A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Textile Dictionary is start by Letter-S
SAILCLOTH: Any heavy, strongly made woven canvas of cotton, linen, jute, polyester, nylon,aramid, etc., that is used for sails. Laminated fabrics are also finding use in this market. Sailcloth's used for apparel, particularly sportswear.
SAND: Used as a filter medium in fiber manufacture, particularly used in spinning packs for nylon or polyester production.
SANDWICH BLEND: A method of preparing fiber mixtures by layering them horizontally in alternating layers with all elements in the proper proportion. Vertical sections are cut and fed to the next machine in the process, where blending is effected.
SAPONIFICATION: Specifically in relation to manufactured fibers, saponification is the
process of removing part or all of the groups from acetate or triacetate fiber, leaving regenerated cellulose.
SASE: Acronym for stress at specified elongation; the stress experienced by a yarn or cord at a given elongation.
SATEEN: A cotton fabric made in a satin weave.
SATURATION VALUE: The maximum amount of dye that can be absorbed by a textile fiber under defined conditions.
SALLOPED SELVAGE: A fabric defect consisting of an abrupt, narrow place along the
selvage. Principal cause is the failure of the clip on the tenter frame to engage or hold the fabric.
SCHAPPE: A yarn from partly degummed silk waste.
SCORCHING: The tendering of a fiber surface by heat so as to change the color and texture of the surface.
SCOURING: An operation to remove the sizing and tint used on the warp yarn in weaving and,in general, to clean the fabric prior to dyeing.
SCREEN: 1. A hollow, cylindrical, coarse-mesh wire device used in pickers and certain openers to form the loose staple stock into a sheet, or lap. The screen is mounted horizontally on a shaft on which it revolves freely. 2. A stencil used in screen printing. It is made of fine cloth, usually of silk or nylon, finely perforated in areas to form a design and mounted on a frame. The paste containing the dye is forced through the perforations onto the fabric, leaving the design. A series of screens, one for each color, is used for multicolored designs.
SCREW FEEDS: Feed systems in which the action of the screw generates pressure that causes flow. The system usually consists of a container with a closely fitting screw unit.
SCREW MELTER: 1. Screw extruder in which frictional forces between the screw and the
heated barrel contribute to rapid melting of solid polymer. This configuration is capable of high throughput. 2. System in which a screw feed is used to feed polymer to a melt grid and to maintain a constant pressure at the grid.
SCRIM: 1. A lightweight, open-weave, coarse fabric; the best qualities are made with two-ply yarns. Cotton scrim usually comes in white, cream, or ecru and is used for window curtains and as backing for carpets. 2. Fabric with open construction used as base fabric in the production of coated or laminated fabrics.
SCROOP: The sound of rustle or crunch that is characteristic of silk. Scroop is a natural
property of silk, but may be induced in other fabrics to a degree by various treatments.
SCULPTURED: A term describing a carpet with areas of contrasting depth produced by mixing cut pile and loops.
SEAMING: Joining the overlap of two pieces of fabric, usually near their edges.
SEAMLESS: A term that describes a tubular knit fabric without seams, e.g., seamless hosiery.
SEAM MARK: A particular type of pressure mark in the finished fabric. It is produced during finishing operations by the thickness of the seam used to join pieces for processing.
SEAM SLIPPAGE: A defect consisting of separated yarns occurring when sewn fabrics pull apart at the seams. Seam slippage is more prone to occur in smooth-yarn fabrics produced from manufactured filament yarns.
SECTION BEAM: 1. A large, flanged roll upon which warp yarn is wound at the beam warper in preparation for slashing. 2. Small flanged or unflanged beams assembled side-by-side on the shaft of a warp beam for further processing.
SECTION MARK: A fabric defect consisting of marks running warpwise in an evenly repeating pattern, caused by the improper setting of sections in silk system (or indirect) warping.
SEERSUCKER: Lightweight fabric, made of cotton or manufactured fiber, having crinkled
stripes made by weaving some of the warp threads slack and others tight. Woven seersucker is more expensive than imitations made by chemical treatment.
SELF-TWIST YARN: An inherently twist-stable, two-ply structure having a ply twist that is alternately S- and Z-directed along the yarn.
SELVAGE or SELVEDGE: The narrow edge of woven fabric that runs parallel to the warp. It is made with stronger yarns in a tighter construction than the body of the fabric to prevent raveling. A fast selvage encloses all or part of the picks, and a selvage is not fast when the filling threads are cut at the fabric edge after every pick.
SEQUESTRANT: Any compound that will inactivate a metallic ion by forming a water-soluble complex in which the metal is held in a nonionizable form. This results in prevention of the usual precipitation reactions of the metal.
SERGE: Any smooth-faced cloth made with a two-up and two-down twill weave.
SERGING: 1. Overcasting the cut edge of a fabric to prevent raveling. 2. Finishing the edge of a carpet by oversewing rather than binding. Generally, the sides of a carpet are serged and the ends bound.
SERICIN: Silk gum. The gelatinous protein that cements the fibroin filaments in a silk fiber. It is removed in the process called degumming.
SET YARNS: False-twist yarns stabilized to produce bulk.
SHADECLOTH: A plain-weave cotton or linen fabric that is heavily sized and is often given oil treatment to make it opaque. The fabric is used for curtains and shades.
SHADED FILLING: A defect consisting of a bar running across the fabric caused by a
difference in appearance of the filling yarn, and occurring at a quill change or knot.
SHADING: In cut-pile fabrics, an apparent change in color when the pile is bent, caused by differences in the way light is reflected off the bent fibers. This phenomenon is a characteristic of pile fabrics, not a defect.
SHARKSKIN: 1. A hard-finished, twill fabric, woolen or worsted, made of simple weaves with a two-color arrangement of warp and filling yarns. 2. A plain-weave sportswear fabric made of dull-luster acetate or triacetate yarns.
SHEDDING: 1. The operation of forming a shed in weaving. 2. A loss of nominal length staple at any process in a staple yarn plant.
SHEERS: Transparent, lightweight fabrics of different constructions and yarns, especially those of silk and manufactured fibers. Examples are chiffons, some crepes, georgette, and voile.
SHIER: A short length of a single pick that appears to be cut out of the plane of the fabric.
SHINER: A relatively short streak caused by a lustrous section of a filament yarn. The principal cause is excessive tension applied to a yarn during processing.
SHOE FOLD: A manner of folding fabric. The piece is folded from both ends into twelve or sixteen folds. The length of the fold depends upon the length of the piece.
