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Published: March 30, 2020
Reading time: 8 min
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16
- 1 Silk fiber
- 2 Features and characteristics of fibertech
- 3 Bird down
- 4 Scope of application: what to sew
- 5 Wool
- 6 Recommendations for product care
- 7 Fibertek or down: which is better
- 8 Bamboo
- 9 Conclusions
- 10 Sintepon
- 11 Fibertek, holofiber and other insulation materials: similarities and differences
- 12 Lyocell
Silk fiber
We have known cotton fiber as a filling since childhood: our grandmothers covered themselves with cotton blankets. It's really warm under them, they don't cause allergies and are very inexpensive. This is where the advantages of such blankets end.
Over time, such filler inevitably rolls off, forming lumps; moreover, the material itself is very heavy. Cotton wool accumulates dust and quickly absorbs moisture, and dries extremely slowly, creating a favorable environment for the development of parasites. These blankets cannot be washed. Dry clean and sun dry only.
Blankets filled with silk fiber are considered the highest quality, most durable and most expensive. No other material has as many advantages as silk. This filler does not cause allergies and does not attract dust; dust mites and fungi do not grow in it.
Silk fiber does not accumulate moisture, and such blankets do not pill and can be washed. These products are light and warm, making them incredibly comfortable to sleep under. It's perfect for spring and cool summer nights. This material allows air to pass through, and under such a blanket the skin really “breathes.” Due to excellent thermoregulation, it never gets hot under it.
Use in other areas
Thanks to its properties, fibertek has found application in both the household and furniture industries..
Hygiene, environmental friendliness, and safety make canvas an indispensable material in the production of furniture.
High tensile strength, resistance to damage and compression, easy care allow the use of a synthetic substitute for natural down as a flooring material and filler for upholstered furniture, pillows, and toys .
Polyester fibers are perfect for arranging a sleeping area. Moreover, they can be used both in ordinary sleeping bags and in expensive pieces of upholstered furniture.
Features and characteristics of fibertech
Fybertek is a structured polyester fiber with hollow beads inside. Outwardly, it resembles holofiber, but significantly surpasses it in characteristics: it withstands low temperatures better and does not cake even with daily wear.
The sealant fiber consists of thin polyester threads rolled into balls with a layer of air between them. The threads are treated with silicone to increase their strength.
Manufacturers have taken into account all the gaps of similar synthetic fibers, so fibertek has the following properties:
- Ease. Despite double stitching and siliconization, the fiber is lightweight and suitable for filling jackets, down jackets and overalls that fit on the body like a “second skin”.
- Form stability. The threads are strong enough not to roll or cake when bent, dried and stored, and they take the shape of a person’s figure without turning outerwear into an oversized sheepskin coat. In addition, the material quickly restores its shape after washing, exceeding synthetic winterizer by 10-20%.
- Moisture resistance. It repels moisture and does not deteriorate under its influence, thanks to which it also dries quickly after washing.
- High thermal insulation. In terms of thermal insulation properties, this material is twice as good as such natural materials as wool felt and alpaca wool. Cotton wool is inferior to fibertek in thermal conductivity by 35%. This means that clothes made from this material do not require any additional insulation or lining.
- Immunity to odors. Such a pleasant property as odor resistance contributes to the long service life of the material, because there is no need to wash it often.
- Wear resistance. Double stitching makes the material invulnerable to attempts at physical impact and tearing, making it also one of the most durable artificial fillers known today.
- Air permeability. This means that the material is well ventilated, evaporating moisture, but does not release cold. The filler does not contain fusible materials and is fire resistant.
- Hypoallergenic. Suitable for wearing by pregnant women and children, as well as for filling children's blankets, sofas, ottomans. The material is highly environmentally friendly, thanks to treatment with compounds that do not contain toxic substances.
