Technical textiles & functional textiles
Production of functionalized woven fabrics by ORW technology
Apart from the classical applications in clothing and home textiles, technical applications are present in almost all areas of daily life. The production of technical textiles is an innovative and seminal growth area. They always have several functionalities and their design requires specific know-how. The use of technical textiles is very versatile and common in a number of technical areas, including automotive engineering, aeronautics, construction engineering, architecture, healthcare, and security.
Technical textiles are characterized by versatility, compatibility, functionality, flexibility and interactivity. These traits significantly extend the range of possible applications are allow the development and opening of wholly new product groups. The variety and functionality of technical textiles are enormous, because fiber type and mixture, yarn creation, fabric formation techniques, and surface modifications/functionalizations at the various production stages offer an almost infinite spectrum of property profiles. These possibilities create perfect conditions for compatibility and a combination with other, non-textile materials like plastics, metals, wood, and concrete. The combination of technical textiles with microsystem technology creates interactive data and information media, and allows the realization of integrated sensor and actuator networks, for instance for the monitoring and vibration reduction of composite components. This way, technical textiles can be adapted and used flexibly, due to their adjustable properties.
Spacer fabrics with directly integrated functional thread for a seat heating structure
The use of technical textiles as their own product group is firmly established in all fields by now. The steady and intense use of microsystem technology, nanotechnology, measuring and sensor technology, modern finishing techniques, and bionics gives textiles specific, adjustable properties and functions going far beyond the requirements of technical applications.
Research activities at the ITM are focused on the development of completely new technical textiles suitable for a variety of high-tech applications. These include preforms for composites, sensor and actuator structures, construction textiles, geotextiles, textiles membranes, medical textiles, safety textiles, sports textiles, and textiles with a high resistance to chemicals, heat, and electromagnetic fields. Due to the ITM’s special competence in the field of machine and process development, as well as simulation, the institute is a world leader in the area of technical textiles.
Contact person:
© Mirko Krziwon
Mr Dr.-Ing. Dominik Nuss
Research Group Leader Surface Formation Technology
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Visitor Address:
George-Bähr-Straße 3c, Zeuner-Bau, Room 115
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Deutschland