Carpet Fibers

If you ever visit a carpet shop you will find carpets of different textures and ‘feel’. Some give a deep, rich and vibrant look, some appear coarse, while some may look very soft and fine. The quality and texture of a carpet depends upon the fibre used. It’s the basic yarn that is made out of thread and woven or tufted into carpets.

Most modern carpets are made of either of the following four fibers: Wool, Nylon, Polypropylene (Olefin) and Wool Blends. The not so common carpet fibres are cotton, silk, jute, and other natural fibre like Sisal. Fibres may be classified as natural and synthetic.

Natural Carpet Fibres:

Wool has been the most preferred fibre since centuries. Even after years, you will find your woolen carpet looking fresh as ever. Sheep wool has several characteristics which add to the functionality, finish and quality of carpets. They are naturally resilient, fire retardant, absorb humidity in a controlled manner and do not get soiled or stained as easily.

They are also hygienic being non-allergenic and discourage the growth of dust mites or bacteria, in fact, they absorb unhealthy gases like formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides from the atmosphere. The only disadvantages are they require moth proofing and regular maintenance.

Cotton lends itself very well as a base material for tying knots for pile carpets.It is generally used after mercerization, a process that enhances the color absorbing capacity of the cloth and adds luster and stretch ability. Their shine can be deceptive and give the impression of silk. Mercerized cotton is generally used in Turkey, India and Pakistan.
Their hygroscopic nature makes it prone to rotting and therefore it is necessary to keep them in low humidity.

Silk adds grace and elegance to carpets. It has a luster and shine that adds a sense of glamour to carpets. Silk is a very strong fibre and possess amazing elasticity. However its use is not very common now as it require heavy maintenance and can be very expensive.

Jute is a rainy season crop that is grown in China and India. It has long and shiny fibre that is very strong in strength and coarse to touch. They were originally used as carpet backing, but now they are being woven into not only rugs and carpets but also curtains, chair covers and burlap. They are susceptible to damage by water.

Sisal is actually a fibre derived from the cactus plant called agaves sisal ana. It is a very durable and strong fibre but can get damaged by water and direct sunlight. Sisal is generally found in Brazil and Africa.

Synthetic Carpet Fibre:

Nylon is the product of a petrochemical process that contains carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. The introduction Nylon in 1938 by the company DuP ont heralded the use of modern synthetic fibres for making carpets.

Nylon is a good choice for carpet making as it provides good resilience, retains colors and is soil resistant, scratch proof, and durable. Nylon carpets are strong and can be put on floors that sees a lot of movement. However it is prone to static and pilling. Modern chemical treatment of Nylon has made it the ‘sixth generation’ fibre.

Polypropylene or Olefin is another fine synthetic fibre of Italian origin that came into the carpet making industry in the 1950s. It resembles wool in its feel and appearance with the added advantage of being resistant to moisture, mildew and damage by water. It shares the durability and stain resistance quality of nylon.

In fact it scores over nylon with its non static property. Olefin is very colorfast, though some of them may fade if kept directly in the sunlight.

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that appears like natural wool minus the disadvantages of mothproofing and heavy maintenance. It’s a good choice for commercial use since its easy to maintain and fades the least.

Carpet Fibres - Synthetic Carpet Fiber - Natural Carpet Fibers