obtained on the bobbin at the break position. The number of part runs is used as a measure of spinning performance.

Partially Oriented Staple

Staple fibers cut from tow that has been drawn less than normal so that only partial longitudinal orientation of the polymer molecules exists.

Partially oriented yarn

A continuous-filament yarn made by extruding a synthetic polymer so that a substantial demise of molecular orientation is present in the resulting filaments, but further substantial molecular orientation is possible.
Note 1: The resulting yarn will usually require to be drawn in subsequent processing in order to orient more fully the molecular structure and optimise tensile properties.
Note 2.. Yarns of this type made by high-speed spinning are commonly used as a feedstock for producing draw-textured yarns (see draw-texturing) or for draw-warping.

Partially Oriented Yarns (Poy)

Filament yarns in which the draw ratio is less than normal resulting in only partial longitudinal orientation of the polymer molecules.

Patch pocket

A pocket formed by the application of at piece of material to the surface of a garment.

Pattern

A representation of the shapes and sizes of all the component parts to be cut from material necessary to make a garment or other made-up product, including seam and hem allowances. These individual components are referred to as 'pattern pieces'.
Note: Patterns may be constructed from card or other sheet material, or may be held as digital information in a computer database, and are used primarily as a means of controlling the cutting of fabric.

Pattern attachment

A device which controls the pile yam feed so as to produce a high and low pile surface.(sub category of basic components tufting machine (carpet))