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Felt
WOOLLEN
FELTS: When natural fibres are compressed with heat and moisture they
fuse together to form a solid material without a bonding agent. By
repetition and variation of the pressure and with heat and moisture
applied, felt can be made harder and thicker as required.
Where the application demands high qualities of compression, elasticity,
resistance to ageing and wear, high absorption and low abrasion, woollen
or blended wool felts are usually specified.
Within each density range, Munsch & Co stock many qualities, each
has specific features and numerous finishes are available. We will be
pleased to advise you on request.
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SYNTHETIC FELTS: This describes all felts made using man-made fibres as
a base. Polyester, acrylic and other man-made fibres will not naturally
fuse together like wool. Hence it becomes necessary to mix and bind them
together using barbed needles. Such felts are referred to as 'Needleloom'.
Other synthetic felts are fused by chemical impregnations and heat, and
these tend to be harder and more rigid than needleloomed felts.
Synthetic felt is measured by weight in grams per square metre. It can
be as light as 20gm2 or as heavy as several hundred grams per m2.
However, unlike woollen felts where density, hardness and thickness are
all interrelated to tensile strength, synthetic felts owe their hardness
and strength to fibre type, impregnations and finish. Hence, where a
very strong, thin felt is required, synthetics offer advantages over
wool. The same is true of high/low temperature performance and where
pore size is critical to the micron, as in precision filtration.
Synthetic felts cannot match wool's performance in compressibility,
elasticity, absorption and abrasion, but they can be harder wearing, and
in applications where either can perform, can offer price advantage.
Chemical compatibility to application must of course be considered. Wool
and synthetic blends offer combinations of both fibre qualities, as in
textiles.
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