There are no set qualifications that make a certain fabric
suitable to be used outdoors rather than indoors. There are, however certain specifications
that as a collective group render a textile more suitable to be used on outdoor
applications. The textile must be
solution dyed, exhibit high lightfastness, and must be mildew resistant. Without these three basic qualities the
textile will be unable to withstand nature’s elements.
The solution dye process is when the pigment or dye is added
into the spinning solution/polymer before it is forced through the spinneret,
dispersing the color evenly throughout the fiber and producing excellent
colorfastness and consistency (http://www.contracttextiles.org/index.php?page=s). Since the solution dye process produces such
superior colorfastness it plays a crucial role in the integrity of the finished
textile will determine what types of fibers can and cannot be used. Natural fibers cannot be solution dyed for
obvious reasons; therefore only manufactured fibers can be used. Nylon, acrylic or polypropelene and polyester
are all examples of fibers that can be solution dyed.
Lightfastness is just what it seems it is. Lightfastness is a textile’s degree of
resistance to exposure to sunlight (http://www.contracttextiles.org/index.php?page=l). In other words the lightfastness term refers
to how well a certain textile retains its color when continually exposed to
sunlight. Once again it is clear why a
textile must be solution dyed to begin with.
Lastly the textile must be mildew resistant. Mildew resistance is a fabric’s ability to resist mold and mildew. Fabric can be chemically treated so that the performance characteristics are not adversely affected if the fabric is exposed to moisture for long periods of time (http://www.contracttextiles.org/index.php?page=m). Another way to achieve mildew resistance is to extrapolate silver’s natural anti-microbial properties and integrate it within fibers to be used in outdoor applications as well as in medical textiles and even your workout garments.
###
Released On: 6/29/2015
Views: 7020
Released On: 6/25/2015
Views: 7782
Released On: 5/8/2015
Views: 7422
Ruth Adler Schnee, a Design Pioneer, Wins 50K Kresge Prize. Ruth Adler Schnee is one of those people that have lived through a great deal of adversity and have come out on top.
Released On: 2/16/2015
Views: 7434
Released On: 2/3/2015
Views: 8719
Released On: 1/6/2015
Views: 6840
Anzea’s new Retro Modern Collection from Anzea Textiles is now available as the holidays are getting kicking off. The collection of contract upholstery fabrics features two new designs and two brand-new coated fabrics.
Released On: 12/5/2014
Views: 5272
Released On: 7/9/2014
Views: 5250
Released On: 5/29/2014
Views: 5317
Released On: 5/7/2014
Views: 7640
Released On: 4/23/2014
Views: 6715
Released On: 3/31/2014
Views: 5916
Released On: 3/17/2014
Views: 6953
Released On: 3/7/2014
Views: 5641
Released On: 2/28/2014
Views: 5560
Released On: 2/20/2014
Views: 5568
Released On: 2/13/2014
Views: 5593