Tufted FabricsPresentation #14.ppt

What are tufted fabrics and what are they used for? Fabrics formed by stitching yarns through a backing Woven Non-woven Stitched yarns provide a 3rd dimension Face Yarns Must be anchored in or else will pull out. What are tufted fabrics and what are they used for? Uses Carpets and rugs Upholstery fabric (give ribs similar to corduroy) Why? Less expensive than the woven fabrics that they are meant to replace Production rates Yarn preparation How is it done? Components of a tufted carpet Pile Primary backing Adhesive/filler Secondary backing Pile Yarn that appears on the face of the fabric Varies in both loop type (looped or cut) and height Fiber types Nylon (most common) Polypropylene (common in Europe) Polyester Wool Cotton Silk (rare) The pile makes up about 60% of the fabric weight and is the major cost item. Fiber types Nylon Both 6 and 6,6, but 6,6 more common Excellent wear and resiliency “Carpets don’t wear out, the ‘ugly’ out.” Susceptible to stain Hydrophilic Oleophilic Static discharge Polypropylene Good wear Poor resiliency Inexpensive Difficult to stain with water-borne stains (wine, Kool-Aid?, etc.) Static discharge Fiber types Polyester Good wear Fair resiliency Hydrophobic Static discharge Wool Good resiliency Prone to wear out Hydrophilic Susceptible to attack by micro macro organisms Fibers Cotton Fair resiliency Fair-to-good wear Hydrophilic Generally used for inexpensive carpets and rugs Silk Expensive Hydrophilic Rare (used often for wall hanging) Primary backing Fabric that tufts are stitched through Woven Jute Polypropylene Nonwoven (random generally) Polypropylene Nylon Polyester Used in inexpensive carpeting and upholstery Makes up approximately 5% of the carpet weight Adhesive Usually latex-based Filled with calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Anchors the tufts into the primary backing Gives carpet its ‘hand’ and makes up about 30% of the weight. Secondary Backing Optional—in some less expensive carpets the secondary backing is eliminated entirel