Drying Processes of Textile Industry

Textile drying is one of the finishing processes, which removes the water and moisture from the fabrics (accumulated while its manufacturing) through evaporative heating. As evaporative heating is very costly, initially mechanical methods are applied to remove as much as moisture from the fabric as possible. After that, heated dryers are used to evaporate the remaining water from the fabric. Mechanical methods include centrifugal extraction of water and continuous methods applying vacuum suction rolls. After mechanical extraction, various types of dryers are used to dry the textile which are categorized as thermal processes. The thermal processes transfer heat by convection; infrared radiation; direct contact; or radio-frequency.

Drying can be applied to loose fibers, yarns, or fabrics. When drying fibers, centrifugal extraction is done to reduce the water in loose fibers before evaporative drying is applied. The evaporation dryers consist of many chambers and fibers pass from the hottest to the cooler chambers. Fiber is carried through a conveyor belt or on the surface of a series of “suction drums”. Yarn packages are dried by two methods - rapid (forced) air drying and the radio frequency drying. In forced air dryers, hot air circulation is followed by conditioning. Radio frequency dryers operate on the conveyor principle. Fabrics are dried with various types of dryers like stenters, cylinder dryers, drying conveyors etc. The relaxed fabric is conveyed through a chamber while festooned in loops. The fabric travels through the chamber, passing over a series of hot cylinders. It is very important to dry textile without over drying otherwise the fabric may get a harsh hand.

Global Textile Chemicals Industry – Trends and Demands

Textile Industry is an important segment of any economy. Apart from other things, textile chemicals have a significant role in its development. In the recent times, this industry has seen a dynamic change. The global demand patterns have altered. Now more and more environmental friendly alternatives of harsh chemicals are required by the textile manufacturers and suppliers. In the view of recession and otherwise also, the chemical manufacturers are in need of cost effective methods for production of textile chemicals. As such, many innovations have been introduced that have introduced new products and also improved the existing ones.

Market Trends of Textile Chemicals Industry
Before moving onto the product specific demands in the textile chemical industry, its better to know the recent market trends. The worldwide demand for textile chemicals is estimated to rise 2.8 % per year to $19 billion by 2012. Among the textile chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries are predicted to rise at a faster pace globally. Most of the chemicals will be consumed by two countries- India and China. However, other countries all over the world too, are showing improvement in their investments related to textile industry.

Demand of Textile Chemicals and Auxiliaries
Due to the demand of eco-friendly textiles and products along with legislation on health, safety and environment, new technologies are increasingly coming up in the field of textile chemicals. Polymers for technical textiles, have made most of the advance in recent past due to the fact that fibers made out of them posses semiconductor capabilities and thus have a strong growth potential. Apart from polymers, new coatings, laminates and binder systems are also developing as they add value to the end products. Textile wet processing chemicals which assist in lowering the cost of textile chemical production
are also in much demand. Chemicals are now preferably provided in bulk or semi-bulk containers thus avoiding the cost involved in drums and drum disposal.

It seems that the demands made from textile chemical industry has a clear direction. It is driven by the emphasis put on lower cost of production and environmental safety.

Colors, Clothes and Personality- Part II

I am back with the impacts of colors on moods and personality. I hope you enjoyed reading the part I of this article where I had explained the effects of the colors red, blue, green, black, yellow and pink. So, what color are you wearing today? One of these, or some other color!

Well! before moving on to the analysis of other colors for your clothes, I'll just share some more information about how colors are applied to the fabrics. Of course, you know that textile or a garment is dyed for imparting colors to them, but do you know what are the exact textile chemicals used for the purpose? You will be amazed to know the wide variety of dyes, pigments and chemicals used for dyeing our clothes. The sad aspect of this is their polluting effect on the surrounding environment. But, textile industry has found out solutions for this also by finding out herbal dyes. In fact, if you are one of those who are conscious about the environment, you can yourself grow herbs for home dyeing some of your fabrics, just for experiment and adventure too- adventure of finding your favorite color naturally!

More Colors for Apparels

Gray: The color of seriousness, dependability and stability, gray is considered to be brainy. It reflects a balanced personality. Wear gray in job interviews to show how responsible you are but all gray is boring so compatible accessories will make it more elegant.

Violet: The combination of red and blue, violet is the color of purpose, royalty, and imagination. Red is passionate hot color while blue is cooling and calm. Other accessories have to be chosen selectively when wearing this color as it also reflects sensuality, desire and mystic. Shades should also be selected cautiously so that the wearer doesn't appear too flashy. Light purple reflects femininity and romantic feelings while dark shades are somewhat gloomy and sad.

