|
|
|
Don't get surprised if you hear glass as a fibre or as a textile, because it is a fact, although ordinary glass is hard and inflexible mineral substance, it can be made into fine, translucent textile fibres that have the appearance and feel of silk. It can be ideally used as home furnishings, industrial fabrics, plastics, tire cord.Some types of glass fibres are stronger than equivalent diameters of stainless steel.
However, because glass cuts into glass as the yarns slide and
rub over each other and are flexed, the filaments roughen and
break and fabrics becomes rough and breaks and also becomes
hairy.
|
|
|
|
This will also occur when
glass fibre draperies, for example, rub against rough
objects such as windowsills or radiators. This poor
abrasion resistance can be overcome to some extent by
coronizing. Glass fibre is virtually inelastic. Being the least elastic of all textiles, it has obvious disadvantages for clothing; but when used for draperies and curtains, such fabrics will not stretch or sag out of shape. The lack of elasticity has no effect on the flexibility and wrinkle resistance of glass fibre fabrics. With the aid of certain finishes, glass fibre fabrics have good wrinkle- resistance qualities.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Glass fibre is virtually inelastic. Being the least elastic of all textiles, it has obvious disadvantages for clothing; but when used for draperies and curtains, such fabrics will not stretch or sag out of shape. The lack of elasticity has no effect on the flexibility and wrinkle resistance of glass fibre fabrics. With the aid of certain finishes, glass fibre fabrics have good wrinkle- resistance qualities.
|
|
|
 |
|
The fine glass fibres have excellent flexibility and pliability and can be woven into fabrics of excellent draping quality, particularly when given the proper finish. Consequently, they are excellent for curtains and draperies. These fabrics can be easily sewed by hand or by machine with good-quality mercerized cotton thread, using a sharp needle, a long stitch and low tension.
As with ordinary glass, yarns made of glass fibre are good conductors of heat. Yet, when glass fibre is in staple form, the thousands of fibres form cells of trapped air. These dead air spaces act as excellent insulation and make glass fibre staple batting very effective as an interlining in jackets and coats.
This fibre is not absorbent. Being nonabsorbent, these fabrics are water- repellent and, in general, unaffected by water. This quality makes glass fibre unsuitable for clothing worn next to the skin because perspiration and humidity make the fabric uncomfortable. |
|
|
|
|
|
The glass fibre fabrics, smoothness makes it a clean fabric. Dirt and dust do not cling as readily to such fabrics as to rough materials. The cleaning of these fabrics is simple and quick. They may be wiped clean with a damp cloth. If complete immersion in water is desired, the temperature of the water and the soap or detergent used are immaterial, since these factors will not affect glass fibre fabrics. The cloth will dry just as fast as the water will evaporate off the surface. If the fabric is properly hung while wet, ironing is unnecessary.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Glass fibre is unaffected by bleaches. It is highly resistant to heat and will not burn. Sunlight has no effect on glass fibre fabrics. This makes them useful for outdoor purposes, such as awnings, as well as for such decorative fabrics as curtains and draperies.
Thus glass has a typical role in the world of fashion draperies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|