Fabric and Fiber Insulation Specifications

Help with Fabric and Fiber Insulation specifications:

Textile Product Type

	Type:
	Your choices are...
	Fiber / Monofilament		Bulk chopped fibers or thin, continuous fiber filaments are used typically in composite reinforcement applications, flowable insulation or as the key component in woven fabrics, braids, knits, rope roving or other specialty fabrics.
	Strands / Multi-filament		Thin, continuous, multi-fiber filaments are used in composite reinforcement applications, or as the key components in woven fabrics, braids, knits, rope roving or other specialty fabrics.
	Roving / Yarn		Roving is made of tows, untwisted bundles of continuous filaments. Yarn is made of continuous, often plied strands of natural or man-made fibers or filaments.
	Thread		Thin, continuous threads or filaments are used for stitching or reinforcement. Monofilaments are used in reinforcement applications. Multi-fiber threads are used in sewing or stitching.
	Sleeving / Wrap		Sleeves or wraps are flexible, fibrous refractory products for insulating pipes, tubes, ducts, and other process components.
	Blanket / Batt		Blankets or batts (batting) are made of thick layers of woven and/or nonwoven fabric sheets.
	Woven Product		Woven products are used for composite tooling and the formation of structures. Continuous fibers are processed into two or three-dimensional structures by weaving fibers on a loom.
	Knitted Product		Knitted products consist of continuous fibers that are processed into a knitted structure with either two or three dimensions. Knitting provides a more conformable structure than weaving, which is valuable for contoured surfaces.
	Braided Product		Braided products are used for tubular composite structures, thermal insulation fabrics, and in other applications.
	Rope / Cordage		Products that are made from twisted or braided rope or cordage. Heat-insulating rope or braid is used to provide a thermal seal around doors or other openings in furnace walls.
	Webbing (Ribbon / Strap)		Products including woven ribbons, webbing, strapping or tape.
	Nonwoven Product		Nonwoven products are textile or fiber-based materials shaped into mats of randomly oriented fibers, felt, needle punched cloth, spun bound, or meltblown structures.
	Wet-laid / Air-laid Nonwoven		Wet-laid and air-laid nonwovens are made from short-cut fibers. They offer highly uniform structures with controlled porosity and smooth surfaces.
	Spunbond / Meltblown Nonwoven		Spunbond and meltblown nonwovens are made from continuous, extruded fibers. They are relatively inexpensive when compared to other nonwovens.  They also have high strength in the machine direction and many have very high absorbency.
	Carded / Needlepunched Nonwoven		Carded and needle punched nonwovens offer very high loft (low density) at very low cost.
	Specialty / Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary product types or forms.
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Material Type

	Material Type:
	Your choices are...
	Synthetic / Polymer		Synthetic products contain petroleum-based polymers and fibers.
	Acetate / Triacetate		Triacetate fibers contain a higher ratio of acetate-to-cellulose than acetate fibers. Triacetate fibers are shrink resistant and wrinkle resistant, and provide good pleat retention and a crisp finish. Applications include cigarette filters and women's wear.
	Acrylic / Modacrylic		Acrylic and modacrylic fibers are unique among synthetic fibers because they have an uneven surface. They provide outstanding wicking and quick-drying characteristics, and are chemically resistant, dyeable, and resistant to sunlight.
	Aramid		Polyimide (polyphthalamide) fibers such as DuPont’s Kevlar® are among the most thermally-stable organic materials. They are lighter and tougher than steel. Applications include protective garments, racing sails, sporting goods, etc.
	Elastomeric (Elastoester / Spandex)		Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by their high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation).  They are based on a variety of systems, including silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, neoprene, natural rubber or isoprene, and other synthetic compounds.
	Fluoropolymer		Polymers based on fluoropolymer chemical systems such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are used in applications requiring superior chemical resistance, thermal stability and low friction. Teflon®, a registered trademark of DuPont, is a common proprietary version of PTFE.
