Performance characteristics of materials key terms

Hydrophobic

A property of a material that repels water, making it resistant to moisture absorption.

Elasticity

The ability of a fabric to stretch and return to its original shape.

Degradation

The process by which materials deteriorate in quality or performance due to environmental factors.

Color fastness

The ability of a fabric to retain its color when exposed to washing, light, and other environmental conditions.

Moisture-wicking

A property of fabrics that allows them to draw moisture away from the skin to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate.

Tensile strength

The resistance of a material to breaking under tension, indicating how much force a fabric can withstand when pulled.

Durability

The ability of a fabric to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

Resilience

The capacity of a fabric to recover its shape after deformation.