Spacer textile

Abstract

A spacer textile with fire retardant properties is disclosed. The textile has a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an interlayer comprising a plurality of polyetherimide (PEI) filaments interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. Preferably, the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are spaced apart by the interlayer. A method of making such a spacer textile is also disclosed. The spacer textile is preferably knitted, especially warp knitted. Also disclosed are garments containing the spacer textile.

Description

[0001] SPACER TEXTILE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to spacer textiles, methods of making such spacer textiles and garments or products incorporating such spacer textiles.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Spacer textiles typically comprise two separate, optionally spaced apart fabric layers connected by relatively resilient (i.e. relatively stiff, resisting compression) filaments (e.g. monofilaments) extending between the two fabric layers; some spacer textiles have multifilament or spun yams extending between the fabric layers. Relatively resilient filaments interconnecting the two fabric layers provide a three dimensional quality to the textile (since the fabric layers are spaced apart) and also provide a degree of compressibility and resilience perpendicular to the surface of the textile. Spacer textiles are currently used as replacements for conventional foam materials such as polyurethane. Further advantages of spacer textiles are that they offer enhanced air and moisture permeability compared to foams which makes spacer textiles more desirable than foam materials in shoes, protective and other garments and other items worn close the body. Generally, spacer textiles are produced using polyester or nylon.

[0006] WO-A-2010 / 133877 discloses a knitted fabric comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pliable threads having a predetermined length, the respective ends of the pliable threads being stitched to the first and second layers thereby connecting the first and second layers.

[0007] Spacer textiles made of polyester and / or nylon are not suitable in some uses, in particular in the transport and in some protective clothing fields, where fire retardancy is important.

[0008] Fire resistant fabrics are produced for use in applications including furnishing (e.g. bedding), upholstery, mattresses, panel fabrics, aviation / aerospace, geo-textile, construction, and personal protective garments or equipment (e.g. in the fire service or the military). Fire resistant fabrics are usually formed of natural or synthetic fibres treated with fire retarding chemicals. Unfortunately, such treated fabric often has a limited wear life, and fire retarding chemicals may release dangerous fumes when heated. Fabrics treated with fire retarding chemicals may not retain their mechanical properties at higher temperatures, compromising the structures in which they are incorporated, or exposing other materials which may act as fuel sources in a fire. An alternative to chemically treated fire-resistant fabrics is to use inherently fire resistant yam in the production of the fabrics.

[0009] There have been attempts to provide fire retardant and high-temperature resistant fabrics.

[0010] GB-A-2568539 discloses a knitted fabric having a first fabric layer comprising a silica-based yarn with a core of a silica-based material. WO-A-2012 / 153131 discloses spacer textiles comprising a first and a second fabric layer with filaments of poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) connecting the layers.

[0011] There is still a need, however, to provide improved fire retardant spacer fabrics.

[0012] It is an aim of the present invention to address such a need.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention accordingly provides, in a first aspect, a spacer textile comprising, a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

[0015] Surprisingly, such a spacer textile has significantly enhanced fire retardancy compared to known spacer textiles and so finds use in areas requiring thermal barrier properties. This has great advantages especially in, for example, the airline industry, because spacer textiles are typically much lighter than foam material with similar resilience. A further advantage of the spacer textile of the invention is that upon high heat the interlayer is resistant to melting or dripping, has a low smoke toxicity and a relatively low loss on ignition.

[0016] Polyetherimide (PEI) (also known as poly (bisphenol A-co-4-nitrophthalic anhydride-co-1,3- phenylenediamine) is a condensation polymer derived from bifunctional carboxylic anhydrides and primary diamines, more particularly bisphenol A and phthalimide subunits, which may be of formula:

[0017] PEI has high heat resistance making it difficult to ignite and produces low smoke toxicity, and loss on ignition (LOI) of e.g. 47%. The glass transition temperature of PEI may be about 217°C. Other properties of PEI include relatively high modulus, relatively high dimensional stability (water and heat) and relatively high infrared transparency.

[0018] Generally, the interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide may be formed of filaments each of which is a portion of the filament provided from a roll or from rolls of indefinite length. Thus, a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer may optionally be provided as a plurality of portions of a filament, each portion having (opposing) first and second ends being stitched respectively to the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, thereby connecting the first and second fabric layers.

[0019] Preferably, the first fabric layer comprises a flame retardant (FR) polymer.

[0020] Preferably, the second fabric layer comprises a flame retardant (FR) polymer.

[0021] Optionally, the first fabric layer and / or the second fabric layer comprise meta-aramid, paraaramid, polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyetherimide (PEI), basalt, glass, quartz, modacrylic, FR Viscose, FR Lyocell, FR Polyester, FR Nylon, ceramic, wool, silica, or mixtures thereof.

