Alcantara is a material that belongs to the group of artificial textile materials. It combines the best qualities of natural materials. It looks like suede, but has a much higher density and is also more resistant to abrasion, moisture, temperature changes, etc. These properties make it more practical to use compared to genuine leather. Alcantara is a completely environmentally friendly material with anti-allergenic properties.
Alcantara is a soft and velvety artificial finishing material that is often confused with genuine leather. However, it would be more correct to call this material artificial suede, since they are very similar in appearance and feel. The fabric is officially patented by the Italian company of the same name Alcantara, which continues to manufacture it to this day. An aesthetic and practical material consisting of polyester and polyurethane, it is especially popular in the field of car finishing.
History of the origin of the material
The history of Alcantara began not so long ago - in the 1970s of the last century it was invented by the Japanese scientist Miyoshi Okamoto at Toray. Almost immediately, this new material was rated very highly by representatives of the automotive industry. Already in 1972, a united Japanese-Italian company appeared, which began active production and sale of Alcantara. The Japanese side was responsible for providing the technology, while the Italian side was responsible for the manufacturing processes and advertising. The word “Alcantara” itself refers to Spanish and South American regions with a developed leather industry.
A synthetic analogue of natural suede is made from polyester and polyurethane. The main nuance of production lies in the fineness of the produced fiber (microfiber) thanks to improved spinning of threads (wet viscous weaving), as well as modern processes of dressing, dyeing, impregnation and processing. An important element of the latter is the piercing of the two-component fiber, and after that additional treatment with glue. The structure of the resulting material, similar to suede, is durable, wear-resistant, and is also not exposed to sunlight. The very small size of Alcantara microfibers allows this material to be classified as ultramicrofibers.
Characteristics of Alcantara
Like suede, Alcantara is quite pleasant to the touch, its surface is silky, soft and velvety. This fabric not only has excellent tactility, but will also last you a very long time due to the following important features:
- Wear resistance. Even after a year of use, its non-woven base does not wear out and generally looks flawless, of course, if you know how to properly care for the material.
- It is more elastic than natural leather, so it is more convenient for finishing objects of complex shapes. Especially if you take into account the fact that the fiber thickness is only one millimeter, thanks to which it has excellent air permeability. At the same time, Alcantara does not lose its shape, does not stretch, and fits quite tightly.
- You can wash it in a washing machine or use detergents that are suitable for cleaning leather furniture. Sometimes it is enough to simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
- It is easy to paint it in a variety of shades or perform other manipulations on it, for example, to achieve a new texture.
- Hypoallergenic. Safe for use by allergy sufferers.
- Not afraid of sunlight. Under the influence of the sun it does not lose its original color and pattern, and does not deform.
- Does not retain odors. Not affected by chemicals.
- Resistance to external influences, high resistance to mechanical and weather influences. Even after aggressive physical pressure or a sharp temperature change, the pile of the material is able to recover on its own. If a fire occurs, a product with Alcantara upholstery will be damaged, but the fabric itself does not support combustion. A spark falling on the material will not be able to ignite, so Alcantara will never become a source of fire.
Tips for choosing
Alcantara or leather – which is better:
- The cost of leather is higher, sometimes it’s easier to buy Alcantara car covers. These materials combine perfectly with each other. You can save money by using both.
- The downside of genuine leather is that it quickly heats up under the scorching sun and creates unpleasant sensations for the driver. Alcantara is recommended when living in hot climates.
- To maintain the appearance of leather car seats, you have to constantly wipe them with a special product. This also costs money and time. Alcantara is easier to care for.
- Not every leather is suitable for interior reupholstery. It is better to choose a special car option.
Alcantara or eco-leather, which is better?
- The eco-leather lining is made of cotton, the upper part is polyurethane. This promotes good air exchange. Alcantara, especially perforated, also allows air to pass through perfectly.
- For eco leather covers to fit well, they must fit tightly. The products of unscrupulous manufacturers will spread out in six months.
- Eco-leather requires even less attention when caring. It is wiped with a damp cloth.
- Alcantara is more expensive. To save money, it is better to choose eco-leather or combine these materials; they look good together.
There is no clear answer which is better: leather, eco-leather or Alcantara. Some want to save money, some care about prestige and status, some only care about quality.
When choosing a color, you should rely on personal desires and care information. Popular fabric colors are black and beige. Light shades require frequent maintenance. Frequent friction with dark clothing causes stains. Therefore, additional covers are recommended for light-colored upholstery.
If you want bright colors, you should consider the color of the car and other parts of the interior trim. All this must be combined with each other.
The velor fabric is also velvety to the touch. It is inexpensive, but does not have any special advantages. It is pleasant to sit on in any weather and is easy to care for.
How to distinguish original Alcantara from a fake?
