Technical textiles are being used increasingly for the replacement of traditional materials in challenging applications, and their end uses are becoming increasingly diverse. As a result, manufacturers of needles and threads have been faced with the need to develop highly specified products, according to Issue No 93 of Technical Textile Markets from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Needles must be able to withstand the physical demands of the stitching processes used to manufacture technical textile products, and threads must maintain their integrity in the extreme environments in which many technical textile products are used.

In order to cater to the requirements of the industry, many manufacturers of sewing needles tailor the geometry of the needles they produce to the demands of the technical textile which is being sewn. They are also applying special coatings to sewing needles in order to improve their performance and enhance production efficiency.

For instance, Organ Needle's NY2 series of sewing needles helps to counteract the problem of skipped stitching. And in Groz-Beckert's MR sewing needle, the risk of needle deflection has been reduced through the use of a special blade and scarf geometry. Schmetz's Serv 7 sewing needle has a blade with a conical reinforcement which increases needle stability and helps to prevent the needle from deflecting.

In addition, titanium nitride coatings are used to strengthen the needle, and anti-adhesive coatings are applied to prevent substances from adhering to the needle during sewing.

Sewing threads which are designed to be used in technical textile applications must possess a number of important characteristics in order to ensure that they maintain their integrity under extreme conditions. Such characteristics include high strength and flexibility, as well as resistance to chemicals, high temperatures, fungi and mildew.

One example of such threads is Amann's K-tech range of threads made from tow spun para-aramid fibres. Another is Gore Tenara sewing thread by WL Gore & Associates. This is made using ePTFE fibre, making it highly resistant to UV light, extreme weather conditions and chemicals. Also, glass fibre is increasingly being used to manufacture sewing threads in order to provide resistance to extremely high temperatures.

In the future, the proliferation of technical textiles will give rise to further opportunities for introducing greater innovation, higher quality and added value to needles and threads used in the manufacture of such textiles.

"Sewing needles and threads for technical textiles" was published by the global business information company Textiles Intelligence in issue No 93 of Technical Textile Markets.

Other reports published in the same issue include: "Editorial: Techtextil 2013 -- a showcase for breadth, diversity and innovation in technical textiles"; "Product developments and innovations"; "Temperature control fabrics: optimising wearer comfort"; "Global technical textiles business update"; and "Statistics: global and regional trends in technical textile production".

Technical Textile Markets is published quarterly by Textiles Intelligence. Each issue provides an independent and worldwide perspective on the global technical textiles industry.

A year's printed subscription to Technical Textile Markets costs £1,015 (UK), Euro1,795 (Europe, Middle East or Africa) or US$2,350 (Americas or Asia Pacific). An electronic supplement is also available. Single issues are available on request.

For further information, please contact Belinda Carp at Textiles Intelligence, Alderley House, Wilmslow, SK9 1AT, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)1625 536136; Fax: +44 (0)1625 536137; Email: info@textilesintelligence.com

For press copies and editorial enquiries, please contact Robin Anson at Textiles Intelligence. Tel: +44 (0)1625 536136. Fax: +44 (0)1625 536137. Email: editorial@textilesintelligence.com