Microfiber has become widespread in everyday life and has become so commonplace that almost no housewife can do without it. What kind of fabric is this that everyone uses but knows little about?
Microfiber is a synthetic, polymer fiber composition, it is made mainly of 100% polyester, or with various additives in the form of polymide and other polymer compositions, which give the original material the necessary qualities.
Microfiber characteristics, manufacturing process
Microfiber was first produced in Japan in 1976. Very thin fibers are used for its production, the thickness of which is only a few micrometers, which is why it got its name. The microfiber is produced by extrusion on special devices that are able to pass through the molten prepared polyester mass and extrude the finest threads less than one hundredth of a millimeter, which are further cooled by water. Another condition is the shape of the thread - it must be star-shaped. It is this shape that determines the special qualities of microfiber. If polyamide is present in the composition, the process becomes even more complicated, as it is necessary to create a super-thin thread with a polyamide core, which is enveloped in polyester. This is a very high-tech and energy-intensive process, which causes the high cost of high-quality microfiber products.
Microfiber pros and cons
- absorbs water more actively than all natural fibers more than five times;
- very pleasant to the touch, soft, like a peach;
- high air permeability;
- does not absorb moisture inside the fiber, leaving it on the surface, so it dries quickly;
- does not emit harmful substances, safe;
- does not cause allergic reactions;
- practically does not wrinkle, does not shrink and does not change structure;
- does not support the settlement and development of any pathogenic microflora, as well as pathogenic bacteria;
- easily washed off;
- well maintains heat balance;
- is afraid of the raised temperatures over 60 degrees, at an overheat the structure of fiber is destroyed and a part of properties is lost;
- with excessive accumulation of fat deposits, which blind individual microfibers, microfiber loses the ability to absorb water;
Microfiber material, types:
- woven, used for upholstery of furniture, car interiors, bathroom rugs;
- knitted, high-tech and home clothes, towels, bed linen, blankets, bedspreads, children's toys are produced;
- non-woven is used in the manufacture of various types of products for clearing and house cleaning, as well as cars, office and household appliances;
- artificial suede is very pleasant, similar to real, easy to clean, used for sewing outerwear, bags and other products;
Microfiber is used in a wide variety of applications, making it an almost universal fabric. Microfiber has truly enormous capabilities in the implementation of all kinds of textures and visually different materials have similar properties. But there are also differences in characteristics due to the different structure of the material. Microfiber can be: fleecy, smooth, rough, with an embossed texture and other types.
Microfiber, ways of care
- wash in non-aggressive detergents, preferably in liquid, at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees;
- the use of rinses and bleaches is prohibited;
- microfiber must be dried away from open sources of heat, avoid drying in open sunlight, as the fibers become coarse;
- ironing is prohibited;
