FTTS-FA-010 Far Infrared Textiles

Far-infrared Ray is one band of the solar electromagnetic light-wave ranging in wavelength from 3μm to 1000μm. Far Infrared Textiles are made through adding special nano- or micron-sized ceramic powder to polymer before spinning.

Far-infrared materials can also be added during the dyeing or finishing treatment process of an ordinary fabric. After absorbing sunlight or heat from human body, Far Infrared Textiles will transform the energy into far-infrared with a wavelength of 4 to 14 μm and pass it back to human body. Far-infrared with a wavelength of 4 to 14 μm is known as the "light of life" or “biogenetic ray” and is capable of invigorating human physiology. Fabrics with far-infrared function can effectively achieve the purpose of thermal retention and are therefore ideal warm-keeping materials for activities in high-mountain or snowy areas.

Current technology in Taiwan for Far-infrared Textiles delivers an average far infrared emissivity of at least 0.85 and a temperature variation of at least 0.5℃. The test method for these textiles is not yet regulated internationally. Therefore, Taiwan Textile Federation simply uses domestically acceptable methods to test these fabrics.

This criterion is applicable to textiles except fibrous products and semi-products for medical use.

The far infrared textile processing includes mixing of raw materials, coating, lamination and submerging. As products made of mixing of raw materials deliver the same durability of the fiber, the wash-resistance test would not necessary. For products come of coating, lamination and submerging processes will have to have the 10 times wash-resistance test based on AATCC 135 (1) (III) (A) iii prior to conducting the performance test. The performance test is conducted in ambient temperature and the criteria are given as below: