Hollophan is an insulation material, an analogue of Isosoft, produced in Russia, at the Fanema factory in St. Petersburg. This material is very actively used in the manufacture of children's warm clothing such as "Aldous", "Little People" and others. The name of this insulation is derived from the merger of the word “hollow” (from English means “hollow”) and the first three letters.
Features and production
Synthetic fiber is obtained from melted polyester . The structure of the hollophane is hollow inside. The fibers are shaped into a spiral. The finished product is safe only if it is made from high-quality raw materials. Holophane fabric is a tight weave of fibers that retains and quickly acquires its original appearance. In terms of heat-protective properties, the material resembles natural down.
Depending on the density, there are four groups of insulation (average values):
- Density indicator 125 g/sq.m – holophane is recommended for wearing at temperatures 5–10 degrees above zero;
- The numbers are 175 g/sq.m - the material must be operated in a mode from 5 degrees above zero to 10 degrees below zero;
- Indicator 230 g/sq.m – holophane is used at temperatures from 5 to 25 degrees below zero;
- Finally, the highest option, 325 g/sq.m , is a clothing filler that can withstand temperatures up to 35 degrees cold.
Numerous tests have revealed a relationship between thermal resistance and fiber density . When the density of the material doubles, the first indicator will increase by almost fifty percent. Autumn clothing is characterized by a density of 130–170 g/sq.m, and winter clothing, on average, 230 g/sq.m.
Synthetic material must have all the necessary documents confirming the high quality of the raw materials. When purchasing, you can ask the seller to show a package of papers.
What is holophane
Hollophan is an analogue of the Isosoft material and is the brainchild of the Russian one. By the way, the name of the insulation consists of two parts - the English word “empty inside” (hollow) and the beginning of the company name -.
Isosoft is a Belgian-made insulation that provides excellent warmth and at the same time removes moisture without forcing you to sweat profusely. It combines a high degree of thermal insulation with exceptional thinness.
Holofane is made from hollow polyester fabric, which is also used to create other insulating materials. This base is created from polyethylene terephthalate, better known to everyone as lavsan, or polyester. Such insulation is completely safe, if, of course, it is made from the highest grade materials.
- one of the leaders in the Russian market for the production of nonwoven materials
Varieties
The holophane manufacturer mixes synthetic threads with natural ones. Several production technologies are used , the percentage of fibers and their natural components change.
For example, there is a material with the addition of a quarter
of semi-fine sheep wool .
Both canvases have a hollow structure, so they interact well with each other. Natural material gives the product such properties as breathability and the ability to remove moisture. In addition, sheep wool has some healing effects.
For sewing elements of children's clothing, the company produces siliconized holophane . Silicone makes the material elastic and more durable, increasing its wear resistance.
The strength of the material can be increased by using special gluing of the upper fibers at high temperatures . The result is a dense top layer of fabric. It is able to withstand external factors. Additionally, the fabric is processed at high temperatures. This helps reduce fiber migration.
Performance characteristics and properties
Hollophan has a number of advantages over natural insulation:
- airy, soft, lush;
- retains heat well without letting it out;
- prevents the skin from overheating during prolonged wear;
- returns to its original shape, so it can easily withstand repeated washing and drying;
- instantly removes moisture and sweat thanks to air circulation;
- does not create a greenhouse effect;
- safe non-toxic composition;
- Excellent machine washability;
- does not absorb moisture and odors;
- does not cause allergic reactions;
- budget cost of the finished product.
Hollophan has the property of not collecting microorganisms, which makes it the safest and hypoallergenic material possible . Synthetic threads are resistant to tearing, abrasion, and stretching, which protects the material from external influences. The low weight of holofiber makes the finished garment light and easy to use. At the same time, its strength does not suffer.
The material is very pleasant to the touch. It does not lose its shape, does not fall off or decrease in volume even under adverse weather conditions. Regular wearing of products with synthetic fibers does not affect their appearance . Another important property of holophane is its resistance to alkalis and acids, as well as its calm attitude to sudden changes in environmental temperature.
The disadvantages include the impressive amount of insulation. In terms of this indicator, it cannot be compared with natural material or good old padding polyester.
The material has the following characteristics:
- Moisture capacity is not higher 0,7 %.
- Hollofan is 25% , less wrinkleable by 35% , and recovers faster by 15% .
- Restoring the original shape after loading – 100%.
