Nanotechnology and technical fibres for the development of products and industrial processes: the use of nanotechnology helps in the development of enhanced textiles with a range of technical properties which include: anti-bacterial, fungicidal, hydrophobic, hydrophilic and nano-coated fabrics. There are also thermally resistant, conductive, anti-static, breathable, high-strength, bulletproof and camouflaged fabrics and those which have been sensorised to create Smart textiles. The Institute is fully equipped with all the experimental plant and necessary infrastructure to develop the following lines of research.

Nanotechnology applied to textiles

I. Functionalisation via compounding. The additivation of thermoplastic matrices with nanoparticles
The formulation of compounds or masterbatches for spinning.

Thermoplastic matrices:

• Nano-additives: metals, oxides metallic matrices, silicates (clays), pigments, carbon materials and microcapsules.
• Other additives: CB, microspheres, PCM’s, conventional pigments, photo and thermochromic, phosphorescent and fluorescent additives.
   

II. Functionalisation via coating. Functional coatings on fibres

• Melt-coating to apply a molten polymer to the surface of a yarn.
• Dip-coating by immersion. ➢ Technical melt spinning

I. Spinning multifilament yarns
Creating a continuous filament
The development of multifilament fibres using melt spinning.

II. Monofilament spinning
Development of melt-spun monofilament yarn.

III. Spinning

• Development of flat tape
• Optimisation of thickness/width ratio
• Bicomponent technology Textile processing technology

Processes and products in the spinning subsector value chain.

I. Air-texturing (TASLAN). ATY yarn

II. Friction texturing. DTY yarn
Texturized by false twist

III. Complementary operations

• Twisting and commingling
• Crimping
• Cutting for staple fibres

IV. Plain weaving
To develop prototype flat fabrics with different weaves and densities.

V. Warp knitting

VI. Splitting; from multi to monofilament.