	Nylon / Polyamide		Polyamides, including nylon materials, are available in a large number of polymer structures with varying chemical and physical properties. In general, polyamides are exceptionally strong, elastic, abrasion resistant, lustrous, and resistant to damage from many chemicals. Polyamides are also resilient and low in moisture absorbency.
	Olefin / Polyolefin		Polyolefin is a broad category which encompasses several specific, linear polymer types, including polyethylene and polypropylene. Polyolefin fibers have a specific gravity below 1.0, a relatively low melting point, and are hydrophobic.
	PBI / PBO		Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is a synthetic fiber with no melting point and that does not ignite. It is used in high performance protective apparel. Poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) has similar characteristics.
	Polyester		Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polymers have a high strength-to-weight ratio and are the most widely-sold manufactured fiber. They are used in all types of clothing and home furnishings, and as a reinforcing fiber in tires, belts and hoses.
	Polyethylene / HDPE		Olefin fibers that are based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) have good friction and mechanical properties, but relatively low thermal stability. They are used to reinforce hoses and power belts, and in athletic and automotive equipment. A high-strength, high-density olefin fiber has been developed that is ten times stronger than steel.
	Polypropylene		Polypropylene fibers are characterized by their resistance to moisture and chemicals. They can be modified with additives, variations in the polymer, and the use of different process conditions. Most polypropylene fibers are abrasion resistant, colorfast, quick drying, low static, chemically resistant, thermally bondable, stain and soil resistant, and UV resistant.
	PPS / Sulfur		Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a specialty fiber characterized by remarkable resistance to thermal and chemical attack, as well as outstanding resistance to heat, solvents, acids and alkalis, mildew, aging, UV light, and abrasion.
	Rayon / Lycocell		Rayon, and its newer relative lyocell, feature fibers that are soft, strong, and absorbent. Rayon and lycocell can be fibrillated to produce special textures that provide excellent wet strength and good drapability. Both materials are biodegradable.
	Styrenic / SAN		Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) fibers offer better general chemical resistance than polystyrene and are cheaper than acrylic fibers. SAN-based fibers afford a good combination of rigidity, strength, toughness and transparency; however, SAN is less transparent than acrylic and has inferior UV resistance compared to acrylic.
	PVC / Vinyl (Vinyon / Vinal)		Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl-based fibers soften at low temperatures, but are highly resistant to chemicals. They are most commonly used in industrial applications as a bonding agent for non-woven fabrics and products.
	Natural (Cotton, Wool, etc.)		Natural fibers are made from any of various shrubby plants of the genus gossypium. They are used to make textiles and other products.
	Cotton		Cotton fibers are soft, natural fibers that grow around the seeds of the cotton plant.
	Leather / Hide		Materials are raw or dressed animal skins. Typically, large and heavy skins are used.
	Hemp		Hemp is a natural fiber made from the plant Cannabis sativa. It is used in cordage, clothing, food products, and composites.
	Jute		Jute is a natural fiber made from the Asian plants Corchorus capsularis or C. olitorius. It is used for sacking and cordage.
	Linen / Flax		Linen is a material made from the fibers of the flax plant.
	Silk		Silk is a fine, lustrous fiber produced by certain types of insect larvae to form cocoons. The strong, elastic, fibrous secretions of silkworms are used to make fabric and thread.
	Wool		Wool is the the dense, soft, often curly hair which forms the coat of sheep and certain other mammals, such as the goat and alpaca. Wool consists of cylindrical fibers of keratin covered by minute, overlapping scales. Wool is valued as a textile fiber.
	Mineral / Glass Wool		Mineral wool includes slag wool (slag from a metallurgical furnace), rock wool (mineral-derived), or glass wool (sand- or glass-derived), depending upon the raw material from which it is produced. Mineral wool is manufactured by blowing air or steam, or spinning filaments from a molten mass of raw material through a molten blast furnace slag (slag wool), molten rock (rock wool), or molten sand or glass (glass wool). The resultant fibers are then collected as a tangled mat of fibrous product. Mineral wool is often derived from a calcium silicate mineral.