[0022] In one aspect, the spacer textile may comprise, a first fabric layer comprising polyetherimide (PEI), a second fabric layer comprising polyetherimide (PEI), and an interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

[0023] An advantage of such a textile is that fire retardancy is excellent and recycling is easier and less expensive since the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer and the interlayer comprise the same polymer: PEI.

[0024] Suitably, the first fabric layer and / or second fabric layer is / are formed of yarn and the yam comprises spun yam, monofilament yarn and / or multifilament yam. Optionally, the plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide comprise spun yam, monofilament yarn, multifilament yarn and / or a combination thereof.

[0025] Preferably, the plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide comprise polyetherimide monofilament yarn.

[0026] The plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide may comprise polyetherimide multifilament yarn.

[0027] The plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) may comprise both polyetherimide monofilament yam and polyetherimide multifilament yarn. Optionally, the interlayer may further comprise meta-aramid, para-aramid, polybenzimidazole (PBI), basalt, glass, quartz, modacrylic, FR Viscose, FR Lyocell, FR Polyester, FR Nylon, ceramic, wool, silica, or mixtures thereof. The additional components of the interlayer may comprise yam and the yarn may comprise spun yarn, monofilament yarn and / or multifilament yarn

[0028] The interlayer may be resilient (i.e. being relatively stiff, resisting compression) so that it tends to space apart the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. This may be achieved by the interlayer comprising monofilament yarn (e.g. polyetherimide monofilament yarn and / or monofilament yarn comprising one or more additional components, e.g. multifilament yam) which may have some degree of stiffness. The interlayer may comprise other yarns if needed for the intended use, for example multi-filament or spun yarns extending between the fabric layers, and optionally interconnecting the layers.

[0029] Preferably, the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are spaced apart by the interlayer. The space between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer may be in the range 0.01 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.1 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.5 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.7 mm to 250 mm, optionally 1 mm to 250 mm, optionally 1 mm to 200 mm, optionally 1 mm to 150 mm, optionally 1 mm to 100 mm, optionally 1 mm to 50 mm.

[0030] In some applications (e.g. aerospace), the space may be about 1 to 8 mm for vertically arranged textiles. In some applications (e.g. aerospace), the space may be about 4 to 12 mm for horizontally arranged textiles (e.g. in seating).

[0031] The spacer textile may have first and second fabric layers of various forms depending upon the intended use. Consequently, the first and / or the second fabric layers may be independently selected from a relatively open structure (e.g. mesh) or a relatively closed structure. Closed structures are particularly useful where optimal fire retardancy is required e.g as a barrier / blocker, and / or in padding for e.g. upholstery where the upholstery textile should preferably be relatively smooth. Mesh finds particular use where increased air flow is beneficial, for example in garments (such as shoes and protective clothing).

[0032] The first fabric layer and the second fabric layer may have the same or similar patterns or may differ. Thus, the first fabric layer may be patterned, optionally having a mesh pattern; and the second fabric layer may be patterned, optionally having a mesh pattern.

[0033] Preferably, the spacer textile comprises a knitted spacer textile, more preferably the spacer textile may comprise a warp knitted spacer textile, i.e. the spacer textile may be warp knitted.

[0034] The spacer textile may further comprise a resin (e.g. for handle assist), a softener an antimicrobial composition, a dye, an infra-red reflective material, and / or a fire-retardant composition.

[0035] Generally, the interlayer may comprise 15 weight % to 75 weight % of the spacer textile.

[0036] Optionally, the first fabric layer may comprise 10 weight % to 50 weight % of the spacer textile. Optionally, the second fabric layer may comprise 10 weight % to 50 weight % of the spacer textile.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention may provide a spacer textile comprising, a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an interlayer comprising a plurality of polyetherimide (PEI) monofilaments interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

[0038] The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a method of making a spacer textile, the method comprising, forming a first fabric layer, forming a second fabric layer, connecting the first layer and the second layer with an interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide.

[0039] The method may be a knitting method.

[0040] The knitting method may preferably be a warp knitting method, preferably Raschel warp knitting. Generally, the spacer textile according to the present invention will be made on a two needle bed Raschel machine.

[0041] The gauge of the knitting machine may be generally any suitable gauge and depends on the use to which the spacer textile is to be put, However, generally the gauge of the knitting machine will be 8 or higher (e.g. 8 to 28 gauge), preferably 12 or higher (e.g. 12 to 28 gauge). The method may further comprise one or more steps selected from stenter heatset, beam scour, pad scour, erbatec scour, thies, jet scour, jig scour, and stenter dry.