- One-piece. It is made by thermal bonding, without the use of chemical glue, in layers up to 5 cm thick and 150-240 cm wide, which are stitched together. There is no need to hem these layers completely under the outer layer of clothing - only under the shoulder, side seams and hemming seams.
- Competitive price. The products have a relatively low cost compared to down jackets and jackets made of wool blend fabric.
It is manufactured exclusively according to GOST criteria and good material meets the following values:
- air permeability – 68.6 dm3/m2s;
- thermal conductivity – 0.031 W/mK;
- moisture resistance – 39.
We suggest you read: How to wash and dry a down scarf
Features, manufacturing, standards and GOSTs
During manufacturing, fibertek fibers are additionally treated with silicone, which gives even greater strength and resistance to caking . The canvas parameters may be different.
The thickness of the layer varies from one and a half to five centimeters,
the width of the material can be from 150 to 240 centimeters , and the density parameter ranges from 120 to 400 grams per square meter.
They increase the reliability and stability of the insulation using polypropylene, which is quilted using special equipment.
When manufacturing fibertek, an ideal ratio of synthetic fibers and air is created . For fibertek, threads have been selected that form an air cushion around themselves. It retains heat perfectly. Exceeding the recommended volume of such a layer can lead to the fact that the thermal insulation properties are significantly reduced. Deterioration in the quality of insulation is also possible due to too high fiber density.
The density of fibertek insulation must comply with the requirements of GOST 20489-75. GOST 29336-92 standards allow the use of fibertek for sewing clothing items used in a special climate zone. The safety of the material must be confirmed by quality certificates.
Bird fluff
Buyers of down blankets will have similar problems: such filler is also very susceptible to moisture and is difficult to part with. Such a blanket must be constantly dried, otherwise dust mites may appear in it, so it is not suitable for allergy sufferers.
But down comforters are unusually warm, light and soft. Bird down is much lighter than wool, and a blanket made from such filling looks very fluffy. Most often, manufacturers offer blankets with down and feathers from gray goose and duck, and the most prized are the down and feathers of white goose and loons.
Sintepon
Blankets with such filling are quite cheap, so they are always in demand. The synthetic winterizer is light and warms well and is ideal for allergy sufferers.
It is easy to care for: it can be washed in water no hotter than forty degrees, wrung out without twisting, and dried on a horizontal surface. But such blankets cake very quickly and poorly remove heat and moisture from the body. Sleeping under such a blanket in the summer is a real punishment.
Scope of application: what to sew
The convenience of using workwear made from fibertech is due to two main factors: the ability to work outdoors without interference at low temperatures and the absence of a greenhouse effect due to breathability. Read about Turkish bamboo towels here.
Uniforms with such filling are sewn for traffic police officers, rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and they are also used to create ammunition for lovers of active winter recreation: ski suits, overalls, kits for expeditions and extreme hikes, since they do not hinder movement. Sleeping bags and bedding are also made from it. But for workwear for medical professions, satori fabric is used.
Representatives of professions that involve direct contact with electricity, wiring and instruments need protective clothing with antistatic properties. Fibertek, treated with silver-based compounds, will be an excellent replacement for classic batting and other heavy fillers, which make work uniforms uncomfortable for oil workers, gas sector workers, gas stations, etc. This material will tell you about a blanket for a bed in a sea-green bedroom.
Fibertek is used to sew soft parts of children's furniture - lining the sides of strollers, cribs and playpens.
Application for sewing workwear
Insulation for workwear must have a specific set of qualities that are perfectly combined in fibertech.
The very first criterion that is important for this type of material is thermal insulation . It is to preserve heat that synthetic fibers are primarily used for workwear. At the same time, fibertek allows the skin to breathe without creating a greenhouse effect, which characterizes the second most important quality, namely breathability.
The shape, sewn using fibertek, fits the body, does not impede movement, it is light, comfortable, and flexible. A worker dressed in such a suit is able to perform any physical activity without any problems .
