CHAPTER 14: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF FABRIC SUBSTRATE FORMATION

Abstract

Contributed by 
Calista Oduchukwu Nwosu and Uchenna R. Dike 
INTRODUCTION 
Substrate refers to the underlying material or fabric on which various treatments or coatings are applied. In other words, it is a foundation or base upon which the desired functional or decorative elements are added. In agreement with this definition, Wild, 2016 penned, A substrate is defined as the primary material upon which 
other materials are applied.  In the case of fabric, a substrate is the base cloth upon which ink, paint or pigment are applied to create all of the glorious printed fabrics available to us today. The choice of substrate plays a crucial role in determining the final characteristic and performance of the textile product. It can greatly 
impact factors such as durability, comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. The substrate affects the properties of the fabric such as strength, durability and drape. The substrate used in textiles can be a wide range of materials including natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool, and linen as well as synthetic materials such as polyesters, nylon, acrylic etc. The substrate selection is based on intended application, desired properties and manufacturing process involved. Once a substrate is chosen, it undergoes various treatments and finishes to enhance its properties or impact specific functionalities. These treatments can include dyeing, coating, printing, laminating and lots more Textile substrates are formed from yarns or fibre webs by several techniques including weaving, knitting, tufting, and nonwoven formation. In addition, composites of textile substrates are formed by methods such as adhesive bonding, the formation of back coatings on fabric substrates, and flocking.