Functional Fabrics for Comfort and Other Applications

A functional fabric is a textile material with inbuilt functions that can be controlled or adjusted according to its intended use. These inbuilt functions are incorporated in the fabric during its manufacturing process at fiber, yarn fabric or garment stage. Functional properties such as wicking, thermoregulation, odor control, moisture management, fire retardant, anticrease and fluorescent whitening, antimicrobial and abrasion resistance, thermal or moisture insulation and self-cleaning are some of the common functional textiles used for apparels and other applications.

The current textile industry has shifted from conventional fabrics to smart or functional textiles with advanced functions that are capable of seeing, hearing, sensing, communicating and generating energy. These functional textiles have potential application in various industries including aerospace, automotive and apparel. However, there are barriers to their commercialization that limit the market for these advanced fabrics. This is because the technical knowledge required to design and develop these functional textiles is scarce.

Among the various functional fabrics, comfort textiles are one of the most widely used and important for consumer satisfaction. The fabric must provide good physiological feel, such as air permeability, thermal comfort, wet comfort and anti-itching. In addition, the fabric must be easy to handle and maintain.

In functional textiles, aerothermal technology based on the thermal insulation and water repellent function is very popular for outdoor sports such as hiking and mountain climbing. This is because the fabric prevents the wearer from chilly and cold environments by keeping body heat in while protecting the wearer from wind and rain. This type of functional textile is often made with viscose and polyester fibers.

Another popular functional fabric is health-care nylon yarn with the functions far-infrared, antibacterial, deodorant and insect proof. The far-infrared function is a feature that provides heat to the body, which helps to reduce the risk of diseases and promotes the health of consumers. The other functions of the health-care nylon yarn include anticrease and fluorescent whitening, which can protect the wearers from harmful ultraviolet radiation, and flame, high temperature, electromagnetic radiation, noise and external impact. These functional fibers are used in the manufacture of clothing, household textiles and industrial textiles.