Automotive Textiles

Industrial textiles are used in car interiors to provide comfort and aesthetic value while also meeting safety and durability requirements. These materials include seat fabrics, headliners, door panel coverings, and acoustic insulation. They are made from a variety of fibers such as polyester, nylon, and natural fibers, and are often treated with special coatings to enhance their performance and durability. The use of industrial textiles in car interiors helps to improve the overall driving experience and increase the value of the vehicle.

Industrial textiles are a critical component in the manufacturing of car airbags. These materials are chosen for their strength, durability and ability to withstand high temperature and pressure. They are used to make the fabric envelopes that contain the inflators, and are also used in the production of the airbag itself. These textiles are made of various fibers including nylon, polyester and aramid, that allow airbags to deploy rapidly, safely and effectively.

Industrial textiles are an important component in the production of seat belts in automotive industry. They are chosen for their strength, durability, and ability to withstand forces during a collision. They are used to make the webbing, which is the strap material that secures the occupant. These webbing materials are usually made of polyester, nylon, aramid and other synthetic fibers, that provide the necessary strength and stretch to protect occupants during a collision. The global market for industrial textiles in the automotive industry is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, as the use of these materials continues to expand and evolve.

Flat wovens and warp knits carry seat covers, and their abrasion, light fastness and fogging behaviour are tested to specifications that are stricter than most furniture standards. Airbag fabric and seat belt webbing are woven products where a single flaw is a safety issue. More in Woven Fabrics and Knitted Fabrics.

Nonwovens sit in headliners, boot linings, wheel arch liners, cabin and engine filters and acoustic insulation. They are also the largest route for recycled fibre into a car, because the part is not visible and the specification allows it. More in Nonwoven Fabrics.

Glass and carbon reinforced parts save weight in body panels, battery enclosures and structural components, which directly extends the range of an electric vehicle. Cycle time and repairability are what still limit wider use. More in Composites.

Coatings and laminates add wear resistance, soil release and flame retardancy to seat and trim fabrics, and they bond foam to face fabric. In electric vehicles the same layers are increasingly used to manage heat and sound. More in Coated Textiles.

Use the Manufacturers Directory A–Z or the Equipment Guide. Partner profiles carry direct contact details; other listings link to the company website.

Yes. Ask the Expert puts your question to a field expert active in Automotive Textiles. The answer comes back to you by e-mail; when we publish it, other readers benefit too.