SHORT-CUT STAPLE: Staple fiber less than 0.75-ingh long. Typically used in wet-laid
nonwoven processes to make fabrics, or as reinforcement in plastics, concrete, asphalt, and other materials.
SHOT: In woven pile floor coverings, the number of filling yarns per row of tufts.
SHREDDING: The separation of compressed fibers in pulp sheets prior to acetylation in acetate manufacture.
SHRINKAGE: Widthwise or lengthwise contraction of a fiber, yarn, or fabric, usually after
wetting a redrying or on exposure to elevated temperature.
SHRINKAGE FORCE: The force generated by thermoplastic materials when they are subjected to elevated temperatures.
SHUTTLELESS LOOM: A loom in which some device other then a shuttle is used for weft insertion.
SILICONE: One of a group of polymeric organic silicon compounds obtained as oils, greases, or plastics and applied to textile material as water- and heat-resistant lubricants and finishes.
SIMULATED SPUN YARNS: Filament yarns that have been modified to have aesthetics
similar to those of spun yarns. Simulated spun yarn have looped or hairy surfaces.
SINGEING: The process of burning off protruding fibers from yarn or fabric by passing it over a flame or heated copper plates. Singeing gives the fabric a smooth surface and is
necessary for fabrics that are to be printed and for fabrics where smooth finishes are desired.
SINGLE-KNIT FABRIC: Also called plain knit, a fabric constructed with one needle bed and one set of needles.
SINGLING: A yarn defect caused by the breaking of one or more strands in a plying operation with resulting unevenness in the finished product.
SINKER: In weave design, a blank square indicating a filling thread over a warp thread at the point of intersection.
SINTERING: Forming a bonded mass or fiber by heating the constituents of the mass or fiber without melting.
SISAL: A strong, white, bast fiber produced from leaves of the Agave plant, which is found in Central America, West Indies, and Africa. Sisal is used chiefly for cordage and twine.
SIZE MARK: A fabric defect that consists of a rough or frosted spin caused by uneven
application or drying of the size.
SLACK MERCERIZATION: A process for producing stretch in cellulosic fabrics.
SLACK PICK: A single filling yarn woven under insufficient tension.
SLACK SELVAGE: A self-descriptive fabric defect caused by incorrect balance of cloth
structure between the ground and selvage or by the selvage ends being woven with insufficient tension.
SLEAZY: Thin, lacking firmness, open-meshed; usually describes poor-grade fabrics.
SLEEVING: A braided, knit, or woven product or fabric in tubular or cylindrical form that is less than 4 inches in width (i.e., 8 inches in circumference).
SLEY: The number of warp yarns per inch in a woven cloth on or off the loom.
SLIDE WASTE: A yarn defect that is similar in appearance to a slub. It consists of a mass of fiber encircling the yarn end and can be slid freely along the end.
SLIPPAGE: Sliding or slipping of the filling threads over the warp ends (or vice versa), which leaves open spaces in the fabric. Slippage results from a loose weave or unevenly matched warp and filling.
SLIT-FILM YARN: Yarn of a flat, tape-like character produced by slitting an extruded film.
SLIT TAPE: A fabric, 12 inches or less in width, made by cutting wider fabric to the desired width. Slit tapes are made primarily of cotton, linen, jute, glass, or asbestos and are used principally for functional purposes.
SLIVER: A continuous strand of loosely assembled fibers without twist. Sliver is delivered by the card, the comber, or the drawing frame. The production of sliver is the first step in the textile operation that brings staple fiber into a form that can be drawn (or reduced in bulk) and eventually twisted into a spun yarn.
SLIVER KNITTING: Circular knitting coupled with the drawing-in of a sliver by the needles to produce a pile-like fabric, usually for high-pile coats or heavy linings.
SLUB: A yarn defect consisting of a lump or thick place on the yarn caused by lint or small lengths of yarn adhering to it. Generally, in filament yarn, a slub is the result of broken filaments that have stripped back from the end to which they are attached.
SLUBBER: A machine used in textile processes prior to spinning that reduces the sliver and inserts the first twist.
SLUBBING: The product of the slubber, it is the intermediate stage between sliver and roving.
SLUB CATCHER: A mechanical or electronic device designed to aid in the detection and
removal of slubs or neps in yarns, usually during coning.
SLUB YARN: Any type of yarn that is irregular in diameter; the irregularity may be purposeful or the result of error. (Also see NOVELTY YARN, NUB YARN, and SLUB.)
SLUG: A thick place in a yarn or a piece of lint entangled in yarn, cord, or fabric.
SLURRY: A watery or solvent suspension; e.g., titanium dioxide mixed with water for addition to polymers.
SMASH: 1. A relatively large hole in fabric characterized by many broken warp ends and
floating picks. One cause is the breaking of one or both harness straps, permitting the harness to drop and break out warp ends. 2. The breaking of many yarn ends in a beaming operation,usually as a result of mechanical failures.
SMOULDERING: A slow, flameless, smoking burning of a fabric.
SNAG: A pulled thread in knits. It is in the wale direction in warp knits and in the course
direction in weft knits.
SNARL: A short length of warp or filling yarn that has twisted on itself because of lively twist or insufficient tension. The snarling may occur during or prior to the weaving process.
SOAKING: Treatment of rayon yarns in a lubricating and sizing solution preparatory to hard twisting.
SOAP: The detergent obtained by the formation of a sodium or potassium salt of a fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids.
SOFTENING POINT: The temperature at which substances without a sharp melting point
change from viscous to plastic flow.
SOIL BURIAL TEST: A test of resistance of textile material to certain microorganisms present in soil. The samples are buried in soil for an extended period, then removed and measured for strength loss.
SOILING: The staining or smudging of textile materials resulting from the deposit of dirt, oil undesirable dye, etc.
SOLUBLE: Capable of being dissolved, i.e., passing into solution.
SOURING: Any treatment of textile materials in dilute acid. Its purpose is the neutralization of any alkali that is present.
SPANDEX FIBER: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% of a segmented polyurethane (FTC definition).
END USES: Spandex is used in foundation garments, bathing suits, hose, and webbings.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Ratio of the mass of a material to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4°C. The range for modern fibers is not too great and is dependent to some extent on the liquid used as an immersant in measurements, because of fiber swelling and of possible absorption of liquid into fiber voids. (Also see DENSITY.)
SPECK: 1. A contaminant in polymer such as gels, metal, or dirt that shows up as a dark spot. 2.A small particle of foreign substance that has not been removed from the stock before spinning.
SPECKING: The removal of burrs, knots, and other objects that impair the finished appearance of woolens and worsteds.
