Contract Textile Terms Glossary

A AATCC: Abbreviation for the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, the world's largest society devoted to the advancement of textile chemists, particularly in textile wet processing. AATCC publishes a Technical Manual of test methods divided into six categories: Biological Properties, Colorfastness, Dyeing Properties, Evaluation Procedures, Identification and Analysis (fiber and chemical), and Physical Properties, with heavy emphasis on color-related textile properties. www.aatcc.org abrasion resistance: Ability of a fiber, yarn, or fabric to maintain physical properties or appearance despite surface friction. Such friction may result from rubbing against another material or against itself. Abrasion resistance is an important element in the durability of fabric. Common methods for testing fabric abrasion resistance include Wyzenbeek, Martindale, and Taber test methods. See also durability and pilling. acetate: A fiber manufactured by treating purified cellulose refined from cotton linters or wood pulp. The resulting flakes are dissolved in acetone to make a spinning solution that can be made into continuous filament or staple fiber. Acetate fabrics are wrinkle , shrink , moth , and mildew-resistant and have a luxurious feel and appearance and excellent drapabilty. acrylic: A manufactured fiber composed of at least 85% acrylonitrile units; acrylonitrile is a long-chain, synthetic polymer. Acrylic fibers are either dry or wet spun. Acrylic is resilient, quick-drying, and resistant to sunlight, oil, and chemicals. ACT: Acronym for the Association for Contract Textiles, a not-for-profit trade organization made up primarily of companies that supply fabric to the contract interior design community. ACT Performance Guidelines: In order to make fabric specification easier, ACT member companies adopted a body of popular tests that measure important performance criteria for fabrics in the contract interiors market (abrasion, flame resistance, wet and dry crocking, etc.). The results of these specific tests are represented by graphic symbols used on ACT member company fabric samples to indicate that the fabric performs to contract standards for its recommended application. To see specific guidelines, http://www.contracttextiles.org/main.php?view=5_1 Insert Icons angora: The soft hairs of the Angora goat or the Angora rabbit, often blended with wool for soft hand and added luxury. animal fiber: Fibers of animal origin such as wool, alpaca, angora, camel hair, horsehair, silk, mohair, and cashmere. antimicrobial finish: Chemical treatment applied to a fabric to combat growth of disease-causing microbes, general bacteria, infectious diseases, and various targeted organisms. ASTM: Abbreviation for the American Society for Testing and Materials, a standards-development organization that serves as an open, consensus-based forum for the development of international standards. Committees developing the standards are composed of producers, engineers, academics, consumers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders. In the ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Volumes 7.01 and 7.02 contain the textile test methods and related standards. www.astm.org Avora® FR: A registered trademark of INVISTA (formally KoSa) for an inherently flame-resistant polyester fiber commonly used in healthcare and hospitality applications. www.avora.com