Brown: Sometimes considered dull, brown reflects simplicity, friendliness, and dependability. Its lighter shades act as excellent backgrounds for other colors appear richer and brighter. It is a color of autumn and fall season. Dark browns can also replace black for a slight warmer tone.

Orange: The combination of red and yellow, the vibrant orange reflects enthusiasm and creativity. Having resemblance with autumn leaves, this color represents transition. It is mentally stimulating and attracts people. The right color for parties! But be cautious, screaming orange can even alienate people.

White: The union of all colors, simple and pure white represents wholeness and completion. It is soft and when combined with any other color, it makes you distinct wherever you are, in social gatherings, parties, or corporate meetings. It reflects innocence, purity, kindness, truth and a new beginning, why else it be preferred by the brides!

What a colorful combination! I felt great while writing this article and am hopeful you too find it interesting to read!

Colors, Clothes and Personality- Part I

Do you enjoy watching movies? May be yes or it can be no too! Anyway, I am sure, in your whole life, you must have watched some. Just try to recollect certain scenes from the movies you have watched- happy scenes, sad ones, hilarious and the emotional scenes! Do they differ in color scheme? Do the actors wear colors matching to the moods of the scenes? Have you ever thought that a particular other color would have matched more suitably to a scene? Hope, you have understood the importance of colors on our clothes, and surroundings that do affect our moods and personality.

Dress Colors and their Impact

All the colors have special significance. There are certain colors that suit our skin color more than the other ones. Just watch for the compliments you get occasionally and you'll soon get to know what colors suit you the most! Then there is the factor of our moods that subtly influence our decisions about wearing a certain color on a day. It is this importance of colorful clothes that inspires the textile industry for investing time and energy in tedious dyeing process and give the clothes a variety of colors.

Red: The color of passion, sensuality and boldness, suits the outgoing personalities who want to be noted by everyone everywhere. To tone it down, it should be paired with somewhat soft hues- e.g. red with blue or gray. Avoid wearing it on very formal occasions and where chances of conflicts are higher.

Blue: The color of tranquility, sensitivity, warmth and trust, soothes the nerves and is effective in settling down any sudden bursts of emotions. Its darker shades are great for formal events while lighter ones will suit the casual settings.

Green: The color of nature, life and growth, brings order and balance. Jewel tones are good for dates and evenings. The softer, pastel shades are for daytime. Lighter shades of green are also healing, just check at any hospital.

Black: The color of power, elegance, sophistication and even mystery. Black suits are most popular for formal gatherings and parties. Its a boon to the fat as black make them look slimmer. Match it with any color and bring elegance to your personality.

Yellow: The color of youthfulness, joy, and alertness of mind, is sometimes considered too bright but its different shades from pastel to dark ones can be combined with any other color to bring cheer at any fun event.

Pink: The color of love, affection, gentleness, femininity and calm mostly loved by the girls. It is the perfect color for romantic dates.Those were some of the basic colors our clothes have on them.

I'll bring some more colors to you on my next post. Meanwhile, you'll love to take a color personality test.

Colors- The Joy of Textile

“Man needs colour to live; it's just as necessary an element as fire and water”. These are the words uttered by Fernand Leger, the painter. I fully agree with this statement. Do you? In fact when I imagine a life devoid of colors, it just scares me. Look at the world around you- the beautiful colors scattered everywhere. People around you wearing blue and pink and red and black and yellow and so many other colors. That sheen curtain in off white giving glimpse of greenery outside. Your marvelous wardrobe having a rainbow of colors. The contrasting cushions and pillows with that colorful bed cover!.... Now close your eyes and visualize all these in simple white! I'll not comment on what you see with your closed eyes but I am sure, that is enough to know the significance of colors in each of our lives!

Colors- How They are related to Textile?

Till now, you have known that fabric is woven with fibers- natural or synthetic. These fibers, if natural, don't have colors and if they have, they are so light that it is equivalent of having no color. They have to be dyed with textile colorants. These colorants may be in form of textile chemicals - dyes or pigments. The synthetic fibers these days are made with colors at the first instance. And if not, then they are also dyed like the natural fibers.

More Textile Chemicals

Textile Chemicals are not only used for coloring the fabrics, there are many other processes involved in textile manufacturing that need a variety of chemicals to be applied. Whether the raw material is prepared for making textile or dyeing and printing has to be done or the finishing processes have to be carried out for the final product, chemicals of one or the other kind has to be necessarily used.

I have introduced you to the lesser known aspect of textile manufacturing- the textile chemicals. Meanwhile you find out more about these chemicals, I will gather information on some other aspect of textile. Keep reading!