Using composite materials which are reinforced with textile fibers in product design

In recent years, there are many products having the same technical specifications in the market. Because of this; designers wants to create differences in the products view. Products increasingly persnalized and desired has been one of the defining characteristic in the product design. Individuals associate their identity with the product to represent their identity. Material selection is one of the basic parameters to make difference in the products. In this research; material, composite material, composite materials which reinforced with textile fibers and textile fibers in product design are examined together. When it is mentioned about this subjects, also sustainability of composites are defined. Relationship between sustainability and product design are investigated. In the introduction part, the aim and the structure of the thesis are described. Researcher is noted relationship between material and product and importance of interdisciplinary studies in product design. The role and importance of technologic and innovative materials in product design is discussed. After a brief introduction, the researcher continuous with describtion of material, classification of material, relationship between material and product design are discussed with examples. In this section beside introduction of material disciplinary also is mentioned about importance of material selection in product design. Third part is releated with composite materials. Researcher explains what is composite and composite material, classification of composite material, advantages and disadvantages of composite materials. Also in this part it is explained and described composite materials which are reinforced with textile fibers. Today, textiles are is used in a wide variety of fields beyond their conventional use as fabrics. As a result of the interdisciplinary research in textiles intersecting with composite materials science, polymer science and electronic science, high performance fibers have been developed followed by their extended use in construction, aircraft and automobile sectors. The conventional function of textiles is covering and protecting the body from external factors. The advances in textile research and development expanded the function of this material to the extent that artificial veins are made of fibers. Today, named as technical textiles, this material can have high performance qualities such as being waterproof, breathable and anti-bacterial. It can be protective of chemicals and biological organisms as well as being ten times durable than concrete in an eathquake. In the textile engineering literature research subjects and aims include producing fibers and their analysis but there is limited study on the use areas and their impact on everyday life. In this research the use of engineered high performance fibers in innovative consumer products will be portrayed to provide knowledge on how these fibers encounter with everyday people as consumers to improve their lives. The beneficiaries of technical textiles have expanded beyond heavy industries such as aircraft and automobile manufacturers. These materials have also been used in consumer goods although not widely. Designer products with distinct innovative features contain fiber reinforced composites. The use of fiber composites complement the target of market competition of manufacturers as well as satisfying user demand with several positive features to the product. These products vary from chairs to coffee flasks. Their significance is being an interface where enginereed fibers encounter and serve public good through their high performance. That is why this research was necessary to show the dimensions of the impact of textile engineering on product design via fiber reinforced composites. These materials should not be limited to automotive or another big industries because they can be used to improve everyday people's lives the more they are used in consumer products which are the interfaces between textile research in laboratories and users . Although these materials are used in automobiles widely, they are also used in innovative, high-value added consumer goods in product design by designers. Using composite materials in product design has begun in 1940's and has improved day by day. Questing of material by designers is clearly seen in this thesis. Sustainability in product design is defined. In recent years because of globalization, sustainability becomes being important in our life. In this part relationship between sustainability and using composite materials in product design is examined by researcher. Following this theorotical part, high performance fibers; carbon and glass fibres which are used frequently in many sectors because of their superior performance. Because of their characteristics, besides being widely used in industry these fibers have attracted the attention of product designers. In this study the use of carbon and glass fibres are examined through a selection of innovative products which have received awards in featured international design competitions such as RedDot and IF. Competitions were scanned and products which contains textile fibers reinforced composite materials are shown in tables. In this tables there are years and features of products. Using this table, the datas analyzed in three section. Firstly it was gained increase and decrease chart by year. When this chart was created, purpose is to shown distribution of composite material which is reinforced with textile fibers in product design.. Also some decreases is observed and their reasons are discussed. Secondly, it was used categorization. Some categories were determined such as sport, health, interior, furniture etc. The aim of this research is these materials can be used in which product by designers. Last research method is determining of products features which is releated with composite material's which is reinforced with textile fibers. Thus, it was aimed to recognize materials and features by the designers. At the same time with an interview subject was studied to enrich. Finally based on the data gathered from the interview and competitions , the importance of interdisciplinary study is discussed and designers should acknowladge of these materials. Product design is not a linear process. Therefore, industrial producut designers must be in collaboration with different areas. Textile engineering is one of the these disciplines.This study is advantagesfor both disciplines. For design disciplines, itis an important work to introduce new materials. This study should be situated in the textile science product manufacturers of the materials which have been produced as well as engineers will have extensive knowledge about the transfer.