Finishes to Fabrics                                                                  Contents Page                  

Finishes are applied to Fabrics and Fibres or completed products. The finishes can be physical or chemical and will improve the fabric in some way either by improving the look, feel and the wear. There are Chemical and Physical Finishes that can be applied.

Table of Finishes with Products suitable for

Physical Finishes

There are two methods of physically applying finishes. Brushing and Calendaring are applied by mechanical motions and they will change the surface of the fabric.

Brushing

The fibres are raised off the surface by being passed over a number of wire covered rollers. The air is trapped in the fibres and this makes the fabrics warm to wear. Disadvantages of this process are that it can be highly flammable due to the air that gets trapped inside the fibres. Also the wire covered rollers weaken the fabric.

Calendaring 

The fabrics are passed through heated rollers which compacts and smoothes the surface making it more shiny. 

Chemical finishes

Waterproofing

Silicones are sprayed onto fabric which form a barrier to prevent water droplets from soaking into the fabrics. It can be added to a fabric before it has been made into the product or after. It is invisible and can be renewed. This is more common on outdoor fabrics/products.

Flame proofing

These chemicals slow down or prevent burning. Any fabric can be flame proofed but it is particularly important to put this finish on furnishing fabrics such as sofas.

Stain resistance

This chemical prevents stains and dirt from being absorbed into the fabric. Silicone finishes will deter water based stains but synthetic resins are needed for oil based stains. Scotchguard is a common finish for fabrics such as floor coverings, furnishing fabrics, shoes and clothes.

Easy Care

These finishes help fabrics to be easier to wash and iron. The fibres do not absorb the water completely so they dry faster. They can also stop garments from creasing as much and shrinking.

Crease Resistance

A resin can be added to fabrics like Cotton, Linen and Rayon to stop them creasing as much

Nylon, Polyster and other Acrylic fibres are Thermoplastic. This means they can be set into shape and given permanent pleats by heating them up