The electrical conductivity of a textile yarn depends on its cross-section and material composition. Whether it is a yarn or a fabric, the electrical resistance can vary from ohms to kilo-ohms. Value-added properties include antistatic, magnetic shielding, heating, current transmission, sensing.

For example, a yarn used for power transmission must be highly conductive and have a matched cross-section to avoid discharging the battery. For an antistatic fabric, however, low conductivity is sufficient. For sensors, loadability and variation of conductivity are required.

To date, many areas still need to be explored, thanks to the properties and possibilities that electrically conductive fibers add to textiles, which by definition are flexible and soft structures with unlimited applications and are everywhere. Many projects are now in a development/prototype stage. Imattec has a high level of expertise in fiber materials with electrical conductivity and in the transformation and integration process in the textile product.

• Stainless steel, copper, silver, aluminum etc., pure or coated on polymer fibers, in various forms, are materials used to solve the specific problems.

• Yarn structure also has an importance. Spun yarn or filament have an impact on softness, feel, aspect, price, performance, durability etc.

Metallic fibers offer a wide range of possibilities and can be integrated into any type of textile. They can be used in pure form or blended with other high performance materials. This is usually the case in the industrial market, where high thermal performance is sought in the energy, metallurgical or glass industries, for example. Depending on the speed, temperature, moving masses, implementation constraints, the parameters can be adjusted to increase the performances or the lifetime of the contact products. For example, a crimp, a twist, a fiber length, fiber section or an alloy is more suitable for one application than for another.

• Imattec designs and manufactures, among others, customized solutions in stainless steel (different grades) and also in other materials such as metals, aramid, PBO, PTFE, PPS.

• The product range includes staple fiber, tape, yarn, fabric (woven, knitted, non-woven), finished products (conveyor belt, woven belt, rope, braid, hose (woven, knitted, braided) and felt.