	Glass / Fiberglass		Glass wool is manufactured by the process of blowing air/steam or spinning filaments from a molten mass of sand or glass (glass wool). The resultant fibers are subsequently collected as an entangled matt of fibrous product which exhibit excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance.  Products afford superior thermal, electrical and acoustical insulation properties.
	E-glass		E-glass is the most inexpensive glass fiber and is used when strength and high electrical resistivity are required. S-glass is approximately 30% higher in strength than E-glass and has better properties at elevated temperatures. E-glass has high fiber strength relative to carbon and aramid (~500 Ksi), and relatively low fiber modulus (~10.5 Msi).
	S-glass		S-glass® is approximately 30% higher in strength, significantly more expensive, and has better properties at elevated temperatures than E-glass. The "S" designation, a registered trademark of Owens Corning, stands for strength. Other, similar products are designated as Te-glass or R-glass.
	Rock Wool		Rock wool is manufactured by blowing air or steam, or by spinning filaments from a molten mass of raw material through molten rock. The resultant fibers are then collected as an entangled mat of fibrous product. Rock wool is often fibrous and derived from a calcium silicate mineral.
	Slag Wool		Slag wool is manufactured by the blowing air or steam, or by spinning filaments from a molten mass of raw material through a molten blast-furnace slag. The resultant fibers are then collected as an entangled mat of fibrous product.
	Ceramic		Ceramic textiles, ceramic fibers or fibrous refractory thermal insulation products consist of ceramic fibers in bulk, fiberboard, paper or rope forms. Some fibrous ceramic products have an organic binder that burns off in the furnace during end-use application. Other products may include a ceramic or high- temperature binder that forms or remains after exposure to high temperatures. Loose or bulk fibrous and other fibrous insulation products may not have any binders.  Ceramics are hard, brittle, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing a nonmetallic mineral, such as clay, at high temperature. Ceramics usually fracture before plastic deformation occurs. Consequently, failure is usually catastrophic compared to that of metals; however, ceramics have very high compressive strength.
	Alumina		Alumina (aluminum oxide) is a white, ceramic material with high hardness. Fully-dense alumina can be translucent. Alumina is used widely because of its versatility and relatively low cost. Alumina's main drawback is its relatively poor thermal shock resistance because of its higher coefficients of thermal expansion and lower thermal conductivity when compared to other, pure ceramic materials such as silicon carbide (SiC).
	Boron		Boron fibers are often available in monofilament form. They are used to provide structural reinforcement in composites.
	Carbon / Graphite		Carbon is a non-metallic element with an extremely high sublimation temperature and a wide variety of crystalline structure forms. Carbon is available as amorphous/vitreous carbon, pyrolytic graphite, hexagonal graphite, diamond or diamond-like carbon. To prevent oxidation at elevated temperatures, carbon without a protective coating is used in reducing or vacuum atmospheres.
	Quartz / Fused Silica		Fused silica is a compound of silicon and oxygen. Quartz and high-purity amorphous-fused silica afford very low expansion, remarkable thermal shock resistance, low thermal conductivity, excellent electrical insulation up to 1000° C, and excellent resistance to corrosion from molten metal.
	Silicon Carbide		Silicon carbide (SiC) is a ceramic material with high hardness. It is usually harder than alumina and, depending on the addition of impurities, is green or black in color. Silicon carbide is used to form a protective layer that prevents further oxidation at very high temperatures in non-reducing atmospheres. Silicon carbide has a relatively high thermal shock resistance compared to other ceramic materials. This is due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity.
	Zirconia		Zirconia (zirconium oxide) is an extremely refractory compound. It often contains additions of calcia, magnesia or yttria for the formation and stabilization of a cubic structure that minimizes cracking and mechanical weakening during heating and cooling. Zirconia is used in wear applications that require improved fracture-toughness and greater stiffness than alumina can provide. Zirconia ceramics possess excellent chemical inertness and corrosion resistance at temperatures well above the melting point of alumina. Because it is more expensive zirconia is used mainly in applications that are not suitable for alumina. Zirconia has low thermal conductivity and is an electrical conductor above 800° C.
