Carpet and Fiber Glossary
A widely recognized association whose work focuses on development of standards of testing dyed and chemically treated fibers and fabrics.
Wear or texture change to an area of carpet that has been damaged by friction caused by rubbing or foot traffic.
Nylon polymer that has been modified chemically to make the fiber receive acid dyes. Acid dyeable yarns are available in different dye levels (light, medium and deep).
A base ingredient in the production of Type 6,6 nylon. Adipic acid has a chain of six carbon atoms. It is reacted with hexamethylene diamine, which also has six carbon atoms, to polymerize Type 6,6 nylon.
Properties perceived by touch and sight, color, luster and texture of carpet.
The tendency for two elements or substances to combine chemically. An example is the affinity of acid dyes for nylon fiber.
A method of producing yarn by combining two or more BCF fibers together. Fibers are "locked" together via air jets at regular or irregular intervals. The process is used to obtain special effect yarn (i.e., mixing dye variants to get heather effects upon subsequent dyeing or combining different colors of solution dyed fiber). Various air-entangling processes exist making it possible to produce a wide range of aesthetics in finished yarns, from highly blended, near solid looks to yarns where individual colors are accented and color separation mimics that of plied yarns.
The terminating (-NH2) group of a nylon polymer chain. Amine end groups provide dye sites for nylon (polyamide) fibers.
An agent that kills microbes.
Resisting the tendency to produce annoying static electric shocks in situations where friction of the foot tread builds up static in low-humidity conditions. Some nylon fibers introduce a conductive filament in the yarn bundle to conduct or dissipate static charges from the human body. Olefin fiber is inherently static-resistant, as it is similar to the surface of most shoe soles (only dissimilar surfaces rub to create a static charge).
There are two basic methods for controlling the buildup of static in nylon carpets:
- Treating the carpet with a topical spray. This is not permanent and creates a tendency for the carpet surface to soil.
- Adding a carbon composite nylon filament into the bundle of yarn to act as a dissipating rod carrying the static charge away from the person generating it.
The most specified brand of commercial carpet fiber. Antron® nylon combines a superior Type 6,6 polymer substrate, fiber engineering, DuraTech® advanced soil resistance technology, and INVISTA performance testing and construction standards, resulting in carpet fibers that perform well in the most demanding commercial environments.
In the family of the best-performing white dyeable fibers for most commercial applications, BrillianceTM nylon offers richer, more vivid color with all the qualities of Antron® Type 6,6 nylon fiber and most specified range of commercial carpets. See "Antron® nylon."
The best-performing white dyeable fiber for most commercial applications, with all the qualities of Antron® Type 6,6 nylon fiber. Brings exceptional soil resistance to the largest and most specified range of commercial carpets. See "Antron® nylon."
The best performing solution dyed fiber for many demanding commercial applications, with all the qualities of Antron® Type 6,6 nylon fiber. Antron Lumena® nylon gives carpets unsurpassed stain cleanability. Most stains can be removed without the use of harsh cleaning agents. See "Antron® nylon."
In the family of the best-performing white dyeable fibers for most commercial applications, StainRESIST™ offers stain resistance properties with all the qualities of Antron® Type 6,6 nylon and most specified range of commercial carpets. See "Antron® nylon."
One of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services.
A test that indicates a change of shade or hue of dyed fabric caused by a chemical reaction between certain dyes and acid gases. Recommended test methods for carpets (AATCC 129 - Ozone and AATCC 164 - Oxides of Nitrogen) would specify a minimum rating, after two cycles, of no less than International Gray Scale for Color Change rating of 3.
- An oven-like apparatus for use in yarn heatsetting operations. Under pressure in a superheated steam atmosphere, yarn is given a "memory" of its twist. Autoclave heatsetting is a batch, not a continuous, method.
- An apparatus for making polymer under heat and pressure.
The weight of pile yarn in a unit volume of carpet. It is expressed in ounces per cubic yard in the formula: Density = pile yarn Weight (in ounces per square yard) times 36 divided by pile Thickness or pile Height (in inches). Average pile density factors for commercial carpets range from 4200 to 8000.
In this method, individual pile tufts are inserted from spools of colored yarns, making possible an almost endless variety of colors and geometric or floral patterns.
