Introduction to advanced characterization and testing of textiles

Abstract The earliest evidence of textile processes may be dated to 35,000–15,000 BC. Then, the ability to better control the quality and performance of what was produced came thanks to the evolution of raw materials available for textile manufacturing—from natural fibers with very high inherent variability to synthetic fibers produced with commodity polymers to high performance fibers—, and the gain in precision of production techniques and equipment. This gave rise to large efforts to develop test methods that could characterize the performance of textile properties at the different stages of production, i.e., from the raw material to the finished product; these include physical, mechanical, chemical, barrier, and thermal properties as well as comfort, flammability, and durability.