textile

A textile is a flexible material composed of a network of natural or artificial fibers. Textiles are formed by weaving, knitting, felting, or bonding fibers into fabric and can be finished with dyes, coatings, or prints. The term covers a wide range of products from clothing and upholstery to industrial fabrics.

Fibers used in textiles can be natural, such as cotton, wool, silk, and flax, or synthetic, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, along with regenerated fibers like viscose. Blends combine properties of different fibers to achieve balance of strength, softness, and cost.

Textile production begins with fiber preparation, followed by yarn creation through spinning. Fabrics are produced by weaving (interlacing), knitting (stitches), or nonwoven and felting processes. Finishing steps may include dyeing, printing, coating, or mechanical finishing to alter hand, luster, or performance.

Textiles have diverse applications, including clothing, household textiles, and technical applications such as filtration, geotextiles, medical fabrics, and automotive materials. The field also encompasses smart textiles and functional finishes that respond to environmental conditions.

Sustainability and safety concerns include water use, energy consumption, chemical exposure, and microplastic pollution. Advances in recycling, eco-friendly dyes, and circular production aim to reduce environmental impact. The textile industry has a long history, with early weaving and fiber processing developing in multiple ancient cultures, continuing to evolve with new materials and technologies.