Area of Study: Properties and Performance of Textiles

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How do innovations in fibres, yarns, fabrics and finishes create new performance possibilities for textile end uses?

Innovations and emerging textile technologies in fibres, yarns, fabrics and finishes, including smart and technical textiles, and how these innovations extend the performance and end use of textile items

Innovations and emerging textile technologies: smart and technical textiles, microfibres, nanofinishes and performance fabrics, and how each innovation extends the performance and end use of a textile item.

6 min read →

How is the performance of a fabric tested and evaluated against the requirements of its end use?

The testing and evaluation of textile properties and performance, including strength, abrasion, colourfastness, shrinkage, flammability and care testing, and how test results are used to judge a fabric against the requirements of its end use

Testing and evaluating textiles: strength, abrasion, colourfastness, shrinkage, pilling, flammability and care tests, and how results are used to judge a fabric against the requirements of its end use.

7 min read →

How do yarn structure and fabric construction methods affect the properties and performance of a fabric?

The structure of yarns and the main methods of fabric construction (weaving, knitting and non-woven), and how each affects the appearance, properties and performance of the resulting fabric

Yarn structure and the main fabric construction methods, weaving, knitting and non-woven, and how each shapes the appearance, properties and performance of the resulting fabric.

6 min read →

How do fabric finishes and colouration techniques modify the appearance and performance of a fabric?

The purpose and effect of mechanical and chemical fabric finishes and of colouration techniques such as dyeing and printing, and how they change the appearance, properties and performance of a fabric

Mechanical and chemical fabric finishes and colouration techniques such as dyeing and printing, and how each modifies the appearance, properties and performance of a fabric.

6 min read →

How do the properties of natural and manufactured fibres determine their suitability for a textile item?

The classification, structure and physical and chemical properties of natural and manufactured fibres, and how those properties affect the performance and end use of a textile item

Fibre classification, structure and the physical and chemical properties of natural and manufactured fibres, and how those properties shape the performance and end use of a textile item.

6 min read →