Lesson video

Hello, I'm Mrs. Taylor, and thank you for joining me for our lesson today.

Our lesson today is enhancing the properties of textiles, and this is part of the Technical Principles Unit.

The outcome.

I can explain how textile material properties can be enhanced.

There are five key words.

Properties, which are words used to describe how a material appears, the physical characteristics or behaves when worked, which are the working or mechanical properties.

Combine, which is to join two or more things to create something new.

Modify, to change something to make it perform differently.

Reinforce, to make something stronger, and structural integrity, how well something stays together and holds up without breaking.

There are three parts to our lesson today.

Combining materials, modifying materials, and structural integrity.

Let's start with combining materials.

Materials don't always have the perfect properties for the job we want them to do.

Sometimes they're too weak, too flexible, not hard-wearing enough, or can't handle heat or moisture.

By enhancing material properties, we can make products stronger and last longer, improve safety and performance, and allow innovation in design and function.

Properties are words used to describe how a material appears, which is the physical property or its characteristics or behaves when worked, which is the working or mechanical properties.

There are three ways that a materials properties can be enhanced.

Combining, which is joining together, modifying, which is changing, and reinforcing, which is making stronger.

Here we have a check for understanding.

Which three methods are used to enhance material properties? Is it A, compare, model, reinforce? B, combine, manufacture, repeat? C, combine, modify, and reinforce? Or D, compare, modify, and reuse? Pause the video and have a go.

Fabulous.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's C, combine, modify, and reinforce.

Well done.

Composites are materials made by combining.

A matrix, which is known as the binder and reinforcement for strength to create a material with improved overall properties.

A composite is like a chocolate chip cookie.

The dough is the matrix, sometimes called the binder, and the chips are the reinforcement, the added strength.

It can also be like a lava or layer cake where the reinforcement is encapsulated or layered through the matrix.

Composite examples.

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic, abbreviated to CRP, is made from layers of woven cloth of carbon fibres, which is the reinforcement and resin, which is the matrix.

It results in a high strength, lightweight material and can be used for prosthetics.

Kevlar is made from layers of woven Kevlar fibres, which is the reinforcement combined with resin, which is the matrix.

It results in a tough, lightweight material and can be used for bulletproof vests.

Let's have a check for understanding.

In a composite material, what is the role of the reinforcement? Is it A, to hold the structure together, B, to give strength or other useful properties, C, to act as a decorative layer or D, to make the material more flexible? Pause video, and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's B, to give strength or other useful properties.

Sometimes composite materials don't include a matrix and reinforcement.

They are simply laminated, which means layered together.

Mattress protectors are usually made from cotton or polyester laminated with a polymer film.

This provides a breathable and hygienic layer.

Some outdoor clothing is made from woven fabric like nylon or polyester, laminated with a micro porous membrane creating a breathable and waterproof layer.

Another example is soundproofing materials are made by laminating fabric with foam layers to reduce noise and provide cushioning.

Fabrics can be fused with interfacing, which is a type of fabric that adds structure and stiffness to garments like shirt cuffs and collars.

Interfacing usually has a heat activated adhesive layer and is ironed on.

Quilted fabrics are made by stitching together two or more layers of fabric with wadding in between to create a padded effect.

Some composite textiles use encapsulation where a material is embedded within a fabric structure or fully enclosed within another layer.

Micro encapsulated fabrics contain tiny capsules of a chemical that are embedded within the fabric structure.

Examples included centred pillowcases, caffeine slimming tights, and bio-textiles where medicines are delivered through wound dressings.

Chemical protective suits are made from fabric where a barrier layer, usually a polymer film, is fully enclosed between outer layers.

We now have a check for understanding.

Which of the following is the best example of encapsulation in textiles? Is it A, a fabric containing microcapsules that release fragrance over time, B, a synthetic fabric dyed with heat reactive pigments, C, a cotton fabric coated with a waterproof polymer film, or D, a woven fabric laminated with a breathable membrane.

Pause video and have a go.

Fabulous.

Let's check.

That's right, it's A.

A is the correct answer.

A fabric containing microcapsules that release fragrance over time.

Well done.

Composite materials that are textiles based can have fibres blended together to enhance fabric properties.

Nylon can be blended with elastane for clothing that requires high tensile strength and stretch.

Cotton can be blended with polyester to provide comfort with crease resistance.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Why is polyester often blended with cotton in textiles? Is it A, to make the fabric heavier, B, to combine softness and strength, C, to make the fabric waterproof or D, to reduce breathability? Pause the video and have a go.