SPECKY: A term used to describe dyed woolen fabric with specks of undyed vegetable matter on the face. The specks can be removed by carbonizing or covered by speck dyeing.
SPECTROGRAPH: A spectroscope equipped with a camera or some other device for recording the spectrum. (Also see SPECTROSCOPE.)
SPECTROMETER: An instrument for identifying and comparing materials by the dispersing of light and the study of the spectra formed.
SPECTROPHOTOMETER: An instrument used to measure the transmission or reflectance of light as a function of wavelength.
SPECTROSCOPE: An instrument for forming a spectrum for visual examination.
SPECTROSCOPY: The identification of materials by the analysis of their spectra.
SPHERULITE: A common form of polymer crystallization from melts or concentrated solutions. These crystallites show a radial symmetry from a central point and have a distinctive maltese cross pattern of birefringence under the polarizing microscope.
SPINDLE: A slender, upright, rotating rod on a spinning frame, roving frame, twister, winder, or similar machine. A bobbin is placed on the spindle to receive the yarn as the spindle is rotated at high speed.
SPIN-DRAWING: 1. The reduction of roving during spinning by a roller drafting mechanism similar to that used on the roving frame. 2. Combined spinning and drawing in one operation in melt-spun fibers.
SPINNERET: A metal disc containing numerous minute holes used in manufactured fiber extrusion. The spinning solution or melted polymer is forced through the holes to form the fiber filaments.
Flash Extrusion: The process in which a fiber-forming substance in a volatile solvent is
extruded from a high-temperature, high-pressure environment into lower temperature and pressure conditions, causing the solvent to rapidly evaporate, leaving a lacy, net-like fabric.
SPINNING FRAME: A machine used for spinning staple yarn. It drafts the roving to the
desired size, inserts twist, and winds the yarn onto a bobbin. The term is generally used to indicate a ring spinning frame, although it does cover flyer spinning and cap spinning on the worsted system.
SPINNING SOLUTION: A solution of a fiber-forming polymer (e.g., cellulose acetate) in a suitable condition to be extruded by either dry spinning or wet spinning.
SPINNING TWIST: The twist added to yarn during spinning to give it strength and other
desired characteristics.
SPIRAL YARNS: Specialty yarn made by winding heavier, slacklytwisted yarn around a finer yarn with a hard twist to give a slubby appearance.
SPLICING: 1. The joining of two ends of yarn or cordage. There are several methods used, e.g.,by interweaving the strands, by the use of knots, by tapering, lapping, and cementing the ends,etc. 2. A method of reinforcing knits, e.g., the heels and toes of hosiery, by introducing an additional yarn for strength.
SPLINTER: Two or more staple fibers adhering together, causing a stiff cluster that resists pulling apart in normal processing, and reacting in the yarn spinning process similarly to higher than nominal denier fiber.
SPLINTER COUNT: A measure of the number of coalesced fibers, mealy particles, or other such matter in staple fiber.
SPLIT-DRAFT METIER: An extrusion cabinet for dry spinning in which the drying medium (hot air) is introduced between the jet and the yarn outlet and flows in both directions.
SPLIT END: 1. A defect in fabric caused by breakage of some of the singles yarns in a plied warp yarn. 2. A defect in manufactured filament yarn caused by breakage of some of the filaments.
SPLIT-FLOW METIER: See SPLIT-DRAFT METIER.
SPLITTING: 1. In the processing of tow, a defect in which the integrity of opened tow is
disturbed by separation or division into two or more segments longitudinally. Splitting can be continuous or intermittent, long or short term. 2. In slashing, the separation of sized yarn ends before take up on the slasher beam.
SPOOL: A flanged wooden or metal cylinder upon which yarn, thread, or wire is wound. The spool has an axial hole for a pin or spindle used in winding. (Also see BEAM.)
SPUN-BONDED PRODUCTS: Nonwoven fabrics formed by filaments that have been
extruded, drawn, then laid on a continuous belt. Bonding is accomplished by several methods such as by hot roll calendering or by passing the web through a saturated-steam chamber at an elevated pressure.
SPUN FABRIC: A fabric made from staple fibers that may contain
one or a blend of two or more fiber types.
SPUNLACED FABRIC: A nonwoven fabric produced by entangling
fibers in a repeating pattern to form a strong fabric free of binders.
SPUN YARN: 1. A yarn consisting of staple fibers usually bound together by twist. 2. A melt spun fiber before it is drawn.
SQUEEGEE: The portion of a screen-printing apparatus consisting of a blade that forces the print paste through the screen onto the fabric.
SQUEEZE ROLLS: Rolls used to apply pressure for removal of water or chemicals from fabric.
STABILITY: A term used to describe the tendency of a fiber or fabric to return to its original shape after being subjected to external influence, such as tension, heat, or chemicals.
STABILIZED FIBER: Fiber that is heat or chemically treated to set the fiber properties and prevent deterioration, shrinkage, etc.
STAIN: See FINISHING SPOT.
STAINING: The undesired pickup of color by a fabric: (1) when immersed in water, dry cleaning solvent, or similar liquid medium that contains dyestuffs or coloring material not
intended for coloring the fabric; or (2) by direct contact with other dyed material from which color is transferred by bleeding or sublimation.
STAINLESS-STEEL FIBER: Textile fibers made of stainless steel. Steel fibers are used for
antistatic purposes in carpets, for tire belt construction, and for high-temperature or heat-resistant end uses.
STANDARD ATMOSPHERE: Air maintained at 70°F (21°C) and 65% relative humidity.
When international testing is involved, a standard temperature of 20°C or, by agreement, 27°C may be used. Special humidity and temperature conditions are sometimes prescribed for the testing of certain textiles for specific service predictions, resistance to water or biological action,etc.
STANDARD DEVIATION: A measure of the dispersion of a set of numbers based on the
difference of the individual numbers from the mean.
STANDARD MOISTURE REGAIN: Accepted moisture allowance for textile materials
expressed in percentages of their dry weight.
STANDING WIRE: A broad term describing fixed rods or strips extending through the loom reed, that control the height of the pile in a woven pile fabric.
STAPLE FABRIC: See SPUN FABRIC.
STAPLE FIBER: See STAPLE.
STAPLE PROCESSING: The conversion of staple into spun yarns suitable in evenness, size,twist, and strength for use in the weaving or knitting of fabrics.
STAPLE YARN: See SPUN YARN.
STARCH LUMP: See HARD SIZE.
START-UP MARK: See SET MARK.
STATIC: An accumulation of negative or positive electricity on the surface of fibers or fabrics because of inadequate electrical dissipation during processing. Static results in an electrical attraction or repulsion of the fibers relative to themselves, to machine parts, or to other materials,preventing the fiber from traveling in a normal path in the process.