	Metallic		Metal fibers have a shiny surface, high density, ductility, high melting point, high hardness, and high thermal and electrical conductivity.
	Specialty / Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary materials.
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Dimensions

	Fiber Denier		Denier is a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers. It is defined as the mass in grams (g) per 9000 meters (m). Filament denier is defined as the mass per 9000 m of a single filament of fiber. Total denier is also defined as the mass per 9000 m, but applies to filament agglomerations such as yarn.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Fabric Weight		Fabric weight is the weight per unit area of woven or non-woven fabric, textile or cloth.
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	Overall Thickness		Overall thickness is measured with a gauge that contains two flat cylinders for a relevant sample area and a spring-loaded mechanism for a consistent, applied pressure.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Overall Width / OD		Overall width or outer diameter (OD) is the cut width of a roll of fabric or textile material.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Overall Length		Fabrics and textiles are sold in roll form at varying lengths, many in excess of one mile.
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Properties

	Use Temperature		Use temperature is the maximum temperature at which fibers can be used continuously, without the degradation of structural or other required end-use properties.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Fabric Strength		Fabric strength is the load per inch-width that a fabric can withstand before breaking.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Breaking Strength / Load		Breaking strength is the maximum tensile load or force that a rope, cord, webbing or fabric will hold before breaking. Breaking strength is multiplied by a safety factor to determine the actual operating or working load of the rope or textile product.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Thermal Conductivity		Thermal conductivity is the linear heat transfer per unit area through a material for a given applied temperature gradient. Heat flux (h) = [thermal conductivity (k) ] x [temperature gradient (Δ T)]
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Electrical Resistivity		Resistivity is the longitudinal electrical resistance (ohm-cm) of a uniform rod of unit length and unit cross-sectional area. Resistivity is the inverse of conductivity.
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Applications

	Applications
	Your choices are...
	Aerospace		Aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, rockets and other aerospace structures are subjected to high loads and demanding environmental conditions.
	Apparel / Clothing		Products are suitable for clothing, especially outer garments that protect individuals from extreme thermal, chemical or other damaging conditions. Textiles for protective clothing have additional, specialized properties to protect individuals from heat, chemicals, ballistics, etc.
	Architectural / Construction		Fibers and textiles are used in construction and architectural applications as insulation, structural panels, etc.
	Automotive / Transportation		Textile and fabric products are designed or suitable for automotive or transportation applications such as insulation from heat and noise, molded components, fuel and air filtration, etc.
	Battery / Fuel Cell		There are many types of batteries and fuel cells, but all are based upon electrochemical principles. Textiles and fabrics are used to separate electrodes, or as electrode components.
	Chemical Process		Fabrics and textiles are suitable for chemical processing applications due to their high temperature and/or corrosion resistance.
	Cleaning Wipes / Wicking		There are many textiles and fabrics suitable for use as cleaning materials and wipes.  High absorbency is a significant property and many types are non-linting. These products provide a sponge-like action and the ability to wick up or absorb water, ink or other liquids. The wicking and reservoir characteristics are used in dispensing, coating and printing applications. These materials need to be hydrophilic if water or a water-based liquid is to be absorbed.
	Electrical / Electronics		Fibrous ceramics or refractories are used to fabricate electrical parts such as insulators, igniters or heating elements.
	EMI / RFI Shielding		Polymers or other materials are designed to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI). These materials may contain ferromagnetic or conductive filler.
	Filtration		Porous materials are suitable for separating particulate matter from a fluid or gas stream. Products must be resistant to the fluid, gas or other media passing through the filter. The pore size determines the size of the particles that can be eliminated, as well as the flow rate through the filter.
	Fire Proofing / Thermal Protection		Fabrics and textiles are designed to protect against fire by providing a heat barrier or non-combustible, refractory layer. Products are used to protect materials and people from high temperatures and debris resulting from welding processes.
