The composition of carpet products
The main material required for every textile product is fiber. The fibers can be of natural or artificial origin.
Natural fibers, in turn, are divided into plant and animal materials. Among the natural plant materials for the manufacture of carpets, such as linen, cotton, jute, hemp, sisal and some others are used. Animal materials are wool and silk.
Materials of artificial origin can be based on vegetable (viscose, rubber) or mineral raw materials, as well as synthetic (polypropylene, polyester, polyacryl, polyamide).
Of course, each of the materials used to make carpet pile has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of a particular type depends on where this carpet will be used.
Woolen rugs
Sheep wool is the most traditional fiber for carpet making. Woolen yarn is composed of individual strands spun into a continuous thread. The quality of the carpet depends not only on the type of wool, but also on the spinning method. Poor-quality woolen yarn is strongly combed out, and the underpads from such a carpet can be separated throughout the entire service life.
The advantages of a woolen carpet include:
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strength (including elasticity);
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elasticity of the pile;
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low thermal conductivity;
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as well as high fire performance.
Disadvantages:
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high price;
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susceptibility to the accumulation of static charge;
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low stain resistance and susceptibility to moth and mildew.
Also, woolen yarn, in contrast to synthetic fibers, is less dyed, therefore, products made of pure wool are predominantly natural, calm tones. Modern manufacturers have learned to partially compensate for a number of the above-mentioned shortcomings of wool with special methods. Special dirt-repelling, antistatic and anti-salt impregnation of the pile is used.
Polypropylene carpets
Polypropylene - the new fiber has a fairly simple molecular structure (only carbon and hydrogen). It cannot be dyed with any of the traditional dyes due to its chemical inertness. Therefore, dyes are added to the propylene fiber during the yarn-making process. Propylene carpets never fade, do not fade in the sun, do not wear out or build up static charge. The fibers in polypropylene carpets are smooth, and therefore dirt never penetrates into the structure of the thread itself. This enables the consumer, when using the necessary cleaning measures, to achieve the original appearance of the coating during the entire service life. However, polypropylene is not an ideal material. It, like any synthetics, has poor fire safety - it burns very easily and quickly.
Polypropylene is the only material that initially has antistatic properties, which allows it not to be treated with an antistatic agent (but as the fiber becomes dirty, it loses this property). The advantage of this material is also its low cost. Polypropylene is cheaper than polyamide, not to mention wool. Polypropylene carpets can be used in public places, but the density of the covering should be much higher, because polypropylene material is characterized by low crush resistance, which is compensated by high density.
Polyamide a (nylon) carpets
Polyamide fiber, the most common fiber used in carpet production, is the most expensive synthetic material. Its properties are laid down at the molecular level: elasticity, wear resistance, antistatic (in branded fibers). It dyes well, which allows you to create a wide range of colors. The properties of the fiber allow the use of various methods of processing yarn and pile, and, accordingly, the creation of various textures. Polyamide is used both in pure form and as an additive to other materials, such as wool or polypropylene.
Polyester products (polyester fiber)
Its properties are as close as possible to nylon, but cheaper to manufacture. Depending on the additives, polyester can be shiny or matte. In recent years, it has become widely used in hand-knitted long-pile carpets. The abundance of polyester yarns of various textures allows you to create all new textures in long-pile carpets. Thanks to the latest fiber processing technologies, the polyester bristles are easy to clean.
Acrylic rugs
Acrylic feels like wool. Medium abrasion resistance. The disadvantage of acrylic is the tendency to roll into rolls and carpets made of it require more frequent cleaning. The advantage of acrylic carpets over woolen carpets is that they are anti-allergenic with the same thermal conductivity as wool. Acrylic carpets are soft, pliable and do not wear out much. But due to the structure of the fibers, dirt tends to penetrate deep into the carpet. Therefore, these carpets need to be cleaned frequently.
Cotton in the carpets
Cotton has been used in carpets for as long as wool, but it has inferior properties compared to wool. Therefore, cotton carpets have a limited area of use, for example, bathroom rugs, where softness and high hygroscopicity (moisture absorption), which are characteristic of cotton, are very important. Cotton is used more in hand-made carpets, in warp and mixed pile.
Carpets made of viscose s
Viscose is a man-made fiber, not a synthetic one. Artificial fibers are not synthetics, but simply artificially processed natural raw materials. Viscose carpets look gorgeous, similar to silk, but cost much less. The pile of the carpet can be completely made of viscose, or it can be woven into a pattern against a background of wool or synthetics.
Silk in carpets
Unlike other materials, silk carpets are 100% resistant to shrinkage, creasing and the slightest change in shape. Of particular importance are the hygienic properties of silk carpets - non-flammability, non-flammability, absence of emission of harmful volatile substances, allergic action. Thus, silk carpets are absolutely safe!