Wonderful.

Let's check.

That's right, it's B.

To combine softness and strength.

Well done.

We now move to Task A, explain what a textile based composite is referring to the terms matrix and reinforcement in your answer.

Part two, and for part three, answer the question, what is the difference between laminating and encapsulating with textiles? Use labelled diagrams to support your answer.

Pause the video and have a go.

Wonderful.

Let's have a look at some of the answers you may have come up with.

For part one, you may have said, "A textiles based composite is made of textile fibres, which is the reinforcement held together by a matrix, usually a polymer, which supports and protects the fibres to make the whole material stronger." And for part two, you may have said "Composite materials are strong and lightweight, making them ideal for products like prosthetic limbs.

They can also be tailored for specific properties such as using carbon fibre composites for stiffness or Kevlar for impact resistance," and for part three, you may have said, "Laminating joins layers of materials like fabric and polymer to form a single functional textile.

Encapsulation seals a substance, like fragrance or chemicals, within tiny capsules in or on the fabric," and we can see two diagrams that describe lamination and encapsulation.

The lamination diagram shows a laminated fabric and foam mattress, and the encapsulation diagram shows chemical capsules on the fabric.

Well done.

We now move to part two of the lesson, modifying materials.

Modifying a material means changing its structure or composition, which means what it is made from, to improve how it performs. The changes usually take place at a molecular level and include additives, heat treatments, and chemical treatments.

Synthetic textiles can be modified with additives by mixing substances into a polymer before it is spun into a thread.

Flags used outdoors are commonly made from woven nylon or polyester.

UV stabilisers are added to the polymer so that it doesn't degrade.

Flame retardants can be mixed with polymers before it is spun into a synthetic thread that could be used for curtains or other types of upholstery.

Anti-microbial additives can be added to sportswear fabrics to provide odour control.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following is an example of an additive in textile production? Is it A, a softener used in the final wash of a cotton T-shirt, B, a waterproof spray applied to a finished jacket, C, a fragrance coating added to pillow fabric, or D, an anti-microbial agent mixed into synthetic fibre during manufacture? Pause the video and have a go.

Wonderful.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's D, an antimicrobial agent mixed into synthetic fibre during manufacture.

Well done.

Heat treatment is used to alter the molecular structure of textiles.

Heat is used for various purposes depending on the type of fibre and the desired outcome.

Heat setting can be used to permanently modify and set synthetic fibres.

It can also stabilise any fabrics that have been knitted or woven to prevent them from distortion.

Natural fibres like cotton, won't heat set like synthetics, but can still be treated with heat during the pressing, steaming, and dying process.

The pleats on this skirt have been heat set to keep its shape.

Yarn used for weaving rugs and carpets have to be heat set to prevent shrinkage.

Heat can also be used to finish fabrics by making them more aesthetic.

Here, we can see a diagram which shows part one, fabric being fed into a machine.

Part two, the fabric moves between heated rollers, which both presses and smooths it.

Is the finished fabric moving outta the machine.

Calendering uses heat rollers to modify fabric smoothness or even to add a pattern such as moire.

Here we can see an example of moire fabric.

Boiled shibori is a technique where objects like coins are tied into synthetic fabric, then boiled.

The heat causes the fabric to hold the shape permanently.

Here, we have a check for understanding.

What is the main purpose of heat setting synthetic fabrics? Is it A, to make the fabric softer, B, to permanently fix the fabric shape and reduce shrinkage, C, to waterproof the fabric surface or D, to dye the fabric more evenly.

Pause the video and have a go.

Wonderful.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's B, to permanently fix the fabric shape and reduce shrinkage.

Well done.

Textile materials can have chemical treatments to enhance its properties.

This is usually applied as a coating.

Umbrellas made from nylon or polyester have a coating added to make them fully waterproof.

School uniforms can have a PTFE coating that acts as a stain repellent, making it easier to clean and maintain.

Natural fabrics such as cotton can be treated with chemicals to make them crease resistant and non-iron or easy iron.

We now move to task B.

There are three parts.

Part one, use one example to explain how additives change the properties of textiles.

Part two, draw a label diagram to show the process of calendaring.

Draw a label diagram to show the process of calendaring fabrics and explain how this improves a textiles physical property.

And part three, answer the question, why is it important to treat textiles used outdoors? Give an example and suggest how this might be done.

