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Glossary Of Fabric Terms [18]

E E-textiles Fabrics that enable digital components (including small computers), and electronics to be embedded in them. Also known as smart garments, smart clothing, electronic textiles, smart textiles, or smart fabrics.
Egyptian cotton Extra long staple cotton varieties produced in Egypt and used by luxury and upmarket brands worldwide.
Eisengarn A light-reflecting, strong, waxed-cotton thread. It was invented and manufactured in Germany in the mid-19th century, but is now most well known for its use in cloth woven for the tubular-steel chairs designed by Marcel Breuer while he was a teacher at the Bauhaus design school. The yarn is also known as Glanzgarn ('gloss' or 'glazed' yarn).
Elastane Also known as Spandex and Lycra, it is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers. When introduced in 1962, it revolutionized many areas of the clothing industry. Because of its elasticity and strength, spandex has been incorporated into a wide range of garments, such as activewear, dance belts, gloves, and hosiery.
Elastic Modulus Elastic modulus (also known as the tensile modulus, or Young's modulus) is a number that measures an object or substance's resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a force is applied to it.
Elasticity The capacity of a stressed textile to recover its original size and shape immediately after removal of the stress.
Elastomers Polymers with viscoelasticity and very weak inter-molecular forces. The term usually refers to rubber like solids with elastic properties.
Electrical Conductivity Material's ability to conduct an electric current.
Electronic Data Interchange or EDI An electronic communication method that provides standards for exchanging data via any electronic means. By adhering to the same standard, two different companies or organizations, even in two different countries, can electronically exchange documents (such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and many others).
Elongation Property of a fiber related to how much it will stretch or lengthen, before breaking. it does not imply that the fiber will return to its original length.
Embossing A technique in which images and patterns are created on the surface of a product through the application of heat and pressure. It is the creative impression of a design, decoration, or pattern on any surface. During the process of embossing, the surface of the embossed material raises adding a new dimension to the object. Embossing can be done on various materials like paper, metals, textiles etc.
Embroidery The handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. Today, embroidery is most often seen on caps, hats, coats, blankets, dress shirts, denim, stockings, and golf shirts. Embroidery is available with a wide variety of thread or yarn color. The art of embroidery has been found worldwide and several early examples have been found. Works in China have been dated to 5th to 3rd Century BC.
Ends per inch (EPI) The number of warp threads per inch of woven fabric. In general, the higher the ends per inch, the finer the fabric is.
Epinglé fabric A type of velvet fabric woven on a wire loom or épinglé loom. The épinglé velvet is specific by the fact that both loop pile and cut pile can be integrated into the same fabric. The art of épinglé weaving in Europe originates from Lucca (Italy) and later Venice and Genova. Actually the term 'Genova velvet' is still in use.
Epinglé loom A type of weaving machine whereby steel rods are inserted in a top shed which is formed over the bottom shed in which the weft is inserted. The steel rods are inserted into the fabric every second or third pick by a separate mechanism that is synchronized with the weaving motion. The same mechanism also extracts the rods from the fabric . If the rod carries a cutting blade at the tip the warps that are woven over the rods are cut, creating a cut pile effect. In case the rod has no blade, then the warp ends from a loop pile. Alternating cut and loop wires create cut and loop pile in the fabric. This weaving technology is used for weaving velvets for furnishing and apparel applications.
Even-weave Any woven textile where the warp and weft threads are of the same size.
Exhaust dyeing In exhaust dyeing, all the material contacts all the dye liquor and the fibre absorbs the dyes. The dye concentration in the bath therefore gradually decreases. The degree of dye bath exhaustion is therefore a function of time describes the rate and extent of the dyeing process. For a single dye, the exhaustion is defined as the mass of the dye taken up by the material divided by the total initial mass of dye in the bath.
Eyelet A small grommet, that is a ring or edge strip inserted into a hole through thin material, typically a sheet of textile fabric, sheet metal and/or composite of carbon fiber, wood or honeycomb. Grommets are generally flared or collared on each side to keep them in place, and are often made of metal, plastic, or rubber. An eyelet is used on shoes, tarps and sails for lacing purposes.