| Metallic fibres have made the saying 'Spinning Straw in | | | | fabric is in great demand throughout Middle East and |
| Gold' come to pass. Though straw is never used, its | | | | the Asian regions. Many people also use metallic fibres |
| place is rightly taken by other precious metals like | | | | in weaving and needlepoint. |
| silver. Metallic fibres are also known as Zari particularly | | | | More commonly today you can find metallic fibres in |
| in India. The most common process for the | | | | clothing, anything from party and evening wear to club |
| manufacturing of metallic fibres is the laminating | | | | clothing to everyday wear. The shiny effect that the |
| process, which seals an aluminum layer in between | | | | fibres create has become a symbol of the new |
| polyester or acetate film. These fibres are then cut | | | | millennium. Metallic fibres are also used in places that |
| into lengthwise strips for yarns and wound onto | | | | you may encounter every day. Stainless steel and |
| bobbins. The metal can be colored and sealed in a | | | | other metal fibres are used in communication lines such |
| clear film, the adhesives can be colored or the film can | | | | as phone lines and cable lines. Stainless steel fibres are |
| be colored. There are many different variations of | | | | also used in carpets. They are dispersed throughout |
| color and effect that can be made in metallic fibres, | | | | the carpet with other fibres so that they are not |
| producing a wide range of looks. | | | | detected. The presence of the fibres helps to conduct |
| The most common end use for metallic fibres is | | | | electricity so that the static shock is reduced. These |
| upholstery fabric and textiles such as Lamé and | | | | types of carpets are often used in high volume |
| brocade. Lamés are most commonly made of a | | | | computer areas where the chance of producing static |
| polyester jacket, overlain with a thin, interwoven metal, | | | | is much greater. |
| usually steel or copper, which gives them a metallic | | | | Other uses of Metallic fibre include work clothing such |
| grayish look. This apparel is popularly used in fencing. | | | | as protective suits, space suits, cut resistant gloves for |
| Brocade is the special fabric in which colored silk is | | | | butchers and other people working near bladed or |
| used woven with silver and gold threads. This exquisite | | | | dangerous machinery. |