The high cost of original Alcantara is explained by high-quality raw materials, modern technologies and the involvement of professionals in working on the products. Those who want to save money on purchasing this fabric forget about these important factors. Counterfeits of Alcantara are cheaper, but they do not have the key features listed. Manufacturers of illegal counterfeits save on everything for the sake of their own benefit, trying to pass off wishful thinking. At the end of the day, they get a product that looks similar to the original Alcantara, but which definitely will not stand the test of time. If you want to be sure that your trim or cladding will last for many years and maintain a presentable appearance, choose the original. Order fabric from the company's official suppliers who cooperate with the Italian company.
Content
- Alcantara - a production feature
- Is there a difference between Alcantara for a living room interior and for a car interior?
- Table: cleaning stains on Alcantara
- Car seat covers design
- Types of eco-leather as an analogue to natural material
- Structure and characteristics of eco-leather
- Properties of eco leather
Customers become familiar with Alcantara in workshops that sew car seat covers and when choosing luxury furniture.
There is an Italian company on the market - the copyright holder of the Alkantara brand. And many more manufacturers of similar materials. This is fertile ground for unscrupulous sellers. Alcantara is presented as suede, cheap artificial suede is presented as branded. Materials intended for sofas are sold for sewing car covers. There are distorted names like alcantra or al-cantara. Even on the websites of companies whose specialization is furniture upholstery or car showroom decoration. In online stores you can come across different names for ultramicrofiber. Or alcantara fabric for position. This is incorrect, since it was not made using textile equipment. Wikipedia will help you understand this issue.
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Area of application of Alcantara
A large number of well-known brands of expensive premium and business class cars, which use innovative material for seat upholstery, cooperate with the Italian company that produces Alcantara. The appearance and tactile sensations allow us to compare this material with natural suede, but the performance properties of Alcantara are in many ways valued much more highly.
The use of this technological material is not limited only to the automotive sector and car covers. In 2015, the American company Space X demonstrated the design of the interior of a transport spacecraft. To decorate the astronauts' seats, the developers chose reliable and high-quality Alcantara.
In addition, it can be used to cover furniture. Non-woven fabric is used for upholstery and other interior items, making helmets, and jewelry. You can often find clothes or shoes made of Alcantara. Practicality and durability in operation make it possible to use it in the development of spectacular and practical designs for restaurants, yachts, casinos, airplanes and helicopters. The list of possible areas is constantly expanding, for example, some companies are already using Alcantara to create a cushion (an element for sealing holes) of a woodwind instrument.
Reviews
On forums, car enthusiasts actively discuss the material and leave their reviews. These are the assessments you can hear from people who have been using the fabric for more than a year.
Upholstered interior
Ruslan Kasaev, 24 years old: “Alcantara covers fit like family and create a solid look for the interior. I've been using them for 2 years now, no complaints. Cleans well. I bought the covers for 8,000 rubles. in the shop. I installed it myself, but it was difficult to tighten.”
Case color
Sergey Konopeltsev, 46 years old: “Alcantara looks like new in just over a year. In hot weather, any synthetic upholstery will make your back wet. Here, genuine leather is more practical. But Alcantara is easy to clean. I only took it to the dry cleaner once. One minus for me is that the fabric on the handles wears out quickly.”
Alcantara can make any interior elegant and expensive. The main thing is to take into account your needs when choosing, and also not to overdo it and insert material where it is appropriate.
Effective look of fabric
*Prices are as of May 2021.
Alcantara or genuine leather, which is better to choose?
Since Alcantara surprisingly resembles suede or velor, many people have a logical question: which fabric to choose? First, of course, it is worth considering that each material performs its own tasks. During the experiments, it turned out that Alcantara is much more resistant to physical influences than genuine leather. This feature makes it an ideal finishing material, since wear resistance is a key characteristic for such tasks.
In addition to its durability, Alcantara is distinguished from genuine leather by the following features:
- Not afraid of sudden temperature changes and exposure to chemicals;
- Does not fade in the sun, holds color well, and is durable. Genuine leather does not like the scorching rays of the sun and immediately becomes very hot;
- Easy to clean, remove even stubborn stains. Caring for Alcantara is much simpler, does not require much time and effort, and does not need to be treated with special substances, like suede;
- Thanks to its elasticity, it is convenient to use for finishing complex objects.
Often clients opt for a compromise - a combination of genuine leather and Alcantara. This combination is considered practical and harmonious. Moreover, not every leather material may be suitable for certain purposes.
If you are a supporter of a conscious approach to consumption, and genuine leather is not an acceptable option for you. Feel free to buy Alcantara! This is an environmentally friendly, high-quality material, the creation of which does not harm animals, and it is superior to leather in many respects. The raw materials for Alcantara are cotton and polymers.
Compound
The raw material is microfiber obtained from polymers - polyester, polyurethane, polyester, etc. The Alcantara company proposed its technology for the production of two-component microfiber, called “islands in the sea”.
Subsequent chemical processing improves the characteristics of the raw material, resulting in a fabric that is more durable and UV resistant than suede. The final properties of the produced material depend on the quality of the microfiber and the duration of the chemical treatment.
