Fleece

Synthetic polyester fleece comes in a variety of fabric options, differing in density, fiber composition and hairiness.

Density differences

The density of the material can vary between 100-600 g/m². Depending on these indicators, it is divided into several types:

• Microfleece is a fabric whose density does not exceed 100 g/m². It is suitable for sewing linen and bedding.
• Polar fleece is slightly denser than microfleece. Leggings, thermal underwear, and light sweatshirts are made from it.
• Medium-density fleece material – 200 g/m². It is widely used in the production of children's clothing.
• Thick fleece – 300 g/m², ideal for winter clothing.
• Ultra-thick fleece has a density of 400-600 g/m². It is used in the manufacture of workwear and tourist equipment.

Differences in fiber composition

Synthetic knitwear is created on the basis of polyester, but to give it various properties, other materials are added to it, and they are also made multi-layered.

• The addition of Lycra makes the fabric more form-fitting and improves durability.
• Spandex adds elasticity.
• Fleece consisting of an insulating layer and a moisture or windproof layer is called bipolar fleece. It is great for warm outerwear.
• Windblock is a three-layer fabric, the inner layer is windproof, the outer and inner layers are thin fleece. It is used to make children's insulated outerwear and overalls.

History of fabric creation

The word fleece, translated from English, originally meant sheep or goat wool. In the late 70s, the famous American company Malden Mills was engaged in scientific developments for the production of new modern fabric. As planned, it was supposed to have all the advantages of natural fabrics and, at the same time, be inexpensive and accessible to the general public. In 1979, such material was invented, it also began to be called fleece. Only this type of knitwear was completely synthetic, and the raw material for its production was cheap virgin or recycled plastic.

The properties and characteristics of the new fabric exceeded the expectations of many. For a long time it was believed that synthetic materials could never outperform natural ones. But the invention of fleece turned out to be a real breakthrough in the field of advanced technology. For their work, the creators of a new type of knitwear received the Nobel Prize.

Production technology

Main stages:

1. Obtaining a homogeneous knitted synthetic fabric. Depending on further areas of application, it can be of varying degrees of density. This process is similar to fine felting wool.
2. Steam and heat treatment of the resulting textiles.
3. Pulling lint from dense fabric to create a terry or fluffy comb effect. These actions are performed by special devices with numerous hooks.
4. Anti-pilling impregnation to prevent the formation of “pellets”.

Additionally, the material can be coated with water-repellent compound or antibacterial layer, as well as antistatic.

Where is fleece fabric used?

Initially, this material was used for the manufacture of sports and specialized clothing, equipment, and thermal underwear. The tourism industry has benefited greatly from this. Heavy tents and sleeping bags are a thing of the past, and tracksuits have become almost weightless.

Now fleece fabric has taken a strong place in teenage and youth fashion. These are all kinds of hats, scarves, sweatshirts, mittens and gloves, leggings. This includes outerwear: coats, jackets, windbreakers.

It’s rare that someone doesn’t have a blanket, blanket, robe or fleece pajamas in their home. And it’s hard to imagine children’s overalls, suits and hats without this material.

Advantages of fleece fabric

Despite the fact that fleece is a completely synthetic knitwear, many people prefer it to natural materials. The positive properties of this canvas are difficult to list. Here are the main ones:

1. The fabric retains heat perfectly. It is soft and fluffy, pleasant to the touch.
2. This knitwear has good elasticity, fits the body pleasantly, but does not constrain it.
3. The skin in such clothes “breathes” because fleece has a special structure; between its fibers there is a large air layer.
4. The fabric is very easy to care for: it washes well, dries quickly and does not need to be ironed.
5. Synthetic compound This knitwear does not cause allergies, therefore it is preferable for children's clothing and toys.
6. Fleece products are very light and compact and take up little space in your luggage. This is important when traveling or hiking.
7. With proper care, clothes made from this fabric can last a long time. Fungi and mold, dust mites or moths will not settle in it.
8. Due to the cheapness and availability of raw materials, fleece material is relatively inexpensive.

Synthetic fleece also has negative fabric properties, but there are very few of them. There are only 3 main disadvantages:

1. The appearance of “pellets” on the surface of products. This usually happens with cheap materials that have not undergone anti-pilling treatment.
2. Electricity in clothes not treated with antistatic agents.
3. Easy flammability of the material.

If desired, these shortcomings can be eliminated by independently treating the products with a protective composition. But it’s better to pay attention to quality when purchasing.

Rules for caring for fleece products

1. This fabric can be washed with mild detergents in a washing machine at a temperature not exceeding 40 ° on a delicate cycle. The spin should also be gentle. Machine drying is contraindicated.
2. When washing by hand, do not apply active mechanical force to the product. To avoid stretching and loss of shape, it should not be twisted.
3. It does not need to be ironed. After washing and drying, it will return to its straightened state. It cannot tolerate high temperatures.
4. Under no circumstances should bleaches or aggressive stain removers be used.