STATIC ADHESION: In tire cord, the measurement of the strength of a cord-to-rubber bond under static conditions or very low strain rate.
STATIC CRACK: See SHIER.
STEAM CHEST: A steam-heated cabinet used in manufactured fiber production. Usually refers to the heated cabinet in which spin-drawing is done or to the cabinet around a stuffer-box crimper.
STENTER: See TENTER FRAME.
STICKER: 1. A distortion in the weave characterized by tight and slack places in the same warp yarns. The principal causes are rolled ends on the beam, warp ends restricted by broken filament slubs, and knots catching at lease rods, drop wires, heddles, or reeds. (Also see DRAW-BACK.)2. See HARD SIZE.
STIFFNESS: The property of a fiber or fabric to resist bending or to carry a load without
deformation. It is based on the fiber modulus.
STITCH BONDING: See BONDING, 2.
STITCHING: The process of passing a fiber or thread through the thickness of fabric layers to secure them. In composite manufacture, stitching is used to make preforms or to improve damage tolerance of complex-shaped parts.
STOCK DYEING: See DYEING.
STOCKINETTE: A knit fabric in tubular or flat form made with a plain stitch from yarns of
wool, cotton, manufactured fibers, or a combination of these fibers. Stockinette fabrics are used for underwear, industrial applications, and other purposes. In heavier constructions, dyed and napped stockinette finds apparel uses. (Also spelled stockinet.)
STOLL-QUARTERMASTER UNIVERSAL WEAR TESTER: A versatile testing apparatus
for measuring wear resistance of fabrics, yarns, thread, etc. It can be equipped with either of two testing heads, one for testing abrasion resistance of flat surfaces and the other for testing resistance to flexing and abrasion. (See diagram.)
STOP MOTION: Any device that automatically stops a textile machine’s operation on the
occurrence of a yarn break, a high defect count, etc.
STRAIN RECOVERY CURVE: See TENSILE HYSTERESIS CURVE.
STRAND: 1. A single fiber, filament, or monofilament. 2. An ordered assemblage of textile fibers having a high ratio of length to diameter and normally used as a unit; includes slivers, roving, single yarns, plies yarns, cords, braids, ropes, etc.
STRAW: A general term for plant fibers obtained from stems, stalks, leaves, bark, grass, etc.They are made into hats, bags, shoes, mats, etc., by weaving, plaiting, or braiding.
STREAK: A discoloration (rust, oil, dye, grease, soap, etc.) extended as an irregular stripe in the cloth.
STRENGTH COUNT PRODUCT: See BREAK FACTOR.
STRESS: The resistance to deformation developed within a specimen subjected to an external force. Typical examples are tensile stress, shear stress, or compressive stress. Stress usually reaches a maximum at the time of rupture. When a textile material is subjected to a stress below that causing rupture, the stress gradually decreases or decays with time.
STRETCH BREAKING: In conversion of tow-to-top, fibers are hot stretched and broken rather than cut to prevent some of the damage done by cutting.
STRETCH GROWTH: See SECONDARY CREEP.
STRETCH SPINNING: A term used in the manufacture of rayon. Rayon filaments are
stretched while moist and before final coagulation to decrease their diameter and increase theirstrength.
STRETCH YARN: See TEXTURED YARNS.
STRIATIONS: Streaks or bands or various nature in fibers or fabrics.
STRIÉ: A term describing any cloth having irregular stripes or streaks of practically the same color as the background.
STRINGUP: See THREADUP.
STRINGY SELVAGE: See SLACK SELVAGE.
STRIPPING: 1. A chemical process for removing color from dyed cloth by the use of various chemicals. Stripping is done when the color is unsatisfactory and the fabric is to be redyed. 2.The physical process of removing fiber that in embedded in the clothing of a card. 3. See DEGUMMING.
STUFFER BOX: A mechanism for crimping in which a fiber bundle (e.g., tow or filament yarn) is jammed against itself, causing it to crimp. By the suitable application of heat (usually wet steam) and pressure to the stuffed tow, a high and permanent crimp can be forced into the bundle. (Also see TEXTURING, Stuffer Box Method.)
STUFFERS: Extra yarns running in the warp direction through a woven fabric to increase the fabric strength and weight.
S TWIST: See TWIST, DIRECTION OF.
STYRENE: An unsaturated hydrocarbon, (C6H5-CH = CH2), prepared from coal tar. Polystyrene is a colorless, transparent plastic used for molding various articles for insulation, transparent parts, radio parts, etc.
SUBSURFACE STABILIZATION FABRICS: See GEO TEXTILES.
SUEDE FABRIC: Woven or knitted cloth finished to resemble suede leather, usually by
napping, shearing, and sanding techniques.
SULFONATED: A term describing a material that has been reacted with sulfonic acid, usually to impart solubility, dyeability with cationic dyes, or other properties.
SULFONIC ACID: Any acid containing the sulfonic group, (SO3H).
SUPERABSORBENT: A material that can absorb many times the amount of liquid ordinarily absorbed by cellulosic materials such as wood pulp, cotton, and rayon.
SURAH: A soft fabric of silk or filament polyester or acetate, usually a twill and often woven in a plaid. Surah is used for ties, mufflers, blouses, and dresses.
SURFACE CHARGE: The electrical charge on the surface of a substance.
SURFACE ENERGY: 1. The free energy of the surfaces at an interface that arises because of differences in the tendencies of each phase to attract its own molecules. 2. The work that would be required to increase the surface area of a liquid by one unit area.
SURFACE TENSION: Intermolecular forces acting on the molecules at the free surface of a liquid tend to minimize the surface area of the liquid and give the surface properties similar to those of an elastic skin under tension. When two dissimilar liquids make contact, these intermolecular forces will cause the shape of the interface to change until the potential energy of the entire molecular system is at a minimum.
SURFACTANT: A surface-active agent, i.e., a product that acts by modifying the surface or boundary between two phases.
SWATCH: A piece of fabric used as a representative sample of any fabric.
SWELLING: In textile usage, expanding of a fiber caused by the influence of a solvent or chemical agent. A property often used to facilitate dyeing.
SYNDIOTACTIC POLYMER: A polymer structure in which the atoms that are not part of the backbone chain are distributed in a symmetrical and recurring manner above and below the backbone chain when the latter is in a single plane. (Also see ATACTIC POLYMER,ISOTACTIC POLYMER, and TACTIC POLYMER.)
SYNTHETIC FIBER: Another term for manufactured fiber.