[0042] Spacer textiles according to the first aspect find uses in many areas including (but not limited to) garments, aerospace seating, aerospace interiors, military garments and / or equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), automotive seating and interiors, construction, geotextiles, healthcare, childcare and nursery, apparel and sports.

[0043] Thus, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a product selected from the group consisting of a garment, aerospace seating, aerospace interiors, a military garment, military equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), automotive seating, automotive interior, construction product, geo-textile, apparel, a sports garment, and sports equipment, the product comprising a spacer textile according to the first aspect.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a garment comprising a spacer textile according to the first aspect.

[0045] The various features of aspects of the disclosure as described herein may be used in combination with any other feature in the same or other aspect of the disclosure, if needed with appropriate modification, as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0046] Furthermore, although all aspects of the invention or disclosure preferably “comprise” the features described in relation to that aspect, it is specifically envisaged that they may “consist” or “consist essentially” of those features outlined in the claims.

[0047] In this specification, the words “textile” and “fabric” are used interchangeably unless the context otherwise requires.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 is a photograph in perspective view of a spacer textile of Example A.

[0051] Figure 2 is a photograph of the spacer textile of Example A in cross section.

[0052] Figure 3 is a photograph of a technical front face (first fabric layer) of Example A.

[0053] Figure 4 is a photograph of the cross section of Example A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Figure 1 shows a photograph in perspective view of a spacer textile of Example A. The spacer textile 2 comprises a first fabric layer (technical front face) 4 having an open (mesh) pattern and formed of spun meta-aramid yarn (1 / 40 Nm). Similarly, the second fabric layer (technical back face) 6 is formed of spun meta-aramid yam (1 / 40 Nm) and has the same open pattern as the first fabric layer 4. An interlayer 8 of PEI monofilament yam (120 dtex) is located between the first fabric layer 4 and second fabric layer 6, and interconnects the two layers. The monofilament of PEI is resilient and the interlayer spaces the fabric layer apart (by about 7 mm although other spacing may be used depending on need), and the spacer textile resists compression perpendicular to it surface. The interlayer may be formed of a plurality of portions of monofilament provided from a roll of monofilament of indefinite length. Each portion of monofilament has opposing first and second ends which are stitched respectively to the first fabric layer 4 and second fabric layer 6, thereby connecting the first and second fabric layers (4, 6).

[0055] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the textile of Example A, illustrating the interlayer 8 between the first fabric layer 4 and second fabric layers 6.

[0056] Figure 3 shows the first fabric layer 4 (technical front face) and illustrates the open (mesh) pattern. The (technical back face) second fabric layer 6 has the same pattern.

[0057] Figure 4 also shows a wider cross-section of the textile of Example A illustrating the interlayer 8 between the first fabric layer 4 and second fabric layers 6.

[0058] The disclosure will be further illustrated by the following Examples which describe spacer textiles and methods according to the invention.

[0059] Examples

[0060] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples in which spacer textiles were knitted on a seven guide bar Raschel knitting machine.

[0061] The invention relates to a spacer textile using polyetherimide monofilaments. The spacer textile finds use as a resilient material with fire retardant properties. The structure of the spacer textile is such that two surface constructions (fabric layers) are held apart at a set distance by resilient monofilament yarn. The whole construction is knitted together so the final textile is a complete structure.

[0062] The textile is designed as a knitted spacer with the 3D connecting filler yam comprising polyetherimide (PEI). The textile is designed to achieve a fire retardant structure.

[0063] The textile comprises a technical front face, the interlayer (3D filler of PEI filaments) and technical back face. The terms “front” and “back” are used for convenience.

[0064] Technical Front Face: the technical front face may be formed of any yarn / fabric but preferably inherently fire-retardant material / fabric; in the examples meta-aramid was used but multifilament PEI may also be used; other possible options are basalt, para-aramid, glass, silica, PBI or any other FR polymer in yarn form.

[0065] The yarn polymer does not have to match the technical back or core; but it may do depending on the product end use. The yarn used may be a spun, multi-filament yam or monofilament depending on the design required; these may also range in diameter depending on the weight of the end design required. The dtex of the yarn used for the front face, back face and / or interlayer may be in the range 17 to 700 dtex, optionally in the range 60 - 900 dtex (in particular for the front and / or back face of woven fabrics). The design of the face may take various pattern forms depending on product end use; these may range from relatively open structures (i.e. mesh) or more closed structures (i.e. fabric). They may match the technical back or not, depending on the end use / design / FR performance requirements of the textile. In the case of Example A, a mesh pattern was used on the face using meta-aramid yarn; the pattern and yarn used matched the technical back.

