Textile industry is getting bigger each day
with the addition of new fabrics that are laced with the latest technology
and solve numerous purposes. Like
laces &
ribbons are extensively used in garments to
decorate them, elastic
straps are used
in luggages, watches, garments, automobiles, webbing for support, braids in
electric wires etc. The list is so long that it cannot be discussed in one
article. Here I will try to cite the difference between narrow fabric &
braid in terms of types, uses and industry.
What is a narrow fabric?
Narrow fabric is a small strip of textile that is not more than 48 cm in width. To
make narrow fabric different kinds of material is used, which can be
nylon, fiber glass, cotton, velvet, polyester, rubber, Teflon
and satin. The purpose of narrow fabric in addition to support can also be
decorative. Narrow fabric based on width can be of two types:
- Woven Narrow Fabrics
- Thermoplastic narrow fabrics
More examples of Narrow Fabric
| | - Fringes
- Labels
- Wicks & Mantles
|
Uses of Narrow Fabrics
Narrow fabrics are widely used in many types
of industries such as automobile, garment, footwear, sports, luggage,
medical & aerospace. With the technological developments scope and use
of the narrow fabrics has further widened. These are now being used in fire
fighting apparatus, for transferring data and as e textiles.
What is a Braid?
Although
braid is a part of narrow fabric but it differs
from other types of narrow fabrics. Braid looks like a rope and is made by
interweaving three or more strands in certain specific pattern. Number of
strands to make a braid is generally odd. The material for braiding can be a
wire or a textile fiber. The braid can be hollow, solid or flat.
Types of Braids
- Two-dimensional braid
- Three-dimensional braid
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Two dimensional braiding is done to produce flat or circular braid in which yarns are crossed diagonally. You will see Diamond braid, Regular braid &
Hercules braid under two-dimensional braiding. In Diamond braid 1/1
intersection is repeated, in Regular braid 2/2 intersection & in
Hercules 3/3 intersection is repeated.
Circular braid is also called tubular or round braid in which there is a
hollow central part. These are mainly used to cover electric wires. Also
there exist flat braids that are called laces.
Uses of Braids
Braids unlike other narrow fabrics have more of industrial application than just garments and other consumer textiles. These
do not have a wide usage as of narrow fabrics. Braids are used in electrical
wires, industrial belts & even has surgical applications.
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