Textile Dictionary is start by Letter-S
SAILCLOTH: Any heavy, strongly made woven canvas of cotton, linen, jute, polyester, nylon,aramid, etc., that is used for sails. Laminated fabrics are also finding use in this market. Sailcloth's used for apparel, particularly sportswear.
SAND: Used as a filter medium in fiber manufacture, particularly used in spinning packs for nylon or polyester production.
SANDWICH BLEND: A method of preparing fiber mixtures by layering them horizontally in alternating layers with all elements in the proper proportion. Vertical sections are cut and fed to the next machine in the process, where blending is effected.
SAPONIFICATION: Specifically in relation to manufactured fibers, saponification is the
process of removing part or all of the groups from acetate or triacetate fiber, leaving regenerated cellulose.
SASE: Acronym for stress at specified elongation; the stress experienced by a yarn or cord at a given elongation.
SATEEN: A cotton fabric made in a satin weave.
SATURATION VALUE: The maximum amount of dye that can be absorbed by a textile fiber under defined conditions.
SALLOPED SELVAGE: A fabric defect consisting of an abrupt, narrow place along the
selvage. Principal cause is the failure of the clip on the tenter frame to engage or hold the fabric.
SCHAPPE: A yarn from partly degummed silk waste.
SCORCHING: The tendering of a fiber surface by heat so as to change the color and texture of the surface.
SCOURING: An operation to remove the sizing and tint used on the warp yarn in weaving and,in general, to clean the fabric prior to dyeing.
SCREEN: 1. A hollow, cylindrical, coarse-mesh wire device used in pickers and certain openers to form the loose staple stock into a sheet, or lap. The screen is mounted horizontally on a shaft on which it revolves freely. 2. A stencil used in screen printing. It is made of fine cloth, usually of silk or nylon, finely perforated in areas to form a design and mounted on a frame. The paste containing the dye is forced through the perforations onto the fabric, leaving the design. A series of screens, one for each color, is used for multicolored designs.
SCREW FEEDS: Feed systems in which the action of the screw generates pressure that causes flow. The system usually consists of a container with a closely fitting screw unit.
SCREW MELTER: 1. Screw extruder in which frictional forces between the screw and the
heated barrel contribute to rapid melting of solid polymer. This configuration is capable of high throughput. 2. System in which a screw feed is used to feed polymer to a melt grid and to maintain a constant pressure at the grid.
SCRIM: 1. A lightweight, open-weave, coarse fabric; the best qualities are made with two-ply yarns. Cotton scrim usually comes in white, cream, or ecru and is used for window curtains and as backing for carpets. 2. Fabric with open construction used as base fabric in the production of coated or laminated fabrics.
SCROOP: The sound of rustle or crunch that is characteristic of silk. Scroop is a natural
property of silk, but may be induced in other fabrics to a degree by various treatments.
SCULPTURED: A term describing a carpet with areas of contrasting depth produced by mixing cut pile and loops.
SEAMING: Joining the overlap of two pieces of fabric, usually near their edges.
SEAMLESS: A term that describes a tubular knit fabric without seams, e.g., seamless hosiery.
SEAM MARK: A particular type of pressure mark in the finished fabric. It is produced during finishing operations by the thickness of the seam used to join pieces for processing.
SEAM SLIPPAGE: A defect consisting of separated yarns occurring when sewn fabrics pull apart at the seams. Seam slippage is more prone to occur in smooth-yarn fabrics produced from manufactured filament yarns.
SECTION BEAM: 1. A large, flanged roll upon which warp yarn is wound at the beam warper in preparation for slashing. 2. Small flanged or unflanged beams assembled side-by-side on the shaft of a warp beam for further processing.
SECTION MARK: A fabric defect consisting of marks running warpwise in an evenly repeating pattern, caused by the improper setting of sections in silk system (or indirect) warping.
SEERSUCKER: Lightweight fabric, made of cotton or manufactured fiber, having crinkled
stripes made by weaving some of the warp threads slack and others tight. Woven seersucker is more expensive than imitations made by chemical treatment.
SELF-TWIST YARN: An inherently twist-stable, two-ply structure having a ply twist that is alternately S- and Z-directed along the yarn.
SELVAGE or SELVEDGE: The narrow edge of woven fabric that runs parallel to the warp. It is made with stronger yarns in a tighter construction than the body of the fabric to prevent raveling. A fast selvage encloses all or part of the picks, and a selvage is not fast when the filling threads are cut at the fabric edge after every pick.
SEQUESTRANT: Any compound that will inactivate a metallic ion by forming a water-soluble complex in which the metal is held in a nonionizable form. This results in prevention of the usual precipitation reactions of the metal.
SERGE: Any smooth-faced cloth made with a two-up and two-down twill weave.
SERGING: 1. Overcasting the cut edge of a fabric to prevent raveling. 2. Finishing the edge of a carpet by oversewing rather than binding. Generally, the sides of a carpet are serged and the ends bound.
SERICIN: Silk gum. The gelatinous protein that cements the fibroin filaments in a silk fiber. It is removed in the process called degumming.
SET YARNS: False-twist yarns stabilized to produce bulk.
SHADECLOTH: A plain-weave cotton or linen fabric that is heavily sized and is often given oil treatment to make it opaque. The fabric is used for curtains and shades.
SHADED FILLING: A defect consisting of a bar running across the fabric caused by a
difference in appearance of the filling yarn, and occurring at a quill change or knot.
SHADING: In cut-pile fabrics, an apparent change in color when the pile is bent, caused by differences in the way light is reflected off the bent fibers. This phenomenon is a characteristic of pile fabrics, not a defect.
SHARKSKIN: 1. A hard-finished, twill fabric, woolen or worsted, made of simple weaves with a two-color arrangement of warp and filling yarns. 2. A plain-weave sportswear fabric made of dull-luster acetate or triacetate yarns.
SHEDDING: 1. The operation of forming a shed in weaving. 2. A loss of nominal length staple at any process in a staple yarn plant.
SHEERS: Transparent, lightweight fabrics of different constructions and yarns, especially those of silk and manufactured fibers. Examples are chiffons, some crepes, georgette, and voile.
SHIER: A short length of a single pick that appears to be cut out of the plane of the fabric.
SHINER: A relatively short streak caused by a lustrous section of a filament yarn. The principal cause is excessive tension applied to a yarn during processing.
SHOE FOLD: A manner of folding fabric. The piece is folded from both ends into twelve or sixteen folds. The length of the fold depends upon the length of the piece.