	Geotextile		These ground stabilization fabrics have high tensile strength at low elongations. They reduce maintenance costs and improve the performance of paved and unpaved surfaces. Ground stabilization fabrics minimize rutting and prevent intermixing of the aggregate with the soft soils below.
	Home Furnishings / Carpeting		Products are designed for consumer, mattress, and seating or furniture applications.
	HVAC		Materials are designed for the construction or insulation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components.
	Industrial OEM		Products are designed or suitable for integration with components or products from original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
	Marine		Fabrics and textiles are used to construct composite ship hulls, structures and sails. They are also used as insulation, panels, air filtration devices and other components on commercial vessels.
	Medical		Products are suitable for medical or healthcare applications such as wound care, surgical support, filtration, defoaming, patient positioning and cushioning support.
	Packaging / Material Handling		Products are designed or suitable for packaging applications such as insulating, cushioning or protecting products.
	Papermaking / Machine Clothing		Certain high strength, chemically resistant and durable fabrics are produced expressly for use in the manufacture of paper.
	Static / ESD Control		Products control static or electrostatic discharge (ESD) to prevent damage to sensitive electronics. Often these products contain conductive filler that dissipates the static charge to the ground.
	Other		Other unlisted, proprietary or specialty features.
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Features

	Performance Features
	Your choices are...
	Flame Retardant		Products reduce the spread of flames or resist ignition when exposed to high temperature, or insulate the substrate and delay damage.  A UL 94 rating indicates that the material is flame retardant in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Flame Class 94V-0 or other equivalent ISO standards.
	Chemical / Fuel Resistant		Materials are designed to resist damage caused by acids, alkalis, general chemicals, fuel and oils. These materials are used to seal fuel or oil tanks.
	Cut Resistant / Bullet Proof		Products are designed to absorb mechanical energy in order to protect components, structures, people and products from severe impacts, explosions, bullets, cutting knifes, saw blades, projectiles, shrapnel or other dynamic releases of kinetic energy. Puncture and cut-resistant fabrics are used in protective clothing and armor systems.
	Weather / UV Resistant		Plastic or elastomer foams are resistant to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight. Some non-UV resistant foam will crack, yellow or degrade on exposure to UV light. Weather resistant materials can withstand exposure to the elements, such as wind, rain, snow dust, humidity, heat, cold and other weather conditions.
	Hydrophilic / Absorbent		The surfaces of hydrophilic materials can be wet by water. They are often used when high absorbency (many times the basis weight of the material) is important.
	Hydrophobic/Waterproof		Waterproof materials do not dissolve or degrade when exposed to water. The fabric may still absorb water if the product is hydrophilic and has open porosity.
	UL Approved / Listed		Materials meet applicable standards from Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL).
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	Structural Features
	Your choices are...
	Thermal Bond		Many fabrics can be strengthened by the addition of heat to fuse adjacent fibers.  Often, pressure is applied to enhance the bond strength.
	Microfiber		Microfibers are extremely fine synthetic or natural fibers that can be incorporated into textiles to provide the texture and drape of natural-fiber cloth, but with enhanced washability, breathability, and water repellency. Fine fibers produce structures with much smaller pore sizes for superior filtration.
	Blended Fiber Structure		Yarn, cloth or textile products are manufactured from a mixture of two or more different type of fibers.
	Copolymer / Bicomponent		Copolymers are a combination of two or more polymers at the fiber level. They are produced via a co-polymerization process, or by co-spinning two different polymer melts.
	Chemical Bond/Binder Addition		Fabrics and textiles are made from chopped fiber and strengthened with the addition of a chemical binder (acrylic, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.), or by subjecting the material to a chemical (acid or solvent).
	Hydroentanglement		Fabrics can be strengthened and/or softened by impinging the material with a high velocity water jet.
	Coated / Sized		Products are coated, filled or sized fibers, strands, mats, cloth or fabric.
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