Introduction

This book highlights some aspects of processing, microstructure, and properties of materials in fibrous form, or from fibers, with wide applications for textile-oriented and technically oriented advanced products. Emphasis is placed on the physical and chemical nature of the processes, describing the behavior and properties of the investigated materials. The chapters describing the state and expected trends in selected areas summarize not only the published works but also the original results and the critical evaluation and generalization of basic knowledge.

Focus and Development

In addition to the preparation of materials with new effects, attention is focused on the development of new testing principles, the construction of special devices, and metrological aspects. Research activities cover all types of fibers with a clear shift toward synthetic and specialty fibers for non-clothing applications. This is in line with the current development trend in the field of high-performance fibers, mainly for use as reinforcement in various composite materials and functional fibers for smart textiles.

Scope and Purpose

The area of fibrous materials covered in this book is indeed very large. Compressing the basic available information in a reasonable space was therefore a difficult task. The goal in writing this book was to provide a broad area of different results so that the book is suitable for anyone who is generally interested in fibrous materials and their applications for various purposes.