SHORT-CUT STAPLE: Staple fiber less than 0.75-ingh long. Typically used in wet-laid
nonwoven processes to make fabrics, or as reinforcement in plastics, concrete, asphalt, and other materials.
SHOT: In woven pile floor coverings, the number of filling yarns per row of tufts.
SHREDDING: The separation of compressed fibers in pulp sheets prior to acetylation in acetate manufacture.
SHRINKAGE: Widthwise or lengthwise contraction of a fiber, yarn, or fabric, usually after
wetting a redrying or on exposure to elevated temperature.
SHRINKAGE FORCE: The force generated by thermoplastic materials when they are subjected to elevated temperatures.
SHUTTLELESS LOOM: A loom in which some device other then a shuttle is used for weft insertion.
SILICONE: One of a group of polymeric organic silicon compounds obtained as oils, greases, or plastics and applied to textile material as water- and heat-resistant lubricants and finishes.
SIMULATED SPUN YARNS: Filament yarns that have been modified to have aesthetics
similar to those of spun yarns. Simulated spun yarn have looped or hairy surfaces.
SINGEING: The process of burning off protruding fibers from yarn or fabric by passing it over a flame or heated copper plates. Singeing gives the fabric a smooth surface and is
necessary for fabrics that are to be printed and for fabrics where smooth finishes are desired.
SINGLE-KNIT FABRIC: Also called plain knit, a fabric constructed with one needle bed and one set of needles.
SINGLING: A yarn defect caused by the breaking of one or more strands in a plying operation with resulting unevenness in the finished product.
SINKER: In weave design, a blank square indicating a filling thread over a warp thread at the point of intersection.
SINTERING: Forming a bonded mass or fiber by heating the constituents of the mass or fiber without melting.
SISAL: A strong, white, bast fiber produced from leaves of the Agave plant, which is found in Central America, West Indies, and Africa. Sisal is used chiefly for cordage and twine.
SIZE MARK: A fabric defect that consists of a rough or frosted spin caused by uneven
application or drying of the size.
SLACK MERCERIZATION: A process for producing stretch in cellulosic fabrics.
SLACK PICK: A single filling yarn woven under insufficient tension.
SLACK SELVAGE: A self-descriptive fabric defect caused by incorrect balance of cloth
structure between the ground and selvage or by the selvage ends being woven with insufficient tension.
SLEAZY: Thin, lacking firmness, open-meshed; usually describes poor-grade fabrics.
SLEEVING: A braided, knit, or woven product or fabric in tubular or cylindrical form that is less than 4 inches in width (i.e., 8 inches in circumference).
SLEY: The number of warp yarns per inch in a woven cloth on or off the loom.
SLIDE WASTE: A yarn defect that is similar in appearance to a slub. It consists of a mass of fiber encircling the yarn end and can be slid freely along the end.
SLIPPAGE: Sliding or slipping of the filling threads over the warp ends (or vice versa), which leaves open spaces in the fabric. Slippage results from a loose weave or unevenly matched warp and filling.
SLIT-FILM YARN: Yarn of a flat, tape-like character produced by slitting an extruded film.
SLIT TAPE: A fabric, 12 inches or less in width, made by cutting wider fabric to the desired width. Slit tapes are made primarily of cotton, linen, jute, glass, or asbestos and are used principally for functional purposes.
SLIVER: A continuous strand of loosely assembled fibers without twist. Sliver is delivered by the card, the comber, or the drawing frame. The production of sliver is the first step in the textile operation that brings staple fiber into a form that can be drawn (or reduced in bulk) and eventually twisted into a spun yarn.
SLIVER KNITTING: Circular knitting coupled with the drawing-in of a sliver by the needles to produce a pile-like fabric, usually for high-pile coats or heavy linings.
SLUB: A yarn defect consisting of a lump or thick place on the yarn caused by lint or small lengths of yarn adhering to it. Generally, in filament yarn, a slub is the result of broken filaments that have stripped back from the end to which they are attached.
SLUBBER: A machine used in textile processes prior to spinning that reduces the sliver and inserts the first twist.
SLUBBING: The product of the slubber, it is the intermediate stage between sliver and roving.
SLUB CATCHER: A mechanical or electronic device designed to aid in the detection and
removal of slubs or neps in yarns, usually during coning.
SLUB YARN: Any type of yarn that is irregular in diameter; the irregularity may be purposeful or the result of error. (Also see NOVELTY YARN, NUB YARN, and SLUB.)
SLUG: A thick place in a yarn or a piece of lint entangled in yarn, cord, or fabric.
SLURRY: A watery or solvent suspension; e.g., titanium dioxide mixed with water for addition to polymers.
SMASH: 1. A relatively large hole in fabric characterized by many broken warp ends and
floating picks. One cause is the breaking of one or both harness straps, permitting the harness to drop and break out warp ends. 2. The breaking of many yarn ends in a beaming operation,usually as a result of mechanical failures.
SMOULDERING: A slow, flameless, smoking burning of a fabric.
SNAG: A pulled thread in knits. It is in the wale direction in warp knits and in the course
direction in weft knits.
SNARL: A short length of warp or filling yarn that has twisted on itself because of lively twist or insufficient tension. The snarling may occur during or prior to the weaving process.
SOAKING: Treatment of rayon yarns in a lubricating and sizing solution preparatory to hard twisting.
SOAP: The detergent obtained by the formation of a sodium or potassium salt of a fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids.
SOFTENING POINT: The temperature at which substances without a sharp melting point
change from viscous to plastic flow.
SOIL BURIAL TEST: A test of resistance of textile material to certain microorganisms present in soil. The samples are buried in soil for an extended period, then removed and measured for strength loss.
SOILING: The staining or smudging of textile materials resulting from the deposit of dirt, oil undesirable dye, etc.
SOLUBLE: Capable of being dissolved, i.e., passing into solution.
SOURING: Any treatment of textile materials in dilute acid. Its purpose is the neutralization of any alkali that is present.
SPANDEX FIBER: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% of a segmented polyurethane (FTC definition).
END USES: Spandex is used in foundation garments, bathing suits, hose, and webbings.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Ratio of the mass of a material to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4°C. The range for modern fibers is not too great and is dependent to some extent on the liquid used as an immersant in measurements, because of fiber swelling and of possible absorption of liquid into fiber voids. (Also see DENSITY.)
SPECK: 1. A contaminant in polymer such as gels, metal, or dirt that shows up as a dark spot. 2.A small particle of foreign substance that has not been removed from the stock before spinning.
SPECKING: The removal of burrs, knots, and other objects that impair the finished appearance of woolens and worsteds.