These properties make it possible to use the material for the production of uniforms for traffic police officers, who are forced to stay in the cold for a long time in the winter.
Synthetic fibers fill the uniforms of rescue workers, energy workers, and tourists.
Fibertek is also used for sewing equipment for firefighters, metallurgists, and welders. The insulation of workwear for workers who deal with fire is produced with the addition of special fire-resistant additives . These substances artificially increase the melting point of the fiber.
Another modification of fibertek is a laminated top sheet, which makes the insulation not susceptible to thermal radiation from the outside.
Material treated with silver-based antistatic agents will be the best alternative to cold and massive batting and similar insulation in the form of oil workers, gas service workers, gas station personnel and other employees working in professions where static electricity can pose a real threat to life.
Wool
A wool blanket is a great choice for the winter season. It warms perfectly, removes moisture well from the body and dries quickly enough, and it can also be washed in a machine without any problems, which means that such a product is unlikely to become a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. As a rule, it weighs little. However, it all depends on the type of wool that was used to fill the blanket.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with How to remove the smell of cat urine from shoes: a review of products
The most affordable product is considered to be a product made from sheep wool. It heats well, but is quite heavy in weight. A lighter one is a blanket made of camel wool, but such a product costs much more. A real luxury is a cashmere blanket. This is the softest and lightest filler of all existing types of wool.
NATURAL INSULATIONS
Goose down
A luminary among insulation materials. Lightweight, durable, withstands severe frosts, restores shape after creasing. The down of waterfowl has a natural lubricant that prevents moisture from being absorbed. The best down: eider down, followed by goose. Duck down clothing is the cheapest and is not intended for cold weather. A properly sewn item lined with natural down weighs no more than half a kilogram and, when folded, can easily fit into a standard plastic bag. Unfortunately, down is a very allergenic material, an ideal breeding ground for mites. Down clothes take a long time to dry. If you buy a down jumpsuit (envelope) for our Ural winter (not for moving to the north), remember that an active child outside will definitely be hot in it at temperatures above -15°. A doll in a down envelope will also have a hard time if winter produces the same demi-season temperatures as last year. Down products from well-known companies, as a rule, are of very high quality; they are unlikely to produce down if properly cared for, but they are also quite expensive.
Care: to ensure that the product retains its appearance longer, resort to full washing of the product less often. It is recommended to wash on a soft cycle with a detergent without bleach at 30°. Machine washable. After washing, immediately dry and “break” the pockets with fluff so that it does not fall off. You can't iron it. Only machine drying for several hours at low temperatures is recommended.
Children's overalls with down: Il Gufo (Italy), O'Hara (Canada), Chicco (Italy), Premaman (Belgium). "Arctiline" (Russia), Zera (Spain).
Wool
Or the so-called sheepskin. Very durable, wear-resistant material. Microbes do not like wool, so it is considered a hypoallergenic insulation. Retains heat perfectly down to -25°. It happens that the overalls are equipped with a removable sheep wool lining, this is convenient for suspicious parents who think that the child is cold. The lining allows you to turn the jumpsuit into a demi-season option. Due to their considerable weight, sheepskin overalls are now produced mainly only for children under one year old.
Care: clothes with sheepskin can become deformed from washing, so it is better to dry clean them.
Top coating
Ideally, the outer fabric of the overalls should allow air to pass through well and repel water. The instructions included with the overalls (or your sales assistant) will tell you about this. It is advisable that the seams in the clothing be taped. Most often, the outer covering is made of polyamide treated with some composition, in this case the fabric is durable and “breathable”.
!High-quality winter overalls made from fabric that meets these conditions should not be washed at temperatures above 40° and should not be used with bleach powders!
Materials for external coatings
The most famous are “cordura” and “nylon polyester” fabrics impregnated with Teflon. Cordura is a high-strength polyamide designed for extremely heavy-duty use. The surface of the fabric is protected by treatment with Teflon®. Cordura material is completely waterproof.
