What is Thinsulate insulation: composition, density, thermal insulation characteristics, customer reviews

Long gone are the days when warm coats were sewn with a double batting lining. It made the product heavier, made it shapeless and visually enlarged the owner by 2 sizes. The insulation materials currently available for jackets and coats are not only lightweight, but also capable of providing warmth to their owners at fairly low temperatures. One of the representatives of artificial fillers, not inferior in quality and ability to retain heat, is Thinsulate.

Origin of material

The name of the insulation comes from the words “thin”, “insulation”, which translated from English mean “thin thermal protection”. Thermal insulation material was developed in the 60s of the 20th century in the USA by order of NASA and was intended to insulate the suit and shoes of astronauts

The American one accomplished this task: the nonwoven material reliably retained heat thanks to fibers that retained air, which has thermal insulating properties, and also reflected the thermal radiation of the body. Thinsulate, being thin and light, was ideally suited for spacesuits.

However, the company did not stop there: a number of modifications of the filler were developed and thinsulate insulation began to be used for the manufacture of clothing and shoes.

Down jackets and jackets

And here are the reviews people leave about down jackets and jackets with Thinsulate

Ivan, 34 years old: I am a fairly plump person, and heavy winter clothes are a real problem for me. Bulk down jackets make me feel heavy and uncomfortable. After I bought a down jacket with this filling, it became much more comfortable to move around the winter city, no heavy jackets or sweaters.

Galina, 27 years old: Everyone knows that small children in winter overalls are most like astronauts - walking is difficult, two steps, and the baby falls. This is especially true for those children who are just learning to walk. Overalls with this insulation are a real find, they are much lighter and thinner, and the child can move around without difficulty

Anna, 26 years old: I bought a jacket with this filling for snowboarding and did not regret it one bit. Not only is it very light, which is very important for an athlete, but it also allows air to pass through perfectly, the body breathes perfectly in it.

Natalya, 39 years old: I bought a jacket with this filling as a demi-season jacket - I just got it mixed up. As a result, the mouton fur coat hangs in the wardrobe, I haven’t even worn it once this winter, since the “autumn” jacket turned out to be much warmer

Ekaterina, 41 years old: I bought a jacket with this filling for my son. He likes the thing very much, and all because the boys’ winter walks involve running, hockey and even football! It’s easy to run in such a down jacket, and most importantly, even though the child sweats from running around, the jacket quickly absorbs everything, which means no colds!

Filler production process

When creating the insulating material, it was taken into account that thermal insulation increases if the insulation fibers retain more air, and when the thickness of the fibers decreases, the surface area containing air inside increases. Therefore, a small mass of polymer fibers accommodates a large volume of air, which makes the filler light and warm.

Thinsulate filler is produced as follows:

• thermoplastic is melted - polyethylene terephthalate, which belongs to polyesters;
• when heated, thin twisted polyester fibers with a diameter of 2 to 10 microns are obtained;
• microfibers bound during heat treatment form a three-dimensional structure, and the fibers retain mobility;
• the resulting fibrous mass is coated with silicone.

Reviews of down jacket filler Thinsulate

Lyudmila, Petrozavodsk

“I bought overalls with Thinsulate for my little daughter, and boots with this insulation for myself. It was even hot in winter, because with a small child you have to constantly move. I only wear boots in the coldest frosts.”

Peter, Vologda

“I came to the market to buy a warm jacket. The seller stuck to it like a burdock, and kept praising the new insulating material that is used for astronauts. As a result, after the first wash, the insulation rolled into unbreakable clumps. The jacket began to become see-through in some places and was blown away by the wind. I'm not happy with the filler."

When purchasing, you should always look at the label. High-quality clothing purchased in a store will indicate the name of the filling. And only then will the purchased product enjoy a long service life.

Properties

Any material has advantages and disadvantages. Thinsulate is no exception, the properties of which are discussed below.

Positive

Many manufacturers prefer not natural, but synthetic thinsulate insulation, characterized by the following qualities:

1. Warmth is retained and a comfortable temperature for the body is maintained, since thin fibers, enclosing the air, create a kind of air cushion.
2. The air circulating inside the filler provides ventilation, allowing the skin to breathe
3. A small amount of fiber makes clothing lighter.
4. The material does not absorb odors, does not get wet, and dries quickly after washing.
5. When sewing clothes, thinsulate insulation does not deform and remains elastic.
6. It doesn't burn, it melts.
7. Does not accumulate dust, does not contain compounds hazardous to health, therefore suitable for children and allergy sufferers.
8. It has a high density and is resistant to abrasion, which guarantees a long service life of things.
9. Can be dry cleaned and does not form into lumps when washed in a machine, unlike natural fluff.

Negative

However, Thinsulate, made from synthetics, has some disadvantages:

• difficult to paint;
• electrified;
• promotes overheating of the body.

In addition, this insulation is highly expensive.

How to distinguish holofiber from thinsulate

The differences between the two materials are not very pronounced, so it is not easy to unequivocally answer the question of which is better, whether Thinsulate Holofiber.
You can see the difference externally if you take a good look at the product made from the intended material. Holofiber still has a larger volume than Thinsulate. For decent protection from wind and frost, 3-4 mm of thinsulate is enough in the product; for holofiber, the thickness should be greater. This creates a clear advantage for the first filler. In addition, items of outerwear made from Thinsulate can have fitted styles and emphasize the figure. Winter clothes made from holofiber are more often used for everyday wear. Holofiber wins only due to its price, since the insulation itself is several times cheaper, and accordingly, the clothes have a lower price, which is also important in the modern world.

Down jacket or Thinsulate jacket, which is better?

The main difference between down and thinsulate insulation is that thinsulate is not capable of causing allergies in people . The problem is very relevant , since in the modern world the number of allergy sufferers increases every year.
In 2007, materials of the TIB type, which were used as filler in bedding, were approved by the Association of Children's Allergists and Immunologists of Russia as the safest. Since then, this type of filler has been recommended for use by children with dermatitis, allergic diseases, and lung diseases.

However, it should be remembered that Thinsulate has a strong warming effect, so you should not use such blankets in the summer or in stuffy rooms, otherwise you risk overheating your body.

To understand what suits you best, down or thinsulate, check out their comparative characteristics:

• Thinsulate breathes well, does not create excess volume, looks neater and more feminine, and holds its shape well after compression and drying. But at the same time, it is an artificial material that can cause overheating of the body if used incorrectly.
• In contrast to Thinsulate, down is a natural material that is not capable of causing overheating of the body, but can also protect well from frost. The price may be cheaper or more expensive than Thinsulate. Its serious disadvantages include the ability to provoke allergic reactions in the body, and unpredictability in behavior when washing at home.

Kinds

There are many modifications of Thinsulate, the varieties of which are distinguished according to certain characteristics.

By manufacturing method

Depending on the presence or absence of the membrane, Thinsulate is divided into three groups:

Special series of insulation

The choice of Thinsulate is made easier by the fact that it is divided into 4 series, each of which is intended for a specific type of clothing.

Author:

Anastasia Kukushkina

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