One of the main objectives of the textile industry or industrial fabrics is to provide specific solutions for industrial applications, this means that they are high-performance fabrics that are characterized by their lightness, reinforcement, filtration, fire resistance, conductivity, insulation, etc. Furthermore, these fabrics are adapted to particular technical functions such as personal protection, reinforcement, filtration, etc.
We must not ignore the fact that the textile industry is an engine of current development, not only because it generates high performance but also because of its contribution to very important sectors of the economy such as construction, agribusiness, infrastructure, mining and automotive. This is why, today at Textiles Omnes, we will talk about geotextiles, ballistic, fabrics for the rubber industry, filtration and vinyl coating.
¿What is a geotextile fabric?
A geotextile fabric is a permeable and flexible fabric made of synthetic fibers, mainly polypropylene and polyester, which can be manufactured in a non-woven or woven form depending on its use or function to be performed.
These fabrics are used in erosion control, drainage, soil separation and substrate reinforcement applications. For example, in road construction, geotextile fabrics help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, extending the life of infrastructure and reducing maintenance costs. Additionally, in agriculture, they are used to conserve soil and improve irrigation efficiency.
We must not forget that geotextiles act as a permeable barrier between soils of different structure, improve the compaction properties of the granular layers and provide long-term stability of the foundation layers.
Characteristics of a geotextile
A geotextile fabric is a material that is especially used in civil and geotechnical engineering applications for various reinforcement, filtration, separation and drainage functions. This is why, below we will show you some characteristics of geotextiles:
- Synthetic materials: Geotextile fabrics are made with synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. These materials stand out for being durable and resistant.
- Layer separation: The most common use of geotextiles is the separation of different layers of soil or aggregates in construction and road projects. In addition, they prevent mixing of materials and maintain the integrity of the layers.
- Permeability: One of the most important characteristics of a geotextile is its permeability, as it allows water to flow through it, a situation that is important, as it prevents water accumulation and soil erosion.
- Tensile strength: These fabrics are designed to resist tensions and loads, which is why they have high tensile strength.
- Flexibility and adaptability: These fabrics adapt to the shapes and surfaces of the terrain, which makes them ideal for the construction sector.
- Durability: Geotextiles stand out for being resistant to both biological and chemical degradation, which is why they have a long durability.
- Easy installation: These fabrics are easy to cut and manipulate in the workplace, therefore their installation is quick and simple.
Fabrics used in the rubber industry
Likewise, the relationship between the rubber industry and the textile industry is close and collaborative, since rubber is an important raw material in various industries, such as the agricultural, mining, automotive, construction, and chemical product manufacturing industries.
When we talk about these fabrics, we can determine that they play a fundamental role, since they are highly resistant and are used as reinforcement for conveyor belts, hoses and tires. It should be noted that the incorporation of fabrics in these products improves their durability and performance, which is essential for safety and efficiency in a variety of industrial applications.
This is why the innovation of the rubber industry has been highlighted by the development of advanced reinforcing fabrics that offer greater resistance and durability to all products, since these fabrics are designed to resist heat, repel liquids, resist chemicals and wear. Furthermore, another of the innovative aspects of the rubber industry is the development of fabrics that incorporate intelligent technologies such as integrated sensors, which allow real monitoring of the conditions and performance of the rubber. Without a doubt, the innovation of rubber fabrics has allowed manufacturing processes to become increasingly sustainable, and therefore, these industrial fabrics improve the efficiency and durability of rubber industry products.
Types of fabrics for the rubber industry
- Reinforcement fabrics for rim, rubber, tire or hose They are composed of high tenacity monofilament threads, Nylon, twisted or textured threads.
- Fabrics for conveyor belt: They are composed of high-tenacity Nylon and high-tenacity polyester threads.
- Rubber storage fabrics: They are composed of propylenes, nylon and polyester.
Fabrics for ballistic protection
It is important to understand that ballistic protection fabrics play a fundamental role in the vehicle armor industry, since with these fabrics made with aramid, nylon or high-intensity polyethylene, honeycombs and blankets are manufactured that protect the opaques of the vehicle. Likewise, these fabrics are used for personal protection vests, helmets and shields.
The pressed panels or sheets are designed to resist the penetration of high-impact projectiles and fragments, offering vital protection for people working in hazardous environments. Without a doubt, the textile industry has made progress in the production of flexible and light fabrics that guarantee a high level of safety.
Also, we can talk about anti-fragmentation blankets as those devices that provide security and whose main function is to protect anyone from flying fragments and debris. These blankets are made from fibers such as nylon or aramid.
Furthermore, one of the most important characteristics of these products is the ability to absorb and contain fragments to prevent them from dispersing, providing protection, high resistance and greater durability, thus helping to prevent serious injuries.
This is why ballistic protection fabrics are very important thanks to their ability to offer effective defense against fragments, projectiles and bullets, as they resist bullet impacts, stand out for their resistance to abrasion, are light and reduce risk of any type of injury.
Filtration fabrics
Filtration fabrics are those that stand out for the separation of particles in industrial processes. These fabrics are usually used in a wide variety of industries such as the pharmaceutical, cement, chemical and mining industries.
These types of fabrics are composed of fibers such as nylon, cotton and polyester. It should be noted that the use of these materials changes depending on the specific filtration needs. Additionally, the porous structure of these fabrics allows liquids or gases to pass through them while retaining unwanted particles.
For the textile industry, the manufacturing of filtration fabrics is a highly specialized process that requires the careful selection of materials and weaving techniques to achieve the required filtration efficiency. The quality of these fabrics is crucial to ensure the purity of final products in applications such as drinking water filtration, air purification and pharmaceutical production.
Advantages of filtration fabrics
Filtration fabrics are characterized by separating solid particles from a flow of liquid or gas. This is why, below we will tell you some advantages of these fabrics.
- Removal of unwanted particles: One of the most important advantages of filtration fabrics is their ability to trap unwanted solid particles, allowing you to maintain fluid purity.
- Improve product quality: In the industrial fabric industry, filtration fabrics improve the quality of all products, as they eliminate unwanted particles.
- Protection of equipment and machinery: These filtration fabrics help protect equipment and machinery by preventing the entry of solid particles.
Vinyl siding fabrics
Vinyl covering fabrics are widely used in the manufacture of waterproof and weather-resistant products, such as tents, awnings and tarps. Adding a vinyl coating to textile fabrics increases their water and abrasion resistance, making them an ideal choice for outdoor applications and harsh environments.
The durability and versatility of vinyl-coated fabrics make them indispensable in a variety of industries, from construction to agriculture. However, it is important to keep in mind that these fabrics are made of polyester. Additionally, the vinyl coating makes the fabric stand out as more resistant to damage, which is why it is also manufactured to resist stains, mold, and weather.
Characteristics of fabrics for vinyl covering
- Vinyl siding: This is a very important feature, since the vinyl coating provides water resistance, durability and ease of cleaning.
- Impermeability: Vinyl provides high water resistance, making it ideal for protection against moisture.
- Durability: Vinyl fabrics stand out for their resistance to wear and abrasion, making them ideal for the construction sector.
And this is how this tour of the different fabrics allows us to be aware of all the technological development that the textile industry has had and the great benefits that these have brought us on a daily basis, because thanks to the manufacture of these we can have each more and more advanced and functional products.