FABRICS FAQ : textile glossary

Fabrics FAQ Topics

acetate

A manufactured fiber from cellulose acetate.

acid rain

The release of materials which have been transformed by chemical processes in the atmosphere and are then deposited on earth through rain, sleet or fog. These materials can cause damage to buildings and harm terrestrial, animal, plant and human health.

acrylic

Generic term for a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of acrylonitrile units.

Algae Toxicity

Several genera and species of green algae found in lakes, ponds and streams that are responsible for both aquatic oxygen balance and food sources for fish are tested for their reaction to chemical exposure. Chemicals that kill algae are considered dangerous.

alpaca

Long, fine hair fibers from the alpaca, an animal native to South America.

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)

Founded in 1921, the AATCC is the world's leading not-for-profit professional association for the textile design, materials, processing and testing industries. AATCC has thousands of individual and corporate members in more than 60 countries. The Association is internationally recognized for its standard methods of testing dyed and chemically treated fibers and fabrics to measure and evaluate such performance characteristics as colorfastness to light and washing, smoothness appearance, soil release, shrinkage, water resistance, and the many other conditions to which textiles may be subjected.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

A nonprofit organization that provides a voluntary consensus system for developing standards through committees composed of producers, engineers, academics, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders.

American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI)

The U.S. textile industry's trade association for the domestic textile industry; activities encompass government relations, international trade, product and administrative services, communications and economic information.

angora

Fine, lightweight hair fiber from the Angora rabbit. Hair fibers from the angora goat are typically referred to as mohair.

animal fibers

Fibers of animal origin such as wool, alpaca, camel hair and silk.

antibacterial finish

A treatment of a textile material to make it resistant to, or to retard growth of, bacteria.

antimony

A silvery-white metal found in the earth's crust; frequently alloyed with lead to increase its hardness and strength. When combined with oxygen, it produces antimony trioxide.

antimony trioxide

A compound used as a fire retardant and as a catalyst to manufacture PET (polyethylene terephthalate.) It is a suspected human carcinogen.

applique

An ancient needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery or other materials are sewn onto a foundation fabric to create designs.

aquatic toxicity

The use or release of substances that have a toxic impact on aquatic species.

argyle

A pattern consisting of diamond shapes of different colors knit in a fabric.

armure

A plain, striped, ribbed or woven fabric having small fancy designs that suggest chain armor.

Association for Contract Textiles (ACT)

The Association for Contract Textiles is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1985. ACT is a professional trade group consisting primarily of companies that design, develop, produce and promote textiles for commercial interiors united for support, strength, credibility and common interests.

astrakhan

Fur from young lambs from Astrakhan, characterized by lustrous, closely curled wool. Often imitated by thick woven or knitted fabric with loops or curls on the surface.