The critical role of standards for advanced textiles

December 18th, 2023

AFFOA and its collaborators are experimenting with a variety of methods and patterns to incorporate conductive fibers into a fabric. Photo: Janet Preus In its final declaration, the recent COP28 called for countries to transition away from fossil fuel, signaling textile and other manufacturing sectors to explore greener methods and products. Furthermore, emerging regulations, greater […]

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The long road to smart fabric standards

December 11th, 2023

Loomia makes soft, flexible circuit technology to be incorporated into a variety of textile end products. Photo: Loomia.  “Smart textiles” that utilize specialized polymers, chemical additives or electronics to react with their environment are changing textile technology in the 21st century. E-textiles or “wearables” have been particularly promising due to their ability to monitor and communicate […]

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The importance of standards in textile innovation

November 27th, 2023

Erika Simmons, technical director, AATCC, challenged her audience to “Level-up your standards game” to achieve “next-level innovation” in her presentation at ATA’s Expo this year. Simmons provided up-to-the-minute information on where new standards are in their development or release.  For example, TM214, which addresses condensation and microclimates in textiles, was just released in July 2023. […]

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AATCC launches new Testing Resource List

March 18th, 2020

A new benefit is available for AATCC corporate members and users of AATCC standards. The organization has introduced the Testing Resource List, a free addition to the AATCC Buyer’s Guide, according to a news release from the organization.  The Testing Resource List is intended to connect users with corporate member suppliers. Lab managers can be […]

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2020 AATCC Technical Manual released

March 2nd, 2020

The 2020 volume of the AATCC Technical Manual is now available and includes new test methods for pH and alkali in wet-processed textiles and for electrical resistance in relation to exposure conditions, and a new evaluation procedure for electrical resistance of electronically integrated textiles.  The organization reports that 29 revised test methods appear in the manual as […]

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Making protective apparel safer

December 16th, 2019

New standard reduces exposure gaps to multiple hazards by Glenna B. Musante Improving safety apparel for workers operating in hazardous situations is a constant effort by the textile industry, but a task not always easily accomplished. Hazardous materials professionals can be exposed to any number of chemical, biological and flammable materials in the same environment, […]

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Global standards for e-textiles

July 29th, 2019

The European market is influencing open international standards development through IPC. by Chris Jorgensen Researchers at the MIT Media Lab have demonstrated three classes of textile sensors exploiting resistive, piezoresistive, and capacitive properties of various textile structures enabled by machine knitting with conductive yarn. The knit sensors are made with commercially available yarn. Photo: Daniel […]

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GOTS hosts U.S. textile industry roundtable

March 15th, 2018

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) hosted a roundtable for the textile industry in Charleston, S.C., in March, headlined “Making a Business Case for GOTS Certification.“ The event attracted brands, trade associations, textile manufacturers, organic certification agencies and organic cotton farmers. They heard and discussed presentations on topics ranging from general 2017 GOTS progress—particularly in […]

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