SPECKY: A term used to describe dyed woolen fabric with specks of undyed vegetable matter on the face. The specks can be removed by carbonizing or covered by speck dyeing.
SPECTROGRAPH: A spectroscope equipped with a camera or some other device for recording the spectrum. (Also see SPECTROSCOPE.)
SPECTROMETER: An instrument for identifying and comparing materials by the dispersing of light and the study of the spectra formed.
SPECTROPHOTOMETER: An instrument used to measure the transmission or reflectance of light as a function of wavelength.
SPECTROSCOPE: An instrument for forming a spectrum for visual examination.
SPECTROSCOPY: The identification of materials by the analysis of their spectra.
SPHERULITE: A common form of polymer crystallization from melts or concentrated solutions. These crystallites show a radial symmetry from a central point and have a distinctive maltese cross pattern of birefringence under the polarizing microscope.
SPINDLE: A slender, upright, rotating rod on a spinning frame, roving frame, twister, winder, or similar machine. A bobbin is placed on the spindle to receive the yarn as the spindle is rotated at high speed.
SPIN-DRAWING: 1. The reduction of roving during spinning by a roller drafting mechanism similar to that used on the roving frame. 2. Combined spinning and drawing in one operation in melt-spun fibers.
SPINNERET: A metal disc containing numerous minute holes used in manufactured fiber extrusion. The spinning solution or melted polymer is forced through the holes to form the fiber filaments.
Flash Extrusion: The process in which a fiber-forming substance in a volatile solvent is
extruded from a high-temperature, high-pressure environment into lower temperature and pressure conditions, causing the solvent to rapidly evaporate, leaving a lacy, net-like fabric.
SPINNING FRAME: A machine used for spinning staple yarn. It drafts the roving to the
desired size, inserts twist, and winds the yarn onto a bobbin. The term is generally used to indicate a ring spinning frame, although it does cover flyer spinning and cap spinning on the worsted system.
SPINNING SOLUTION: A solution of a fiber-forming polymer (e.g., cellulose acetate) in a suitable condition to be extruded by either dry spinning or wet spinning.
SPINNING TWIST: The twist added to yarn during spinning to give it strength and other
desired characteristics.
SPIRAL YARNS: Specialty yarn made by winding heavier, slacklytwisted yarn around a finer yarn with a hard twist to give a slubby appearance.
SPLICING: 1. The joining of two ends of yarn or cordage. There are several methods used, e.g.,by interweaving the strands, by the use of knots, by tapering, lapping, and cementing the ends,etc. 2. A method of reinforcing knits, e.g., the heels and toes of hosiery, by introducing an additional yarn for strength.
SPLINTER: Two or more staple fibers adhering together, causing a stiff cluster that resists pulling apart in normal processing, and reacting in the yarn spinning process similarly to higher than nominal denier fiber.
SPLINTER COUNT: A measure of the number of coalesced fibers, mealy particles, or other such matter in staple fiber.
SPLIT-DRAFT METIER: An extrusion cabinet for dry spinning in which the drying medium (hot air) is introduced between the jet and the yarn outlet and flows in both directions.
SPLIT END: 1. A defect in fabric caused by breakage of some of the singles yarns in a plied warp yarn. 2. A defect in manufactured filament yarn caused by breakage of some of the filaments.
SPLIT-FLOW METIER: See SPLIT-DRAFT METIER.
SPLITTING: 1. In the processing of tow, a defect in which the integrity of opened tow is
disturbed by separation or division into two or more segments longitudinally. Splitting can be continuous or intermittent, long or short term. 2. In slashing, the separation of sized yarn ends before take up on the slasher beam.
SPOOL: A flanged wooden or metal cylinder upon which yarn, thread, or wire is wound. The spool has an axial hole for a pin or spindle used in winding. (Also see BEAM.)
SPUN-BONDED PRODUCTS: Nonwoven fabrics formed by filaments that have been
extruded, drawn, then laid on a continuous belt. Bonding is accomplished by several methods such as by hot roll calendering or by passing the web through a saturated-steam chamber at an elevated pressure.
SPUN FABRIC: A fabric made from staple fibers that may contain
one or a blend of two or more fiber types.
SPUNLACED FABRIC: A nonwoven fabric produced by entangling
fibers in a repeating pattern to form a strong fabric free of binders.
SPUN YARN: 1. A yarn consisting of staple fibers usually bound together by twist. 2. A melt spun fiber before it is drawn.
SQUEEGEE: The portion of a screen-printing apparatus consisting of a blade that forces the print paste through the screen onto the fabric.
SQUEEZE ROLLS: Rolls used to apply pressure for removal of water or chemicals from fabric.
STABILITY: A term used to describe the tendency of a fiber or fabric to return to its original shape after being subjected to external influence, such as tension, heat, or chemicals.
STABILIZED FIBER: Fiber that is heat or chemically treated to set the fiber properties and prevent deterioration, shrinkage, etc.
STAIN: See FINISHING SPOT.
STAINING: The undesired pickup of color by a fabric: (1) when immersed in water, dry cleaning solvent, or similar liquid medium that contains dyestuffs or coloring material not
intended for coloring the fabric; or (2) by direct contact with other dyed material from which color is transferred by bleeding or sublimation.
STAINLESS-STEEL FIBER: Textile fibers made of stainless steel. Steel fibers are used for
antistatic purposes in carpets, for tire belt construction, and for high-temperature or heat-resistant end uses.
STANDARD ATMOSPHERE: Air maintained at 70°F (21°C) and 65% relative humidity.
When international testing is involved, a standard temperature of 20°C or, by agreement, 27°C may be used. Special humidity and temperature conditions are sometimes prescribed for the testing of certain textiles for specific service predictions, resistance to water or biological action,etc.
STANDARD DEVIATION: A measure of the dispersion of a set of numbers based on the
difference of the individual numbers from the mean.
STANDARD MOISTURE REGAIN: Accepted moisture allowance for textile materials
expressed in percentages of their dry weight.
STANDING WIRE: A broad term describing fixed rods or strips extending through the loom reed, that control the height of the pile in a woven pile fabric.
STAPLE FABRIC: See SPUN FABRIC.
STAPLE FIBER: See STAPLE.
STAPLE PROCESSING: The conversion of staple into spun yarns suitable in evenness, size,twist, and strength for use in the weaving or knitting of fabrics.
STAPLE YARN: See SPUN YARN.
STARCH LUMP: See HARD SIZE.
START-UP MARK: See SET MARK.
STATIC: An accumulation of negative or positive electricity on the surface of fibers or fabrics because of inadequate electrical dissipation during processing. Static results in an electrical attraction or repulsion of the fibers relative to themselves, to machine parts, or to other materials,preventing the fiber from traveling in a normal path in the process.
