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3 8 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

You searched in Glossary Terms for [P]. We found 83 matching entries.

Pa (Pascal):
the pressure produced by a force of 1 Newton applied, uniformly distributed, over an area of 1 m2. Used in textile testing as a measure of bursting pressure.
Paisley:
a traditional decorative pattern featuring an Indian cone or pine.
PAN:
polyacrylonitrile—a precursor for making carbon fibres.
Panné:
a satin-faced velvet or silk fabric with a high lustre achieved by finishing.
Papermakers' felts:
textile based felts used to extract water during the process of paper making.
Partially orientated yarn (POY):
a continuous filament yarn made by extruding a synthetic polymer so that a substantial degree of molecular orientation is present in the resulting filaments, but further molecular orientation is possible. The resulting yarn will usually require a positive draw ratio in subsequent processing in order to orient the molecular structure fully and optimise the yarns tensile properties.
Partially oriented yarn:
a continuous synthetic filament made by extruding a polymer so that a substantial degree of molecular orientation is present in the resulting filaments, but further substantial molecular orientation is still possible. The resulting yarn will usually have to be drawn in a subsequent process in order to orient the molecular structure fully and optimise the yarn's tensile properties.
Partially oriented yarn (POY):
a continuous filament yarn made by extruding a synthetic polymer so that a substantial degree of molecular orientation is present in the resulting filaments, but further molecular orientation is possible. The resulting yarn will usually require a positive draw ratio in subsequent processing in order to orient the molecular structure fully and optimise the yarns tensile properties.
Passementerie:
an open-work braid technique, traditionally used for furnishing braid.
PBI:
polybenzimidazole, a highly flame resistant fibre with low shrinkage properties when exposed to flame.
PBO:
polybenzoxazole, a high performance polymer developed in US Air Force research programmes.
PBT:
polybutylene terephthalate, a type of polyester fibre used to provide fabrics with durable stretch properties.
PCB:
polychlorinated biphenyl. PCBs are a group of toxic, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons used in a variety of commercial applications, including paints, inks, adhesives, electrical condensers, batteries, and lubricants. PCBs are known to cause skin diseases and are suspected of causing birth defects and cancer.
Peachskin:
the term used to describe the soft surface of certain textiles which feels like, and has the appearance of, the skin of a peach.
PEN:
polyethylene naphthalate: a high performance thermoplastic polyester. The synthesis of PEN is analogous to that of conventional polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET). Its modulus is claimed to be five times that of nylon, 2.5 times t
Permeability:
the ability of a textile to allow air or water vapour to pass through it.
Permittivity:
the volumetric flow rate of water per unit of cross-sectional area, per unit head, under laminar flow conditions, in the normal direction through a geotextile.
PET:
polyethylene terephthalate, the most common form of polyester.
PHA:
polyhydroxyalkanoate.
Phase-change materials (PCMs):
materials which change their state of matter, usually from solid to a liquid or vice versa. PCMs are often used in textiles which are intended for sport and exercise to help maintain comfort and constant body temperature.
PHB:
polyhydroxybutyrate.
Pheromone:
a chemical substance secreted externally by certain animals which affects the behaviour or physiology of other animals of the same species.
Photovoltaic technology:
a technology used to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
PHV:
polyhydroxyvalerate.
Pick:
a single weft thread in a fabric, as woven.
Pigment dyeing:
a process used to give garments a characteristic "washed out" or weathered look, while offering good light- and wash-fastness and reasonable crocking (wet-rub) resistance. By their nature, pigments produce garments which change and age over time as they a
Pill, pilling:
the entangling of fibres during washing, dry cleaning, testing or in wear to form balls or pills which stand proud of the surface of a fabric and which are of such density that light will not pass through them (so that they cast a shadow).
Pima:
a type of long-staple cotton.
Piqué:
a woven cloth showing rounded cords in the weft direction with sunken lines between them.
Piqué (knitted):
a jersey fabric with a special pattern of loop formation.
Piqué (woven):
a woven cloth showing rounded cords in the weft
PLA:
polylactic acid—a synthetic polymer formed from plant-based material and used as the starting material for a new range of fibres.
Placement print:
a fabric printed with a single motif, such as a portrait head, for display on a particular part of a garment, as opposed to a fabric printed with a repeat pattern.
Plating:
a process for making a knitted fabric from two yarns of different properties-one on the face of the fabric, the other on the back.
Plied yarns:
see folded yarn.
Plissé:
a French term, meaning pleated, which is applied to fabrics with a puckered or crinkled effect.