Pause the video and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's have a look at some of the answers you may have come up with.

Part one, you may have said, "Adding an antimicrobial chemical to synthetic fibres helps prevent bacteria growth, keeping sportswear fresher for longer." And for part two, you may have a diagram which looks similar to this and an explanation.

"Calendaring involves passing fabric through heated rollers to smooth and compress it.

This improves the fabric surface by making it shinier.

It can also use heat to create a wavy moire pattern." And part three, "It's important to treat outdoor textiles to protect them from weather damage.

For example, a tent fabric can be treated with a water repellent finish to stop rain from soaking through and help it last longer." Well done.

We're now going to move to the final part of our lesson, structural integrity.

Materials can be reinforced to enhance their properties.

Reinforcement involves adding an element or altering the structure of a material to improve its performance under stress.

Reinforcement techniques can be applied to a variety of materials including timbers, polymers, papers and boards, textiles, and metals.

Here, we can see a picture with a range of materials which can be reinforced.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Why might materials need to be reinforced? Is it A, it improves aesthetics, B, to make them stronger and last longer, C, to reduce costs for the consumer or D, it makes them more environmentally friendly? Pause the video and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's B, to make them stronger and last longer.

Well done.

Reinforcing materials improves their structural integrity.

Structural integrity refers to how well something stays together and holds up without breaking.

For textiles, the techniques used to ensure structural integrity are particularly prevalent in fashion and outdoor gear.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What does structural integrity refer to in materials and structures? Is it A, the ability of a structure to maintain its shape under normal conditions without breaking or B, the aesthetic appearance of a structure, or C, the ability of a structure to resist environmental changes like temperature and moisture, or D, the cost effectiveness of building a structure? Pause the video and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's A, the ability of a structure to maintain its shape under normal conditions without breaking.

Well done.

In textiles, structural integrity techniques help ensure that products are strong and last a long time.

Rivets, such as those seen in jeans and bags, reinforce high stress areas like pocket corners.

Reinforced seams, such as those seen in jeans and work wear, prevent seams tearing under stress.

They are often extra rows of stitching.

Textile structural integrity techniques can also include added protection.

Additional polymer material or padding can be sewn into key areas to provide further protection.

Textile structural integrity techniques can add rigidity or flexibility without added stress points.

Boning is where thin strips of metal or polymer are sewn into fabric channels to provide shape and support to a garment.

They are used in corsets and are stiff to wear.

Gussets are extra pieces of triangular or diamond shaped pieces of fabric sewn into seams to provide a wider range of motion and thus prevent tearing.

You can see a diagram here with a jacket with a sleeve gusset.

Here, we have a check for understanding.

Which of the following pairs are both used to improve the structural integrity of textile products? Is it A, boning and tie dye, B, gussets and pleats, C, boning and gussets, or D, interfacing and embellishment? Pause the video and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's check.

That's right.

It's C, boning and gussets.

Well done.

Here we have Task C.

There are three parts.

Part one, explain with examples how rivets and reinforced seams help improve the structural integrity of textile products.

Part two, explain how the use of additional materials improve the protective qualities of textile products.

And part three, explain how rigidity and flexibility are added to textile products through the use of boning and gussets.

Pause the video and have a go.

Fantastic.

Let's check.

For part one, you may have said "Rivets are small metal fasteners used at points of strain, such as the corners of pockets to stop the fabric from tearing.

They add strength where stitching alone might fail and increase the lifespan of the product.

Reinforced seams involve extra rows of stitching that make joins stronger.

These techniques are commonly used in products like jeans and bags." For part two, you may have said, "Padding adds a layer of cushioning to protect the body from impact or pressure.

In work wear, padded knees or elbows help protect joints when working on hard surfaces for long periods.

Additional polymer materials can be sewn onto motorcycle clothing to provide a hard shell and improve the garment's abrasion resistance." And part three, you may have said, "Boning adds rigidity to textile products by inserting strips of polymer or metal into the fabric, helping the garment hold its shape.

This is commonly used in corsets to support the body and create a defined silhouette.

Gussets add flexibility by inserting extra panels of fabric into seams. This allows for greater freedom of movement and reduces stress on the garment, especially in areas like underarms." Well done.

We now have a summary of our learning today.

Combining materials creates improved properties compared to the individual materials alone.

Material properties can be modified with the use of heat and/or additives.

Reinforcing techniques can improve a material's structural integrity.

I'm really pleased you could join me for the lesson today.

Thank you, and well done.