Performance fabrics

Performance fabrics are a segmented class of technical textiles with the specific aim of providing functional clothing, and thereby enhancing the "performance" of various natural and synthetic fibres. Fabrics with certain functionalities take into account user-specific needs like protection, anthropometry, psychological and thermo-physiological considerations, especially under intense conditions, fall under this category.
Traditional fabrics are unable to comply with all necessary usage parameters, especially when the exposure is unusual and severe. Examples in this regard are intensive physical activities such as exercise, running, sports, exposure to extreme weather, U.V. radiation, tactical-combat situations, fire, and so on. Normally, properties of various fabrics depend upon the inherent characteristics of the constituent fibre, which maybe natural or synthetic. Their characteristics are often based upon the source of origin and polymer structure, respectively. Singular use of these fibres can help achieve many of these parameters but not all, thus, for missing attributes and to extend their functionality and for use in severe conditions, they are treated with different methods and industrial procedures to add the desired additional functionalities. These fabrics are called performance fabrics, known to perform multiple functions.
Methods of manufacturing
All clothing are recognised to meet essential functions: comfort and weather-protection; modesty; and cultural, personal, and aesthetic display. Functional clothing are specifically engineered to deliver a predetermined performance or functionality to the user, over and above their normal functions. The performance of the fabrics is improved and attained by various methods of production like selection of fibers and blending of the performance fibres during spinning, knitting or weaving by using multiple yarn like cotton, wool, viscose, bamboo, polyester, acrylic, nylon, and elastane, and also by processing and finishing with chemicals (also known as functional finishes) during dyeing or at finishing stages by padding or coating, and some of them are also possible at the garment stage.
Nanotechnology can provide high durability for performance fabrics, because nanoparticles have a large surface area-to-volume ratio and high surface energy, thus presenting better affinity for fabrics and leading to an increase in durability of the function. The potential of nanotechnology in the development of new materials in the textile industry is considerable. On the one hand, existing functionality can be improved using nanotechnology, and on the other, it could make possible the manufacture of textiles with entirely new properties or the combination of different functions in one textile material
Characteristics
The different performance fabrics have various functionalities engineered to meet requirements and end use. Mainly they are protective, sports functional, and for hygiene and heathcare. Different functions makes them suitable for different applications and areas. Some varieties of performance fabrics are capable of blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation, and they often have protection from ticks and mosquitoes, moisture wicking, Quick Dry, temperature control, and antimicrobial and anti-odor properties. Performance fabrics may also possess pilling-resistance, wrinkle resistance, and , and be antistatic, self-cleaning, and flame resistant. These fabrics can perform extraordinarily different than their natural behavior or what they were meant for. For example, a polyester garment can absorb water like cotton, and a cotton trouser can gain the ability to repel water, even though both of these characteristics differ from their original nature.
Smart textiles and wearable technologies are an advanced type of performance fabrics.
Advantages and challenges
Textiles processing is already a major contributor in polluting the environment. The challenge is environmental impact of chemicals of functional finishes, their treatment via industrial wastewater treatment, and their discharge into aquatic bodies. Innovative technologies are in continual improvement with advanced chemistry approaches and increasing use of bio-technologies in the process.
There are serious chemical hazards related to the chemistry in use for functional finishes being used for water-repellent (DWR) and oil-repellent fabrics, including fluorocarbon and formaldehyde. Resins are also used for these purposes. The excessive use of formaldehyde, resins and fluorocarbons do not comply with zero liquid discharge (ZLD). Various heavy-metal and polymer coatings used are not safe in all cases.

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