Alcantara or eco-leather, which is better to choose?
There is no definite answer to this question, since the essence of these materials is very similar. They have many similar characteristics, one of which is good air exchange. Both fabrics do not require any special care. However, one of the disadvantages of Alcantara compared to eco-leather is the high price per meter. At the same time, the disadvantage of eco-leather is its poor adaptability to high temperatures: in hot summers, unlike Alcantara, it gets very hot, and in winter its surface becomes cool. Thermoregulation of Alcantara is much better.
Advantages and disadvantages
This material has only one drawback - its high price. But there are a lot of advantages:
- With proper care, very long service life
- Does not cause allergic reactions
- Resistant to sunlight, does not fade or fade
- Doesn't burn (only melts)
- Does not absorb odors
- Excellent elasticity, water and breathability
- Restores shape after mechanical stress
- Resistant to weather influences (temperature changes, humidity, etc.)
- Very pleasant to the touch
Features of caring for Alcantara
Caring for Alcantara is very simple; cleaning it is not difficult at all, even without turning to professional dry cleaners. It is enough to follow a few basic tips and recommendations from the manufacturer:
It is better to clean once a week, but the frequency of cleansing is, of course, up to you. Many people do this only when necessary. First, walk over the surface with a dry brush to remove dust, and then wipe everything with a damp cloth. It is more convenient to use a vacuum cleaner in the car and then wash everything with a wet cloth. When the upholstery is dry, you can comb the pile with a special soft brush.
Several times a year, a high-quality, complete wash is required, especially after the winter or summer periods. From time to time, car covers are washed in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, or by hand in cold water.
If stubborn stains bother you, use special cleaning products for faux suede. A proven solution is also a soap or alcohol solution. Do not use universal detergents, which can be absorbed and cause allergies. However, if the stain is greasy, it can be removed dry simply with talc.
Restoring the color of Alcantara will also not be difficult. First, purchase any product that is designed for artificial suede. You should not use aerosol paint to apply the color more evenly; it is better to paint with a sponge.
Table: cleaning stains on Alcantara
| Pollution; | Cleaning method |
| Wine and beer | Soapy water with methyl alcohol added |
| Coffee and tea | Soapy warm water. For old stains - ammonia |
| Chocolate, blood | 5% ammonia solution |
| Ballpoint pens, chewing gum | Ethanol |
| Oil paint | Turpentine, then warm water and soap |
Comparisons with a case are quite appropriate, since Alcantara is used to cover complex surfaces. For example, cases for collectible musical instruments. Musicians order specific devices for better sounding of wind instruments from this material.
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Types of material
Branded Italian Alcantara is presented in three popular types among drivers:
- Panel. No backing. This option is suitable for automotive panels, such as dashboards.
- Cover. A textile backing is added to the non-woven fabric. An excellent solution for seat upholstery.
- Perforated. Thanks to perforations, it provides even better air exchange than regular Alcantara.
- formal. With textile lining, intended for seats.
- Soft. With foam rubber.
There are other, not quite “automotive” variations of the canvas, for example:
Flock Alcantara. Fabric reminiscent of velvet both tactilely and externally. An interesting feature is its interaction with moisture: it can absorb, but cannot get wet “through and through” and begin to leak, and will not let water inside. To dry the canvas, you can simply blot it with a dry cloth. Suitable for finishing mattresses or sewing mattress covers.
Car seat covers design
Expensive appearance inspires fashion designers to produce prestigious trinkets. For example, boxes for jewelry and baskets for pets. Smartphone cases are popular. They do not become greasy and do not require maintenance like natural suede.
Even a non-car dealership specialist understands that the Alcantrar fabric on the seat and on the ceiling experiences different loads. Alcantara SPA produces several modifications for the convenience of finishers. This allows you to realize design ideas.
- AlcantaraCover - a fabric-backed material used by manufacturers to cover chairs;
- AlcantaraFormal on a cotton fabric backing. Recommended for reupholstering seats and sewing car covers;
- AlcantaraPannel without backing. As the name implies, it is suitable for decorating dashboards, pillars, and consoles;
- AlcantaraSoft with foam backing. Designed for finishing ceilings and counters;
- AlcantaraFret - Alcantara with perforation. There are two options to choose from, with round and square holes. Durable holes and interesting color contrast are achieved by using a black fabric backing;
- Perforated material covers the backs and seats with a blowing or climate control system. For an extravagant design, Alcantara Starlite with round perforations and silver backing is available.
Other manufacturers produce self-adhesive faux suede. It is convenient for DIY car interior renovation and other crafts.
The ultramicrofiber manufacturer offers 500 colors and shades to choose from. Salons for sewing car seat covers complement their offer with a variety of models, decorative stitching and ties, embroidery of logos and monograms. Owners of glossy leather interiors will find Alcantara capes useful for winter trips. The investment is justified because the material is almost eternal.
