Fabric FinishesThe Final Step

What is Finishing?

Rarely is a fabric suitable for making into clothing etc. as soon as it has been woven or knitted. Usually it is subjected to a series of finishing processes, which give it the properties necessary for its purpose.

Finishing processes usually have 3 basic purposes:- To eliminate deficiencies in the fabric- To produce stable dimensions- To include special properties

General P

urpose

• Singeing

• Mercerising

• Carbonising

• Bleaching

• Stentering

Special Purpose

Fire Retardment

Water Repellency/ Waterproofing

Permanent Press

Stain Resistance

Mildrew/Rot-proof

There are hundreds of varieties of finishing techniques used throughout the world:

General Purpose FinishingSingeing – usually applied to cotton where the fabric is passed

over a gas flame to eliminate any loose fibre ends and produce a smooth fabric surface

Mercerising – the straightening of yarns to produce a more effective lustre

Carbonising – careful application of acid to a fabric, drying and then baking it – converts vegetable matter into charcoal which is easier to remove

Bleaching – chemical treatment of natural yarns to produce whiteness

Stentering – passing the fabric through a heated chamber to regulate length and width – this avoids skew and distortion

Special Purpose FinishingFire Retardment - a finish on fabrics to make them less flammable

Water Repelling– coating the fabric with a wax or metallic soap

Water Proofing – coating the fabric in a polymer emulsion that forms a film

Permanent Press – a coating that when cured leaves the fabric with long lasting creases resulting in easy care fabric

Stain Resistance – Scotchguarding protects the fabric from spots and stains

Mildew and rot-proof finish – protection from micro organisms

Useful and Necessary

Think about some of the things around your house – what finishing

treatments might they have had

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