Microfibres

    Cards (12)

    • The history of microfibres

      -Developed in Japan
      -1960s
      -Began to be used for a variety of wider applications in the 1990s (sportswear and underwear)
    • What are microfibres?

      -Extremely fine synthetic fibres (mainly polyester, nylon, acrylic)
      -60 to 100 times finer than human hair
      -Invisible to the naked eye
      -They are often blended with natural fibres to give high performance fabrics for outdoor and sports use
      -Knitted, woven, laminated, micro-encapsulated
    • Properties of microfibres

      -Very lightweight
      -Soft
      -Drape well
      -Durable
      -Good absorbency
      -Wicking characteristics
      -Wash well
      -Dry quickly
    • Microfibres can be:

      -Knitted=flate/tubular
      -Woven= flat/tubular
      -Braided
    • Knitted microfibres- Medical textiles

      -Warp knitted fabrics will not unravel
      -The material stretches or conforms with the movement of the body, limiting unwanted stresses or discomfort
      -Uses digitally controlled equipment (CAD/CAM) to precisely define specific knit configurations
      -Also applies for tubular fabrics, where the degree to which a fabric stretches radially and longitudinally can be precisely tuned
      -Designed to fit specific shapes within each unique body perfectly, using CAD/CAM
    • Knitted microfibres can be in the form of=

      -Circular knit
      -Pile knit
      -3D shape formed fabrics
    • Woven- medical textiles

      -Made up of interlacing yard which cross one another at right angles
      -The weft yarns run across the loom (left to right) with the warp yarn running (up and down)= creates dimensionally style implantable fabric
      -The low porosity of the fabric achieve has led to their use in end-vascular grafts (blood vessels), aortic vale skirts (heart) and other structural heart implants
      -head sealed edges to prevent fraying
    • Woven vs Knitted

      -Thinner
      -Smaller pore size for breathability
      -usually applied where the fabric is required to act as an impermeable barrier
    • Properties of woven medical textiles

      -high tensile strength
      -High stitch retention
      -High level of burst strength
    • Braided medical textiles

      -Intertwining multiple strands (minimum=3) of year in a diagonally overlapping pattern
      -The design is typically used for the manufacture of stitches, tubes used to replace arteries and catheters or other implantable devices
      -Complex design options can be mnaufactured
      -By varying the braid size and shape, mechanical properties can be tailored to suit design requirement with the ability to transition between multiple configurations such as; (solid braids, how,ow core braids, multi layer braids, flame braids)
    • Examples of microfibres

      -masks and gowns woven by doctors and nurses- anti bacterial, preventing the spread of disease
      -Sanitary products-scented
      -Mosquito bracelets- scent released with heart from the body and friction
      -Bandages
      -Insoles- for athletes foot
      -Aftersun- to sooth sunburn
      -Plasters
      -Dissolvable stitches
      -Hair nets- made form bonded/non woven fabric- disposable e
      -Scrub caps
      -Bedding- pillows and sheets
      -Patches that administer drugs such as painkillers, nicotine patches
    • Examples of microfibres in medical textiles

      -Blood pressure systems
      -Pacemaker- controls abnormal heart rhythm
      -Cystic fibrosis vests- helps loosen mucus in the chest bt using high frequency vibration
      -Heart monitors in sports bras for men and women
      -Conductive threes used to measure heart rates
      -Blankets to administer heat
      -Cameras in headwear used by paramedics. Information sent straight t medical staff in order to advise on treatment on scene
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