[0066] Interlayer (3D filler): connecting the front and back face are yams made from PEI - poly etherimide; in the case of Example A, a monofilament yarn was used for the purpose to create compression resistance whilst maintaining a thermal barrier. Multifilament or spun yarns may alternatively be used, or in combination with monofilaments, e.g. when compression resistance is not essential. The connecting yam may range in diameter depending on the level of compression required and weight of product. The pattern lapping of the connecting yam may vary depending on the level of compression required. The gap between the textile face and textile back or textile thickness may range between 1 mm to 250 mm; the exact measurement will depend on the end use. PEI - Poly etherimide: has high heat resistance making it difficult to ignite and produces low smoke toxicity Loss of Ignition (LOI) of PEI may be 47%. The glass transition temperature of PEI may be 217°C. Other properties include high modulus, high dimensional stability (water and heat) and high infrared transparency.

[0067] Technical Back Face: the technical back face may be made from any yam / fabric but preferably made from inherently fire-retardant materials; in the Examples meta-aramid was used but multifilament PEI may also be used; other possible options are basalt, para-aramid, glass, silica, PBI or any other FR polymer in yarn form. The yarn polymer does not have to match the technical face or core; but it may do depending on the product end use. The yarn used may be a spun, multi-filament yam or monofilament depending on the design required; these may also range in diameter depending on the weight of the end design required. The design of the back may take various pattern forms depending on product end use; these may range from relatively open structures (i.e. mesh) or more closed structures (i.e. fabric). They may match the technical face or not, depending on the end use / design / FR performance requirements of the product. In the case of Example A, a mesh pattern was used on the back using meta-aramid yarn; the pattern and yarn used matched the technical face.

[0068] The combination of the technical front face, interlayer, and technical back face, as described, results in a highly fire-retardant fabric whereby the core does not melt, or drip.

[0069] Tables 1 and 2, below, indicate the product and knitting specification for Examples A, B and C (see below)

[0070] Table 1

[0071] Table 2

[0072] Tables 3, 4 and 5 indicate the yarn and threading details for Examples A, B and C respectively. The PEI yarns were contract manufactured because they are not commercially available. Table 3

[0073] Table 4

[0074] Table 5

[0075] Table 6 indicates the finishing and processing of the textiles, and Table 7 the textile data for Example A. Table 6

[0076] Table 7

[0077] Fire Retardancy Testing

[0078] The textile was tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 15025:2016 Procedure A - Surface Ignition. The sample was not pre-treated / pre-cleansed before testing.

[0079] Method: BS EN ISO 15025:2016 Procedure A - Surface Ignition

[0080] Flame Application: 10±l seconds.

[0081] Sample Size: 200mm x 160mm Fabric Parameters: Pad scour and heat set

[0082] Results are presented in Table 8, below.

[0083] Results

[0084] Table 8

[0085] Testing Conclusion

[0086] The results from the testing show that the spacer textile according to the invention does not melt or drip when exposed to flame and is therefore suitable for applications where thermal barrier properties are required.

[0087] Aerospace Fire Retardancy Tests

[0088] Methods

[0089] The methods were according to:

[0090] F2 CS 25.853 (A) Arndt 27 App.F pt I (a)(l)(ii) & (b)(4) to FAR / CS 25.853 - Part I - 12-second vertical burn Bunsen burner test, and

[0091] F8 CS 25.853 (D) Arndt 27 App.F Pt V. (a) & (b) to FAR / CS 25.853 - Part V - Smoke Density test (flaming mode).

[0092] These are both standard method as part of the overall FAR / CS 25.853 standard developed for materials used in aircraft cabin and cargo compartments.

[0093] Samples of Example A (mesh / mesh) and Example B (mesh / fabric) were tested using standard methods, summaries of which are set out below.

[0094] Vertical Burn: A sample of pre-determined size (75 x 305mm) is exposed to a vertically orientated flame for a predetermined length of term (i.e. 12 seconds).

[0095] The average burn length should not exceed 8 inches (20.3 cm), the average flame time after removal of the flame source should not exceed 15 seconds, and drippings from the test specimen should not continue to flame for more than an average of 5 seconds after falling.

[0096] Smoke Density:

[0097] Test Apparatus

[0098] 1. Test Chamber: A square-cornered box with inside dimensions of 36 inches (91.4 cm) wide, 24 inches (61 cm) deep, and 36 inches (91.4) high. The interior surfaces are coated with a material resistant to chemical attack and corrosion

[0099] 2. Radiant Heat Furnace: Provides the necessary heat flux to the sample.

