Textile

Textile is a flexible material made from fibers interwoven together. The standard method is to first spin fibers into thread, then weave or knit the thread until a broad fabric is produced. There is also a type called nonwoven fabric, made by bonding fibers with heat, pressure, and chemicals, without using thread.

Textile is among the oldest materials made by humans. It is used for clothing, sails and tents, curtains, blankets, household furnishings, and technical applications such as boat sails, ropes, and materials reinforcing tires.

Types of fiber

Fibers fall into two main categories. Natural fibers include cotton, obtained from cotton plant bolls; wool, sheared from sheep and camels; silk, derived from silkworms; and linen, made from the flax plant. Manufactured fibers include polyester, nylon, and acrylic, mostly produced from petroleum. Today most fabrics are blended—for example wool and polyester—to achieve durability and lower cost.

Manufacturing and processes

The first stage is cleaning and preparing the fibers, followed by spinning them into thread. After spinning, two methods are used. Weaving interlaces two sets of thread: one lengthwise (warp) and one across (weft), using a machine called a loom. Knitting uses a single thread to form connected loops, which creates a stretchy fabric. After these comes finishing, bleaching, dyeing, and printing.

History

Weaving and thread-spinning technology predates written history. Cotton was woven in India and Egypt in early periods; silk originated in China, where the technology was guarded. Silk trade gave rise to the name 'Silk Road'. In the 18th and 19th centuries, textile machinery in Britain was among the drivers of industrialization. The 20th century saw the introduction of manufactured fibers such as nylon and polyester to the market.

Economics and environment

Textile factories employ large workforces, especially in Asian countries. Cotton cultivation requires water and pesticides, while dyeing can discharge contaminated water. Plastic-based fibers shed microfibers when washed. The 'fast fashion' model—rapid, low-cost production—has increased the volume of discarded textiles. There are efforts to recycle fabric, but blending different fibers makes separation difficult.