Fibres, flocks, and powders are used in a wide range of industrial applications, from building to battery manufacture.
But with so many different fibres to choose from, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start.
We’ve put together a quick guide to industrial fibres to help you decide which fibre product is right for your manufacturing process.
Synthetic fibres
Acrylic
Acrylic is very versatile and durable, which means that it’s used in a wide range of applications. Key characteristics of acrylic include rigidity, resistance to most solvents and chemicals, high resistance to heat and burning, and impermeability to gases. It can also act as a moisture buffer, which helps to regulate the drying profile of a formulation, preventing over-drying or cracking.
Aramid
Aramid is both strong and heat-resistant, and so is commonly used in military and industrial applications. Benefits include extremely high strength, durability, resistance to solvents and chemicals, and low flammability.
Modacrylic
Modacrylic is a soft, strong, and resilient material. One of its main uses is in the manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE) and filters. Modacrylic’s characteristics include low density, softness, good dispersion, high environmental resistance, flame retardancy, and great resistance to chemicals and solvents.
Nylon
Nylon can be found in a wide range of products and applications, from fabrics to paper to cosmetics. It is durable, soft, and sunlight and sun damage resistant, as well as having a high melting point and good elasticity and elastic recovery.
Polyester
Polyester fibres and powders can be used as the main material in a product, or can be added alongside other materials to increase performance. Polyester is widely used in manufacture of many products because it has high tensile strength, resistance to stretching and shrinkage, stain resistance, and invulnerability to most chemicals, acids, and alkalis.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene (PE) is a type of plastic that’s used in a wide range of applications. It’s popular because it’s very flexible, has high impact strength, is resistant to chemicals and solvents, and doesn’t absorb any water.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is a type of plastic used in a lot of different manufacturing settings due to its versatility, toughness, and resistance to heat and chemicals. It is also very flexible, has low density, and is fatigue resistant.
Natural fibres
Cotton
Although cotton is perhaps most commonly associated with textiles, it actually has a host of other applications. For example, it is used to reinforce friction products, as a filler in adhesives and epoxy resin systems, and as an additive to coatings and sealants. Cotton has good dye affinity, softness, dimensional stability, strength, good hypoallergenic properties, neutral pH, and high moisture regulation, making it perfect as an additive in many industrial manufacturing processes. What’s more, it is a less expensive and an eco-friendlier alternative to synthetic materials.
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from regenerated wood, cotton, hemp, and other natural sources and is often used to produce paperboard and paper. Its main characteristics are its strength, durability, and impermeability to air, water, bacteria, grease, and oil. What’s more, cellulose is anti-static, glossy, and easy to dye.
Fruit Stone
Fruit stones are used in many industries and products, such as cosmetics, construction, and paints and coatings. Fruit stones can be made into grit or powder, which provides good abrasive qualities whether they’re used to exfoliate the skin or provide grip to paints and coatings. There are lots of different varieties of fruit stone, and it is a popular material due to it being natural, plastic-free, and eco-friendly.
Hemp
Hemp is a fast growing and hardy plant that doesn’t require insecticides, pesticides, or toxic bleaching. This makes its fibres popular in many commercial applications. Hemp’s main characteristics are that it’s slow to decompose, keeps its colour, is strong and long-lasting, has high tear resistance, and is fully recyclable.
PLA
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester which has good form stability, high glass transition temperatures, and good visual transparency. Although it is biodegradable, it stands apart from other biodegradable materials because it has great chemical, moisture, and thermal resistance, which means that it retains good characteristics in a range of environments. PLA can also be accurately cut to very specific sizes.
Silk
Silk is extremely soft and smooth, as well as having few impurities, low density, high absorbency, and hypoallergenic properties. It is used in beauty products, medical applications, bicycle tyres, and industrial settings. It is also naturally high in protein, which is added to thickening shampoos and conditioners.
Viscose Rayon
Viscose rayon is a fantastic alternative to other natural fibres like silk and wool. This is because it can be made to imitate the texture of other materials due to its supreme versatility. Viscose rayon has a high lustre and sheen, high moisture absorbency, good volume building abilities, and great dye affinity. It is also made from renewable natural materials and is 100% biodegradable.
Wool
Wool is one of the most widely used fibres across a wide range of different industries and applications. This is because it’s natural, renewable, and has a lot of fantastic characteristics. These characteristics include high density, high strength and durability, and being easy to dye. It is also rich is keratin, has excellent moisture retention, and naturally holds it charge, making it a good volumizer and a popular addition to hair thickening shampoos.
Ecofloc (Modified Cellulose Acetate)
Ecofloc is a modified cellulose acetate unique to Goonvean Fibres. It combines the benefits of cellulose with complete biodegradability. Unlike other biodegradable options, it has improved wet strength, corner strength, thermal stability, and moisture control and absorbance. This makes it a powerful addition to many products.
Coir
Coir is a natural coconut fibre that is eco-friendly, plastic-free, and renewable. It is resistant to saltwater damage, waterproof, and durable. Coir also has naturally good filtration properties and is microporous, making it a good addition to filtration systems.
Why use fibres in manufacture?
Adding fibres to your products during the manufacturing process can make for a better, more stable, and more durable end result. This is because you can use the benefits of specific fibres to superpower your base materials.
For example, using synthetic fibres in concrete or architectural projects can vastly improve the tensile strength, crack-resistance, and safety of the finished structure. To find out more about how our fibres, flocks, and powders can improve and enhance your products, please get in touch with our team today.