Fabric Finishes for Comfort, Performance, & Protection

Textile professionals have been using fabric finishing techniques almost since the beginning of time. However, in the last few years, the purpose and sophistication of these finishes has shifted. "For a long time, people tried to use different fibers or fiber types to affect how fabric is perceived on the human body," notes Emiel DenHartog of North Carolina State University (NCSU). "Over the last couple years, people have increasingly been using chemical finishes to change how fabric interacts with heat or moisture on the skin or in the environment. We have seen some chemical finishes that work differently at different temperatures or humidity, for example, or that change the basic behavior of the fabric." A review of traditional processes and, more importantly, recent developments in finishing techniques in each of these areas will provide a basis of understanding of the current state of fabric finishes, as well as new developments that can be expected.