FIBERS

Most of the carpet we come into contact with in todays commercial use are Nylon. In the United States Nylon represent 75% of the carpet in use today. Then Polypropylene (Olefin) 14%, Polyester 6%, Wool 3%, Acrylics 1% and Cotton and Rayon 1%.

The major fibers being used in the broadloom carpet today really consist of five basic types. Listed in their order of moisture absorption they are as follows….

Obviously, staining is partly a function of the moisture absorption capacity of a fiber. Polyester, Acrylic, Nylon, and Wool is the order of increasing absorption so that stains cling less to Polypropylene.

The prime performance factors for carpet fibers are….

1. Wear or durability
2. Resistance to crushing
3. Soil resistance
4. Spot and stain resistance
5. Wet cleanability (Pattern retention)
6. Flammability
7. Resistance to static build up
8. Mildew resistance