Types of Fibers Available for you:
Carpets are often classified by the type of fiber use to make surface yarns.
Acrylic: a manmade substance, similar to wool in look and feel. It is a plastic fiber made from, acrylonitrile (a clear plastic) and became a major substitute for wool after the 1950’s.
Advantages:
- wool-like appearance and feel
- low moisture absorption
- easy to clean
- good stain resistance
- resistant to mildew and moths
- resistant to sunlight damage
Disadvantages:
- not as strong as some other synthetic carpets
- produced in short fibers and crimped
- poor resistance to matting
- stained by oil and grease
Nylon: is the most popular synthetic fiber. It comes in continuous or spun fibers-which are made of short length fibers that are spun tightly together. The continuous fibers are less likely to unravel
Advantages:
- easy to clean
- extremely durable
- extreme resistance to matting
- cost effective-a wide price range
- good abrasion resistance
- absorbs little moisture
- resists moths, mildew, and fungi
- good stain resistance
- third and fourth generation fibers are anti-static
Disadvantages:
- can be stained by oil and gas
- breaks down and fades in the sunlight
Olefin (polypropylene): is the next-best popular synthetic fiber after nylon. These fibers keep color because the production process involves mixing polypropylene with dyes.
Advantages:
- easy to clean
- keeps color
- strong fibers
- water and soil resistant
- good stain resistant
- resistant to mildew and moths
- makes good short pile indoor/outdoor carpet
Disadvantages:
- tends to mat
- captures oil and grease
- dry-cleaning solvents degrade fibers
Polyester: while not as popular as nylon or olefin, it is still a very popular synthetic fiber. Polyester once had a reputation for having poor quality. Currently, polyester has improved considerably.
Advantages:
- soft feel
- resistant to abrasion
- resistant to mildew
- good stain resistance
- inexpensive
Disadvantages:
- prolonged exposure to sunlight degrades fibers
- captures oil and grease
Wool: made from the hair of sheep, some wool rugs are made from the hair of goats, llamas or alpaca. Sheep’s hair grows in a spiral; the fibers have a “memory” when twisted into tufts. The fiber is extremely easy to dye.
Advantages:
- very good resistance
- limited piling problems
- durable
Disadvantages:
- can soil easily
- imported because domestic fibers are finer and weaker
- inexpensive
Do you have any additional questions about carpet fibers? A StarFloors representative would be happy to help you at any time. Visit www.starfloors.com for more information.
