Material flock: description, types and scope

The material of flock is considered to be the most popular upholstery today. The flock has gained a great liking from consumers due to high performance characteristics and properties along with low-cost production and low cost of the fabric itself.

What is this material?

Flock is a non-woven fabric with a fleecy surface on the front side. Most often flock fabrics are used in the furniture industry (upholstery upholstery), in the automotive industry (upholstery of car interiors), in the production of soft toys, household goods and decorative products.

How is it produced

1. At the initial stage, the pile is cut. For this, various technologies are used.
2. Pile staining is carried out. However, it can be painted before cutting.
3. The pile is processed and activated. Thanks to the use of reagents, each villus receives a certain electrical conductivity. This is done for the purpose that the villi properly lie on a grounded textile base in the next stage.
4. Vorsinki are sprayed onto the substrate. To do this, a thin layer of adhesive is applied to the fabric base, the material moves along the machine, and the particles of the pile are uniformly poured onto it. The electrostatic field allows electrified villi to fall on the substrate in a strictly vertical position, tightly pressing against each other.
5. Fastening. The resulting flock material is treated with a special composition to improve the performance and shine.

Which has the varieties

There are different types of flock fabrics, which differ in height and density of pile, density and thickness. It is from the qualitative characteristics that the scope of the material depends.

• Cotton flock. It has a low wear resistance, that is, it quickly abrades and loses its presentable appearance. In addition, it absorbs moisture well. Therefore, this material is not used for furniture. Its use is most acceptable as a packaging material, since the price of such a fabric is very affordable.
• Viscose flock. Has a thin and soft structure. In addition, the material is easy to color, which makes it possible to obtain various patterns and tones. However, in furniture production, it is practically not used, except that only for making interior pillows.
• Polyamide flock. Excellent as an upholstery material. It is soft to the touch and instantly restores its appearance after the load. It has a high degree of wear resistance, it is well dyed and attractive externally. The only drawback of this material is the propensity to burn out. Therefore, furniture, upholstered with polyamide flock, it is recommended to put it away from the window.
• Polyester flock. In its characteristics is similar to the previous representative. The difference lies in the fact that such a fabric is difficult to color, has high water-repellent properties and is resistant to burnout.
• Flock of carbon fibers. Its innovative production technology has a number of advantages, but has not yet been fully explored.
• Mixture flock. To date, the optimal ratio is nylon pile and the base, consisting of a mixture of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. This kind of flock has high operational properties, therefore it is used widely enough.

Application in the production of flock villi of different length allows you to obtain a three-dimensional and relief fabric, which is characterized by increased strength and durability. Such material was called "flock on the flock."

Than so good material flock

• Flock fabric is one of the most practical and wear-resistant. It is resistant to ultraviolet light and is not afraid of temperature differences. The material does not wipe with time and does not lend itself to deformation. Some collections of flock fabrics are so strong that they are not inferior to natural leather for durability, and sometimes even surpass it.
• It has unique anti-vandal properties, due to which soft furniture will be reliably protected from claws of domestic animals.
• Not afraid of moisture. Drops of water that fall on the fabric from the flock will be retained on the surface and not absorbed. This feature is valuable not only for upholstered furniture, but also for the car interior, because such things are difficult to dry.
• It is well cleaned. Any stains without a trace can be removed with a detergent. Therefore, the flock, the material for the sofa, will be an excellent solution if the house is inhabited by children.
• Leaves air.
• Pleasant to the touch. The material has a soft texture and remains warm at any room temperatures.
• Easy to care for. Care for furniture from flock is not more difficult than for furniture made of genuine leather.
• It is convenient to work with upholstery. Thanks to the fact that the material of the upholstery of the flock fit well on furniture, it is to the liking of many masters.
• Affordable price. In the presence of such weighty advantages, the flock remains at the average price level among the remaining upholstery materials.

A little about the shortcomings

The material of the flock has the property of accumulating static electricity, so that such soft furniture tends to attract dust and debris. Afraid of exposure to alcohol-containing substances.