[nanoPost] Two Smart Materials for Application in Fashion Textile Design

Research Centre Portugal

Shape memory materials are considered smart materials because can sense and respond in a controlled manner to environmental stimuli. SMPs are materials with memory of shape that are able to return to a pre-programed shape, with the right stimuli: temperature. The shape memory effect can be observed in alloys (shape memory Alloys) and in polymers (shape memory polymers). This research aims to compare both types of Shape Memory Materials, in order to determine the most appropriate for application in fashion textile design.

The incorporation of SMAs on fabrics have been mainly for functional attributes, not aesthetics. The excessive incorporation of alloys in textiles will have a detrimental effect on handle of the fabric. The development of SMPs has shown great interest because of light weight, high shape recovery, easy manipulation, low cost and good handle as compared with SMAs. The SMPs, can be extruded as fibres, programmed, used as filament yarns or spun like as fancy yarns in blends with other fibres. The conclusion is that, SMPs besides having light weight advantage, good shape recovery, easy manipulation, and better handle than SMAs, has greater potential for textile application, and consequently application to fashion textile design.