Mode of production
The name Holofan is a merger of the English word “hollow”, which means “hollow”, and the first letters of the name of the factory - “fan”. Like many other modern insulation and fillers, it is made from hollow polyester fiber (polyester), twisted in a spiral and intertwined in a chaotic manner, bonded with biocomponent fusible fiber (using the thermal bonding method).
Thanks to this structure, the material retains heat well and does not allow cold to pass through, without forming a “greenhouse effect”, as it quickly removes moisture. They produce canvas with a width of 1.5 or 2.2 meters and a density of 100-350 g/m2, color white.
Application for sewing workwear and other areas
Hollophan is ideal for the production of workwear . In this form, the worker is not constrained in his movements and is protected from the cold even in frosty weather. After cleaning or washing, the product dries in a matter of hours, which saves time and money.
Holofan is used to equip rescuers, State Traffic Inspectorate employees, as well as workers in other specialties related to activities in the cold season.
Hollophan, like other synthetic insulation materials, has found wide application in the domestic sphere . It is used wherever thermal resistance and rapid recovery of shape after load are needed.
In addition to its intended purpose, the material fits perfectly into the process of sewing bedding, as well as stuffing soft toys and furniture.
Sometimes synthetic material finds unexpected uses. Some motorists install a subwoofer in the car and use holophane to fill it . This is done in order to improve the sound.
We will tell you in the next review what materials and fillers are used in the production of winter camouflage clothing.
Find out where thermofin insulation is used here.
Read about the performance properties of shelter insulation in this article.
Average prices, care features
Products with holophane are practical to use and versatile:
- Compared to natural filler, synthetic fibers do not bunch up or wrinkle when washed . It is allowed to wash clothes in an automatic machine at a temperature of 30–40 degrees.
- Spinning is allowed, but not recommended . The maximum drying speed in the drum is 500 rpm.
- It is better to dry a clean item of clothing on a hanger. This way it will quickly take its initial shape. It is prohibited to use heaters or radiators for drying . Dry cleaning allowed.
Holofan has an affordable price. The average price of one kilogram of hollophane is 200–250 rubles. It is more profitable to purchase synthetic insulation in bulk.
How to care for products with holophane
Hollophan is surprisingly easy to care for. However, its operation also has its own specifics, which you need to know in order to increase the service life of the product. So, a product with this insulation:
- Can be washed by hand or machine. such a product is not afraid of soaking, but the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees;
- After any washing, it is better not to wring out the item, but to hang it on a hanger above the bathtub to drain the water;
- The product should be machine washed on a delicate cycle without spinning;
- After washing, the item with holophane is hung on hangers and left to dry away from heat sources in the room or on the balcony. You don't have to worry about painfully long drying times, because... the material does not absorb water.
If we talk about the topic of caring for things with natural fluff, then there is nothing more painful! For my eldest son’s birthday, my mother-in-law bought him an expensive and, of course, beautiful down jumpsuit. Our happiness knew no bounds until the child, with all this “beauty,” fell into the dirty melted snow. At first I tried to clean the clothes with a damp sponge with dishwashing detergent and rinse them out of the shower, but streaks remained. And then I decided to wash it in a machine with the notorious tennis balls. After the cycle was completed, the overalls looked pitiful - despite the use of balls, the fluff clumped together in places, and as a result, the thing was completely deformed. After countless shakes and days of drying indoors, the product began to give off an unpleasant odor. As a result, I had to hide the item on a distant shelf away from the eyes of my mother-in-law and buy an inexpensive suit with padding polyester.
Reviews about the application
- Dmitry, Lipetsk : “Hollofan is much better than padding polyester. I bought workwear last year, the fillings were synthetic fibers. Worn in both cold and warm weather. I only froze once when I stood still for a long time and didn’t move.”
- Gleb, Dnepropetrovsk : “The insulation is hypoallergenic, that’s the only reason I bought my suit.
I am a terrible allergy sufferer; I have an individual intolerance to natural fillers. I’m not afraid to wash clothes; I don’t need any tennis balls. The fibers don’t bunch up.” - Leonid, Minsk : “Holofan retains heat well, even if it gets wet.
I tested this property for myself. It turned out that a bucket of cold water was poured on me while I was working (I wash windows in high-rise buildings), so not only did I not catch a cold, but I didn’t even freeze.” - Roman, Nizhny Novgorod : “My work jacket is stuffed with holofan. I work outdoors, but not every day. With the new special uniform, I forgot what the word “freeze” is. Particularly comfortable at medium temperatures.”
