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This lesson covers technical textiles — fabrics engineered for specific functional performance rather than purely aesthetic purposes. Technical textiles are part of AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552), Section 3.1.3.
Technical textiles are fabrics designed and manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their appearance. They are used in industries ranging from medicine to military, sportswear to construction.
Unlike conventional textiles (chosen mainly for look, feel and drape), technical textiles are selected for properties such as:
Conductive textiles are fabrics that can conduct electricity. They are made by:
| Application | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Wearable technology | Sensors woven into clothing monitor heart rate, breathing and movement |
| Heated clothing | Conductive fibres carry current to generate heat (e.g. heated gloves, jackets) |
| Touchscreen-compatible gloves | Conductive fingertips allow smartphone use without removing gloves |
| Electromagnetic shielding | Conductive fabric in military uniforms blocks radio signals |
| Smart fabrics | Fabrics that change colour, light up or communicate data |
| Medical monitoring | ECG sensors integrated into vests for continuous patient monitoring |
E-textiles (electronic textiles) combine conductive threads, LEDs, sensors and microcontrollers (such as Arduino LilyPad) to create interactive textile products. This is an excellent area for AQA NEA projects.
AQA Exam Tip: If asked about conductive fabrics, always explain the method of making the fabric conductive (e.g. weaving in metallic fibres) as well as the application. This shows understanding of both material and function.
Fire-resistant textiles are designed to resist ignition, slow the spread of flame, and/or self-extinguish when the flame source is removed.
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inherently flame-resistant | The fibre itself resists burning due to its chemical structure | Aramid fibres (Nomex, Kevlar), modacrylic, PBI |
| Chemically treated | A standard fabric is treated with a flame-retardant finish | Proban-treated cotton (used in workwear) |
| Intumescent coatings | Coating swells when heated, forming an insulating char layer | Applied to theatrical curtains, upholstery |
| Application | Material Used |
|---|---|
| Firefighter suits | Nomex outer shell + moisture barrier + thermal liner |
| Racing driver overalls | Nomex — protects for ~11 seconds in a fire |
| Children's nightwear | Must meet BS EN 14878 flammability standards |
| Aircraft seating | Flame-retardant upholstery to allow evacuation time |
| Welding aprons | Leather or flame-resistant cotton |
| Furnishing fabrics | Must comply with UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations |
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 require that upholstered furniture sold in the UK meets specified ignition resistance standards. This is tested using a cigarette test and a match-flame test.
Kevlar is a high-performance aramid fibre developed by DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek in 1965. Its full chemical name is poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Five times stronger than steel (weight for weight) |
| Heat resistance | Decomposes at ~500 °C; does not melt |
| Cut resistance | Extremely difficult to cut with standard tools |
| Lightweight | Much lighter than steel for equivalent strength |
| Flexibility | Can be woven into flexible fabric |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to many solvents and chemicals |
| Limitation | Detail |
|---|---|
| UV degradation | Weakens when exposed to prolonged sunlight |
| Compressive strength | Poor — strong in tension but buckles under compression |
| Moisture absorption | Absorbs water, which can reduce performance |
| Difficult to cut and process | Special tools required for cutting and sewing |
| Cost | Significantly more expensive than conventional textiles |
| Application | Why Kevlar Is Used |
|---|---|
| Body armour / bulletproof vests | Absorbs and disperses the energy of a bullet across a wide area |
| Motorcycle clothing | Abrasion-resistant jeans and jackets protect riders in a slide |
| Cut-resistant gloves | Protects hands in industries involving sharp tools (e.g. glass handling, food preparation) |
| Aerospace | Lightweight reinforcement in aircraft and satellite components |
| Marine | Sails and ropes that are strong, lightweight and resistant to saltwater |
| Tyres | Kevlar belts reinforce car and bicycle tyres, reducing punctures |
| Sports equipment | Helmets, canoes, kayaks and drumheads |
AQA Exam Tip: Kevlar is frequently tested. The key fact is: "Five times stronger than steel, weight for weight." Always link this to a specific application — body armour is the most commonly expected example.
Gore-Tex is a technical textile membrane developed by Wilbert L. Gore in 1969. It is made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) — a form of PTFE (Teflon) that has been stretched to create a microporous structure.
The Gore-Tex membrane contains 9 billion pores per square inch. Each pore is:
This creates a fabric that is simultaneously waterproof and breathable.
A typical Gore-Tex garment has three layers:
| Layer | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Outer fabric | Nylon or polyester | Provides durability and abrasion resistance; treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) |
| Gore-Tex membrane | Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) | Waterproof and breathable barrier |
| Lining | Soft fabric (e.g. nylon mesh) | Protects the membrane from abrasion and improves comfort next to skin |
The diagram below shows the three-layer laminate and how rain is blocked while sweat vapour escapes:
graph TD
R["Rain droplets\n(blocked - too large)"] --> O["Outer Fabric\n(Nylon + DWR)"]
O --> M["ePTFE Membrane\n(microporous)"]
M --> L["Inner Lining\n(comfort layer)"]
L --> SK["Skin"]
SK -->|Sweat vapour| L
L -->|Vapour passes| M
M -->|Vapour escapes| OUT["Atmosphere"]
| Application | Why Gore-Tex Is Used |
|---|---|
| Outdoor jackets | Keeps the wearer dry in rain while allowing sweat vapour to escape |
| Hiking boots | Waterproof, breathable footwear for wet conditions |
| Gloves | Keeps hands dry and warm in outdoor activities |
| Military uniforms | Soldiers stay dry and comfortable in all weather conditions |
| Medical applications | Gore-Tex patches are used in surgery (e.g. vascular grafts) because PTFE is biocompatible |
AQA Exam Tip: A classic AQA question is: "Explain how Gore-Tex is both waterproof and breathable." Your answer must reference the microporous membrane with pores that are smaller than water droplets but larger than water vapour molecules. This is the key fact that earns the marks.
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