Felt is a fibrous material with high tensile, bending. It tolerates high temperatures well and does not stretch. Caps, bags, heaters are made of it.
History of occurrence
Felt is one of the few materials that were used in antiquity. The mention of its receipt falls on the time of the Flood. It turns out that the first fabric was made by sheep. Noah gathered animals in one place for a long time.
While the herd was rubbed and stamped in the cramped ark, the wool fell to the floor and gradually compacted. Physical pressing resulted in felt. This is one of the very first methods of obtaining natural material. True, the very principle of such a process is very long.
Recently, production technology has changed little. Felt is a non-woven material obtained by felting wool.
Why does material compaction occur?
Get felt from natural wool due to the long compaction of down. The process is significantly accelerated if the material is pressed in a wet state. High density and tear resistance is obtained due to the special structure of the wool fibers.
Felt scales hold tight to each other with their edges. The entire fabric manufacturing process consists in striving to tighten the flakes as tightly as possible. Felting is the most successful way to mix fluff particles. Wet material increases gliding and fibers without special resistance enter the lock, which cannot be parted without damaging the fabric.
The scaly structure has only felt. The photo shows an example of engagement of the edges of the fibers - cuticle. Fluff during felting is exposed to hot or cold steam.
Physical properties of the material
Felt is made from the wool of only a pet. In wild sheep, the fiber structure is strikingly different and it is not possible to make quality material from their wool. Felt fabrics have received a wide range of applications due to the unique properties of the material.
Its important advantage is the natural composition. In addition to the fluff of a sheep or other animal, nothing is added to it. Hence a high degree of thermal insulation. The material is suitable for the production of winter clothing.
Along with high thermal conductivity, felt rapidly absorbs moisture and passes it through itself. Thanks to this, it makes perfect winter shoes (widely known to all boots), in which the feet do not sweat. They are very warm and easy to walk. Also, the material has an antibacterial property, which does not allow microorganisms to develop with prolonged wear of the product.
Felt hats, shoes worn for years. The wear resistance of the material is high, the products are practical. However, more durable materials are used to protect the soles, which increases the life of the fabric.
Application area
Recently, felt bags have become popular. Often make coats, hats, furniture, covers for smartphones and laptops. Due to its natural composition, the fabric is suitable for the production of children's toys, carpets.
On sale you can find felt insoles, lining. Often the material is involved in the production of upholstered furniture as various inserts to give an unusual appearance. Such a felt is called needle-punched fabric.
The fabric for outerwear is made from the fluff of a rabbit, goat. Felt is thin and at the same time quite warm. It is also called felt.
Industrial purpose
For various purposes, low-quality material or synthetic felt is used. It turns out to be especially durable, with low thermal conductivity. This allows you to use it for insulation of building facades. During construction, sheets of such material are laid under plaster for sound insulation, under linoleum.
In mechanical engineering, synthetic material is used as gaskets, oil seals. Thin fabric is widely used in electrical engineering as a dielectric. Another material involved in the manufacture of saddles.
The engine compartment is lined with technical felt for sound insulation and heat retention in cold weather. It is also laid on the floor in the cabin and trunk. For similar purposes, it is used for upholstering the walls of trailers for living shift workers in the North.
Fabric care
The felt can be cleaned from dust and dirt with a vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to dry it. Some fabrics are damaged after washing, an unpleasant odor appears, it is difficult to remove. An ideal cleaner would be a vacuum cleaner.
Special fleece care liquids are available. Only with the help of them you can clean the material from stains, and you will not have to be afraid of the appearance of a persistent unpleasant odor. It is not recommended to use heat sources for drying the washed product. The fabric may change in size: dry out or, conversely, stretch. There is a likelihood of wrinkling, which is then difficult to eliminate.
To clean the settled mud on boots, it is recommended to use lanolin. Before washing, pre-soak shoes in cold water. At the end of the procedure, a gentle extraction is carried out. Before drying, the material is given the position in which the product will be used in the future.
How to make fabric at home?
You can make felt with your own hands. To do this, you need natural animal hair, always domestic: goats, sheep, rabbit, ram. It will take several components:
- Time - the strength of the tissue depends on the duration of the procedure.
- Warm soapy water - speed up the process of felting. Scales will make it easier to enter the castle with their cuticles.
- Two hands - they will carry out all the mechanical work.
Small balls can be rolled out of wool, and beads can be made of them. Some knock down layers of material for making a rug. You can give the product its shape, make a toy. Drying the finished thing is better in a warm room.
Some craftsmen learned to make felt from old woolen things. You need to take, for example, an old wool sweater. We put it in the washing machine. Felting will occur according to the program with the maximum temperature. You will need a tennis ball, which also needs to be put in a drum to increase the manufacturing efficiency of the material.
After a few washings, the size of the item will be reduced by almost half. After that, we start the drying mode. The result should be felt material that needs to be steamed with an iron. This fabric can be cut and turned into desired shapes. It should turn out dense, strong. Of course, the quality will be lower than when felting natural wool. But as a material for toys or insulation is quite suitable.