Chintz

The term chintz (English from Hindi ) originally referred to a wax- coated, thin, shiny cotton fabric in a plain weave. The chintz is now used primarily as a decorative fabric. Today, synthetic resins and Friktionskalander be used to achieve such a high gloss effect in better durability of the fabric.

History

India has a very long tradition of cotton cultivation. Already in the 16th century, the Indian regions Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat and Coromandel were centers of cotton processing. A special importance came to Gujarat, whose cotton products have been traded on various trade routes to the centers of the Middle East. By 1600, cotton was while still a luxury item which has not less valued than silk. Due to the high value was the high labor input during processing. Intensive work was mainly removing the seed pods and the laborious carding the very short compared to wool and silk fibers. To gain a pound workable cotton threads, a use of 13 working days was necessary. In order to gain a comparable amount of silk, whereas only six working days were necessary, while you needed for two to five linen and wool for one to two days. Before 1750 English spinners were not to, weaving able cotton threads that were sufficiently strong to produce pure cotton fabric. Pure cotton fabrics were manufactured only in India. The British East India Company made ​​in England in the 17th century, especially popular chintz, which is very different in thickness and coloring ability of wool. Towards the end of the 17th century chintz had become popular already in the affluent English middle class as a clothing fabric, as this substance resembled the most expensive silks, which were worn by the aristocracy.

Ingredients and processing

Chintz is now a linen weave, tightly woven fabric made ​​of cotton, polyester or blended yarns and gets its strong luster by calendering, so the rolling and smoothing under high pressure and at high temperature. Chintz is designed solid color or traditional especially with floral motifs. Chintz looks similar to silk, but tends to wrinkle like linen and is in its simple form is not machine washable. Therefore Meanwhile, blend fabric, polyester- based products are prepared, which are washable, but retain the typical chintz luster. For this, the fabric is impregnated with synthetic resin from the group of thermosetting resins, pre-dried, and finally cured frictioned.