[0100] 3. Photometric System: Measures the amount of light transmitted through the smoke produced by the burning sample.

[0101] 4. Specimen Holders: Hold the test samples in place during the test

[0102] Test Procedure

[0103] 1. Sample Preparation: The material samples are prepared according to specified dimensions (75x75mm)

[0104] 2. Ignition: The sample is exposed to a radiant heat source and ignited using a pilot burner.

[0105] 3. Smoke Measurement: The smoke density is measured using the photometric system. The specific optical density (Ds) is calculated, which is a measure of the amount of smoke produced per unit area by the material when burned

[0106] 4. Duration: The maximum value of Ds that occurs during the first 4 minutes of the test is reported as Ds4

[0107] Criteria The materials must meet specific smoke density limits to ensure they do not produce excessive smoke, which could hinder visibility and pose a risk to passengers and crew in the event of a fire Results of the tests are set out below in Table 9 for Example A and Example B compared to specification (Spec).

[0108] Table 9. Results of test methods according to Method: F2 CS 25.853 (A) Arndt 27 App.F pt I

[0109] (a)(l)(ii) & (b)(4) 12 second vertical burn; and F8 CS 25.853 (D) Arndt 27 App.F Pt V. (a) &

[0110] (b). All publications mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be performed therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A spacer textile comprising, a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

2. A spacer textile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fabric layer comprises a flame retardant polymer.

3. A spacer textile as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second fabric layer comprises a flame retardant polymer.

4. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer and / or the second fabric layer comprise meta-aramid, para-aramid, polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyetherimide (PEI), basalt, glass, quartz, modacrylic, FR Viscose, FR Lyocell, FR Polyester, FR Nylon, ceramic, wool, silica, or mixtures thereof.

5. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer and / or second fabric layer is / are formed of yarn and the yarn comprises spun yam, monofilament yarn and / or multifilament yarn.

6. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide comprise spun yam, monofilament yarn, multifilament yarn and / or a combination thereof.

7. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide comprise a plurality of monofilaments comprising polyetherimide, optionally polyetherimide monofilament yarn.

8. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interlayer further comprises meta-aramid, para-aramid, polybenzimidazole (PBI), basalt, glass, quartz, modacrylic, FR Viscose, FR Lyocell, FR Polyester, FR Nylon, ceramic, wool, silica, or mixtures thereof.

9. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are spaced apart by the interlayer.

10. A spacer textile as claimed in claim 9, wherein the space between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer is in the range 0.01 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.1 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.5 mm to 250 mm, optionally 0.7 mm to 250 mm, optionally 1 mm to 250 mm, optionally 1 mm to 200 mm, optionally 1 mm to 150 mm, optionally 1 mm to 100 mm, optionally 1 mm to 50 mm.

11. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer is patterned, optionally having a mesh pattern.

12. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fabric layer is patterned, optionally having a mesh pattern.

13. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer textile comprises a knitted spacer textile.

14. A spacer textile as claimed in claim 13, wherein the spacer textile comprises a warp knitted spacer textile.

15. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer textile comprises a resin (for handle assist), an anti-microbial composition, a dye, and / or a fire-retardant composition.

16. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interlayer comprises 15 weight % to 75 weight % of the spacer textile.

17. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer comprises 10 weight % to 50 weight % of the spacer textile.

18. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fabric layer comprises 10 weight % to 50 weight % of the spacer textile.

19. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fabric layer and / or the second fabric layer have a courses per inch (CPI) in the range 10 to 70, optionally 15 to 45, optionally 20 to 25.

20. A spacer textile comprising, a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an interlayer comprising a plurality of polyetherimide (PEI) monofilaments interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

21. A spacer textile comprising, a first fabric layer comprising polyetherimide (PEI), a second fabric layer comprising polyetherimide (PEI), andan interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide (PEI) interconnecting the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

22. A method of making a spacer textile, the method comprising, forming a first fabric layer, forming a second fabric layer, connecting the first layer and the second layer with an interlayer comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyetherimide.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the method is a knitting method.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the method is a warp knitting method.

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, further comprising one or more step(s) selected from stenter heatset, beam scour, and stenter dry.

26. A spacer textile as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the spacer textile is for use in a garment, aerospace seating, aerospace interiors, a military garment, military equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), automotive seating automotive interior, construction, geo-textile, apparel and / or a sports garment or sports equipment.

27. A product selected from the group consisting of a garment, aerospace seating, aerospace interiors, a military garment, military equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), automotive seating, automotive interior, construction, geo-textile, apparel, a sports garment and sports equipment, the product comprising a spacer textile as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21.

28. A garment comprising a spacer textile as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21.

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