There are a wide variety of fibres used in carpet manufacturing, each of them delivering different looks, feel and varying lustres to suit the needs of today’s customers.
Each of these different fibre types has their own strengths based on the types and style of construction they are produced in.
The fibre you choose affects the characteristics of your carpet – performance, durability, resistance to staining, feel & also cost. The amount of fibre used in carpet (density and weight) also affect its performance and cost.
Nylon
Nylon is the leading fibre used in carpet production around the world. Nylon carpets are outstanding in their ability to resist abrasive wear, loss of pile fibre due to foot traffic and resilience in recovering from pile crushing. Many years of research into nylon fibre construction has enabled fibres to be specifically engineered and treated to minimise soiling, varying the degree of lustre, maximise colour, clarity and the application of stain blocking technology which significantly increases the fibres resistance to staining and improves the cleanability. There are two methods used to add colour to the nylon fibre, one is continuous dyeing whereby the nylon fibre is produced in white form and the colour is then added. The other method is called solution dyeing where the actual colour is added to the actual molten nylon polymer before the yarn is produced – meaning that the colour runs right through the fibre. Both methods deliver an excellent finished yarn that will deliver excellent on floor performance, with easy maintenance.
Solution Dyed Nylon
Colour is added to the fibre at the time it is produced. This means that the colour runs right through the fibre – not just coated on the outside – offering excellent colour retention. Solution Dyed Nylon is very resistant to fading, performing well in areas with direct sunlight. This fibre also boasts excellent cleaning properties, as stronger cleaning chemicals can be used in most cases – without stripping the colour from the outside of the fibre.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene fibre is coloured using the ‘solution dyed’ process described earlier. Polypropylene has excellent soil and stain resistant properties and also boasts excellent colour fastness. The fibre does not quite have the same resilience and recovery from general pile crushing from day to day wear as nylon. When constructed in tight dense loop pile carpets it delivers exceptional service, wear and tear and excellent value for money.
Wool
Wool is seen by many as the classic carpet fibre. Being a natural fibre, wool has excellent recovery from stress under the influence of moisture so that wet cleaning revives the pile as well as removing soil. Where does the wool come from? Wool produced in Australia is generally believed too soft for use in carpet. The vast majority of wool used for carpet comes from sheep that live in colder climates i.e. New Zealand, England and Scotland where the sheep grow ‘coarse’ wool which is ideal for the wear and tear that carpets endure. When used correctly in dense pile construction, wool offers long term durability, appearance retention and the ability to keep its fresh beauty and unquestionably “grows old gracefully.”
Polyester
Polyester is another synthetic fibre. Polyester offers excellent stain & fade resistance as well as performance and value for money. Polyester fibre is often made from recycled materials – making it more environmentally friendly.
Blends
There are a number of blended fibres used in carpet production. 50/50 wool/nylon or polypropylene to 80% wool/20% nylon and variations in between. Combining fibres can mean you get a blend of the positive properties associated with two types. For example, you can get a carpet which delivers the soft luxurious feel of wool with the added abrasive quality and strength of nylon.
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Selecting the Right Fibre
This will very much depend on your personal preference and the amount of wear and tear your carpet is likely to experience.The following chart is intended to assist you in selecting the best fibre suited to your needs.