STATIC ADHESION: In tire cord, the measurement of the strength of a cord-to-rubber bond under static conditions or very low strain rate.
STATIC CRACK: See SHIER.
STEAM CHEST: A steam-heated cabinet used in manufactured fiber production. Usually refers to the heated cabinet in which spin-drawing is done or to the cabinet around a stuffer-box crimper.
STENTER: See TENTER FRAME.
STICKER: 1. A distortion in the weave characterized by tight and slack places in the same warp yarns. The principal causes are rolled ends on the beam, warp ends restricted by broken filament slubs, and knots catching at lease rods, drop wires, heddles, or reeds. (Also see DRAW-BACK.)2. See HARD SIZE.
STIFFNESS: The property of a fiber or fabric to resist bending or to carry a load without
deformation. It is based on the fiber modulus.
STITCH BONDING: See BONDING, 2.
STITCHING: The process of passing a fiber or thread through the thickness of fabric layers to secure them. In composite manufacture, stitching is used to make preforms or to improve damage tolerance of complex-shaped parts.
STOCK DYEING: See DYEING.
STOCKINETTE: A knit fabric in tubular or flat form made with a plain stitch from yarns of
wool, cotton, manufactured fibers, or a combination of these fibers. Stockinette fabrics are used for underwear, industrial applications, and other purposes. In heavier constructions, dyed and napped stockinette finds apparel uses. (Also spelled stockinet.)
STOLL-QUARTERMASTER UNIVERSAL WEAR TESTER: A versatile testing apparatus
for measuring wear resistance of fabrics, yarns, thread, etc. It can be equipped with either of two testing heads, one for testing abrasion resistance of flat surfaces and the other for testing resistance to flexing and abrasion. (See diagram.)
STOP MOTION: Any device that automatically stops a textile machine’s operation on the
occurrence of a yarn break, a high defect count, etc.
STRAIN RECOVERY CURVE: See TENSILE HYSTERESIS CURVE.
STRAND: 1. A single fiber, filament, or monofilament. 2. An ordered assemblage of textile fibers having a high ratio of length to diameter and normally used as a unit; includes slivers, roving, single yarns, plies yarns, cords, braids, ropes, etc.
STRAW: A general term for plant fibers obtained from stems, stalks, leaves, bark, grass, etc.They are made into hats, bags, shoes, mats, etc., by weaving, plaiting, or braiding.
STREAK: A discoloration (rust, oil, dye, grease, soap, etc.) extended as an irregular stripe in the cloth.
STRENGTH COUNT PRODUCT: See BREAK FACTOR.
STRESS: The resistance to deformation developed within a specimen subjected to an external force. Typical examples are tensile stress, shear stress, or compressive stress. Stress usually reaches a maximum at the time of rupture. When a textile material is subjected to a stress below that causing rupture, the stress gradually decreases or decays with time.
STRETCH BREAKING: In conversion of tow-to-top, fibers are hot stretched and broken rather than cut to prevent some of the damage done by cutting.
STRETCH GROWTH: See SECONDARY CREEP.
STRETCH SPINNING: A term used in the manufacture of rayon. Rayon filaments are
stretched while moist and before final coagulation to decrease their diameter and increase theirstrength.
STRETCH YARN: See TEXTURED YARNS.
STRIATIONS: Streaks or bands or various nature in fibers or fabrics.
STRIÉ: A term describing any cloth having irregular stripes or streaks of practically the same color as the background.
STRINGUP: See THREADUP.
STRINGY SELVAGE: See SLACK SELVAGE.
STRIPPING: 1. A chemical process for removing color from dyed cloth by the use of various chemicals. Stripping is done when the color is unsatisfactory and the fabric is to be redyed. 2.The physical process of removing fiber that in embedded in the clothing of a card. 3. See DEGUMMING.
STUFFER BOX: A mechanism for crimping in which a fiber bundle (e.g., tow or filament yarn) is jammed against itself, causing it to crimp. By the suitable application of heat (usually wet steam) and pressure to the stuffed tow, a high and permanent crimp can be forced into the bundle. (Also see TEXTURING, Stuffer Box Method.)
STUFFERS: Extra yarns running in the warp direction through a woven fabric to increase the fabric strength and weight.
S TWIST: See TWIST, DIRECTION OF.
STYRENE: An unsaturated hydrocarbon, (C6H5-CH = CH2), prepared from coal tar. Polystyrene is a colorless, transparent plastic used for molding various articles for insulation, transparent parts, radio parts, etc.
SUBSURFACE STABILIZATION FABRICS: See GEO TEXTILES.
SUEDE FABRIC: Woven or knitted cloth finished to resemble suede leather, usually by
napping, shearing, and sanding techniques.
SULFONATED: A term describing a material that has been reacted with sulfonic acid, usually to impart solubility, dyeability with cationic dyes, or other properties.
SULFONIC ACID: Any acid containing the sulfonic group, (SO3H).
SUPERABSORBENT: A material that can absorb many times the amount of liquid ordinarily absorbed by cellulosic materials such as wood pulp, cotton, and rayon.
SURAH: A soft fabric of silk or filament polyester or acetate, usually a twill and often woven in a plaid. Surah is used for ties, mufflers, blouses, and dresses.
SURFACE CHARGE: The electrical charge on the surface of a substance.
SURFACE ENERGY: 1. The free energy of the surfaces at an interface that arises because of differences in the tendencies of each phase to attract its own molecules. 2. The work that would be required to increase the surface area of a liquid by one unit area.
SURFACE TENSION: Intermolecular forces acting on the molecules at the free surface of a liquid tend to minimize the surface area of the liquid and give the surface properties similar to those of an elastic skin under tension. When two dissimilar liquids make contact, these intermolecular forces will cause the shape of the interface to change until the potential energy of the entire molecular system is at a minimum.
SURFACTANT: A surface-active agent, i.e., a product that acts by modifying the surface or boundary between two phases.
SWATCH: A piece of fabric used as a representative sample of any fabric.
SWELLING: In textile usage, expanding of a fiber caused by the influence of a solvent or chemical agent. A property often used to facilitate dyeing.
SYNDIOTACTIC POLYMER: A polymer structure in which the atoms that are not part of the backbone chain are distributed in a symmetrical and recurring manner above and below the backbone chain when the latter is in a single plane. (Also see ATACTIC POLYMER,ISOTACTIC POLYMER, and TACTIC POLYMER.)
SYNTHETIC FIBER: Another term for manufactured fiber.
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