Olefin fabric is known to be a lightweight, yet tough fabric, which takes away moisture from the skin and is stain-resistant. These properties give this fabric an absolute advantage over many other fabrics that are available in the market today. This HomeQuicks post lists out facts and information about the resilient olefin fabric.
Then and Now
Olefin fibers were produced in as early as 1957 in Italy. This production was followed by the United States in the year 1960. Currently, this fiber makes up about 16% of the total fiber production.
The olefin fiber used for making this fabric is sometimes called P2, which is short for polypropylene or polyethylene. It is manufactured by polymerizing these two compounds in the presence of certain catalysts. Olefin is known to have a moderate shine and suave texture. The best thing about this fabric is its low cost of manufacturing and environmental friendliness as compared to other fabrics.
This fabric is manufactured by melting its polymers to convert them into liquid form. This liquid is then made to pass through a ‘spinneret’, a machine that lets the liquid through a series of fine holes. The liquid on passing through these small holes turns into long-length fibers.
Olefin fabric doesn’t pose any static electricity problems to the user in most of the normal situations. It is strong enough and doesn’t wear off easily. Besides this, it also has a very low value of specific gravity, which makes it a good choice amongst thousands of other fabrics. Continue reading to know more about the durability, advantages, and disadvantages of this fabric.
Advantages
▣ It offers high resistance to abrasion.
▣ This fabric dries rapidly. It is also efficient at absorbing sweat and moisture from the skin.
▣ It is comfortable to wear or use.
▣ Olefin fabric can be altered as per our choice. This is mainly applicable to the shininess and the texture of the fabric.
▣ It is a lightweight fiber having high strength and a long life.
▣ Olefin fabric retains its color and doesn’t fade.
▣ It can easily be shaped and molded. It is also known for retaining its shape and appearance.
▣ It is available in a wide variety of colors as compared to other fiber yarns.
▣ This fabric is resistant to mold, chemicals, or any weather conditions.
▣ Olefin fabric is waterproof unlike other fabrics.
Disadvantages
▣ Olefin fabric can get affected by extreme sunlight. However, steps have been taken to curb this problem by adding stabilizers to this fiber while processing it.
▣ It doesn’t readily absorb moisture due to its low absorbency rate.
▣ It is known to have a low melting point; thus, the degree of its use in clothing gets restricted to some extent.
Uses
It finds its uses in automobile or vehicle interiors, non-woven fabrics, carpets, fences, upholstery, clothing, panels, ropes, automotive parts, industrial products, etc. It does find its applications in clothing and apparels, although at a minimal level.
What Does Olefin Fabric Feel Like?
Olefin fabric is colorless and imparts a wax-like feel to the touch. It has a circular cross-section. This fabric feels new even after long use as it is a resilient fabric. Being stain-resistant, it keeps stains away from its surface.
How to Care for Olefin Fabric
┗ Make sure you wash the olefin clothing or fabric in lukewarm or cold water with a mild detergent.
┗ In order to dry this fabric in a laundry drier, adjust the settings to tumble or line drying. In any case, prevent the fabric from getting heated up.
┗ In case you wish to iron the fabric, make sure the iron temperature settings are set to low. However, it is best to avoid ironing the fabric.
┗ It can be bleached with a mild bleaching agent if desired.
Olefin is one of the strongest fabrics. In addition to this, its strength can also be further altered to suit any particular purpose. The production of this fiber leaves behind minimal wastes and residues, thus, making it a suitable fabric for most purposes.