The definition of technical textiles adopted by the Authoritative Textile Terms and Definitionspublished by the Textile Institute is “textile materials and products manufactured primarilyfor their technical and performance properties rather than their aesthetic or decorativecharacteristics.”

“Technical textiles” is the term given to textile products manufactured for nonaestheticpurposes, where function is the primary criterion. Technical textiles consist of all those textile-based products, which are used principally for their performance, functional characteristics,technical properties, and used for non-consumer (i.e. industrial) applications rather than for theirappearance, aesthetics, and decorative characteristics.

The Technical Textile and Nonwoven Association (TTNA) of Australia defines technical andnon-woven textiles industry as a supply chain that covers the manufacture of high performanceoften customized fabrics, for various industrial users (such as the automotive, sanitation andconstruction industries) and for individuals with specialist personal use requirements (such assports and leisure equipment and clothing).

In many cases it has been replacing the conventional materials with low cost, high efficiencymaterials along with many other features. Other terms used for defining technical textiles includeindustrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles, engineering textiles, invisible textiles,and hi-tech textiles. Here one should note that “industrial textiles” is a category of technical textiles used as a part of an industrial process, or incorporated into final products.

The basic and main characteristic of technical textiles that differentiates it from ordinary ortraditional textiles is its purpose, i.e., functionality and performance. Technical textiles couldbe made from both natural and synthetic fibres. It can be used by both individuals for specialistpersonal use and requirements of industries. Terms such as performance textiles, functionaltextiles, engineered textiles, and high tech textiles are also used in various contexts sometimes asa substitute for the world “technical textiles”.

Technical textile can be made from natural, man-made, inorganic fibres.

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