Cordura inserts on the knees and butt of overalls and trousers increase the durability and waterproofness of the garment.
Teflon® - water-repellent impregnation, provides protection from rain and snow.
Nylon Polyester is a soft and very light blend fabric. It is based on the interweaving of two threads of different structure. This creates a “chameleon” effect: the fabric shimmers.
Nowadays, companies use high-strength materials for sewing products. However, if a child always rolls down slides or rolls around in other ways during a walk, it is quite possible that the fabric will not hold up. “Bedsores” and abrasions form.
Many people ask why shell out a lot of money for the same Reimu. Most often, the point is precisely the stability of the top coating: the more complex the technology (high degree of waterproofness, resistance), the higher the price.
Lining
For its manufacture, materials such as nylon, cotton and fleece are used.
Fleece is a synthetic wool that does not absorb moisture, but conducts it and retains heat well. There is regular fleece, and there is high-quality fleece - for example, Polartec. Unlike natural fabrics (cotton), good fleece provides the necessary ventilation when overheated and removes condensation outside.
Fleece will only work if you wear thermal underwear or a synthetic T-shirt underneath it.
Many years ago, parents were afraid of synthetics. It was believed that a child should wear clothes made from natural fabrics. Modern synthetics are not the same as those of yesterday. It can and should be used for the best comfort in winter. The fleece may also contain a membrane.
Care: fleece is washed at a temperature not exceeding 40°, using synthetic or gentle wash modes. Do not iron or dry in a washing machine.
Also, the lining is made of 100% nylon, it ensures quick drying when machine washed and the product is lightweight.
Recommendations for product care
Another advantage of fibertek and shelter insulation is that it does not require any special conditions of operation, washing and storage. If for some reason the manufacturer has not indicated how to care for a product with this filler, you can follow the standard instructions for other synthetic materials - holofiber, padding polyester, etc. Read about an orthopedic sleeping pillow in this article.
How to wash the product:
- The material can be washed by hand and machine in the “Delicate” mode.
- The water temperature should not exceed 40°C.
- It is preferable to use conditioning gels rather than powders and oxygen bleaches.
- It is prohibited to use bleaches and stain removers containing chlorine on fibertek.
- Spin must be set at no more than 500 rpm.
To straighten it, just shake off the clothes a couple of times and hang them on hangers to dry away from direct sunlight and heating devices.
If for some reason there is no information on caring for the product, when washing and drying wardrobe items with this insulation, it is recommended to follow the standard rules for caring for insulated clothing:
- Wash by hand or in a washing machine on a delicate cycle. Some devices have a special mode for washing down jackets.
- Use water for washing whose temperature does not exceed 40 degrees.
- Use delicate detergents, preferably in liquid form. Gels and shampoos are much better washed out of fibers than powders.
- To remove stubborn stains, do not use chlorine-containing or aggressive products. To clean products with this insulation, it is recommended to use oxygen bleaches. To remove heavy stains, do not use dry cleaning services. When this material comes into contact with chemical compounds, the reaction may be unpredictable, which will negatively affect its practical properties.
- Wring by hand or in a washing machine at low speed. When manually squeezing, it is not recommended to use much force.
- Dry flat, hanging on soft hangers. The product should be placed to dry in a well-ventilated area away from heating appliances. It is also necessary to ensure that the wet item is not exposed to direct sunlight. It is recommended to shake the clothes periodically during drying.
Reviews about fibertek insulation
Maxim, 40 years old, gas station attendant.
I used to work in a down jacket - I started to freeze at -10 degrees, but the fibertek protects even from 30 degrees below zero. Constant movement combined with reliable insulation guarantees protection from any cold.
Stanislav, 35 years old, traveler.
Author:
Zakharova Nina Afanasyevna
I hope you like my article! If you find any shortcomings, just write to me about it! I am always ready for a conversation and will answer any questions you have, ask them!