PLM:
see product life cycle management.
Ply:
the number of layers in a fabric. Also used to denote the number of yarns twisted together to form a single thread or yarn.
Ply yarn:
see folded yarn.
Pointelle:
a form of knit stitch resembling lace.
Polar fleece:
a fleece-back jersey fabric.
Polar solvent:
a solvent containing molecules in which there is an uneven distribution of electrons and therefore a permanent dipole moment.
Polyamide:
another word for nylon.
Polyamide salt:
the substance which is polymerised to produce nylon polymer. Polyamide salt is formed when adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine react to neutralise each other.
Polyester:
a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many types of polyester, the term is used commonly to refer to polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Polymer:
a long molecule made up from many smaller repeat molecules; the following polymers are the main ones used to make synthetic fibres: polyacrylic; polyamide (nylon); polyester; polypropylene; and polyurethane.
Polymerisation:
the process of linking small chemical units together to form larger molecules.
Polymerise:
the process of linking small chemical units together to form larger molecules.
Polynosic:
a type of cellulosic fibre characterised by a high wet modulus of elasticity. When sanded or raised, fabrics made from this fibre have the soft, peachskin surface found in washed silks.
Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT):
a polymer used in the manufacture of fibres and textiles with stretch properties, including those developed by Toray Industries and known as 3GT.
Pongee:
a lustrous lightweight plain-weave fabric, originally woven in silk.
Popcorn:
a fabric which has undergone a special finishing technique to give it a texture resembling fluffy kernels of popcorn.
Poplin:
a plain-weave cotton-type fabric with weftways ribs and a high warp sett.
Powered exoskeleton:
a powered mobile machine which consists primarily of a skeleton-like framework worn by a person together with a power supply which supplies at least part of the activation energy required for limb movement.
POY:
see partially oriented yarn.
Precursor:
raw materials used in a controlled pyrolysis process to make carbon fibres.
Preform:
an object which has been subjected to preliminary, usually incomplete shaping or moulding before undergoing complete or final processing.
Prepolymer:
a polymer of relatively low molecular weight—usually intermediate between that of the monomer and the final polymer or resin—which may be mixed with compounding additives and which is capable of being hardened by further polymerisation during or after a f
Prepreg:
an assembly of fibres or fabrics which have been pre-impregnated with the components of a resin. The resin components are then polymerised, or cured, by heating to produce a composite which has the required permanent shape and strength.
Prince of Wales:
a large-scale check, typified by a reversing effect ground with an overcheck.
Product life cycle management (PLM):
a tool used by apparel companies to integrate design, sourcing and manufacturing activities across the supply chain.
Product-specific safeguard:
(see also safeguard, textile safeguard) a measure previously available to a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) enabling it to protect its market from import surges of particular products from China which caused market disruption. The measure was applicable to any type of product (industrial and agricultural goods) and remained available for use by WTO members until December 11, 2013.
Progressive bundle system:
a system traditionally employed in apparel production where the task of assembling the garment is broken down into small operations, and bundles of work are progressed down the production line through each operation in sequence until the assembly process is complete (see also unit production system).
Protection (geotextiles):
the use of a geotextile as a localised stress reduction layer to prevent or reduce damage to a given surface or layer. This refers mainly to the protection of geomembranes from damage due to sharp rock particles or other materials in landfill applications.
Provençal:
small stylised florals typical of the Provence region of France.
PTA:
purified terephthalic acid, used in the manufacture of polyester.
PTFE:
polytetrafluoroethylene.
PTT:
polytrimethylene terephthalate.
Puff rubber printing:
see foam printing.
Pultrusion:
a process for producing continuous lengths of fibre-reinforced composite. Liquid resin, fibre and other additives are pulled through a heated die to form a rigid cured structure. This contrasts with extrusion, in which the ingredients are pushed through the die. The structure emerges from the die in the desired shape and requires no further processing.
Pultrusions:
composites produced by drawing resin-coated filaments through a pressure die.
Puncture resistance (geotextiles):
the extent to which a geotextile is able to withstand or resist the penetration of an object without perforation.
Push-pull fabrics:
bicomponent fabrics composed of a non-absorbent hydrophobic material, usually polyester, on the inside (worn next to the skin) and an absorbent hydrophilic material, usually nylon, on the outside.
PVA:
polyvinyl alcohol.
PVDF:
polyvinyldifluoride.
PVF:
polyvinylfluoride.
Pyrolysed:
see pyrolysis.
Pyrolysis:
a process in chemical compounds are decomposed at high temperatures.
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