Carpet Glossary

Laboratory tests designed to predict the likelihood of carpet fading under actual use conditions. Fading is usually caused either by ultraviolet light or by exposure to ozone or nitrogen oxide gas. Carpet can be tested in laboratory for results against fading agents. Dye stuff, hue or fiber can affect fading. A specific carpet being considered for a critical installation should be tested prior to final selection.

A unit of matter, either natural or man-made, that forms the basic element of fabrics. The term refers to units that can be spun into a yarn or felting and can be processed by weaving, tufting, knitting or fusion bonding. Important properties include elasticity, fineness, uniformity, durability, soil resistance, luster, and denier.

1. Polymer characteristics.
2. Polymer additives (delusterant or solution dye pigments).
3. Cross section design.
4. Fiber finishes (low surface energy fluorochemical coatings for soil release).

Refers to the cross section and size of individual filaments. Fiber shape impacts soil hiding and soil release (cleanability). (See "Cross section" and "Extrusion.")

Refers to the denier per filament (dpf) or thickness of a filament. Fiber size impacts soil-trapping and soil-releasing capabilities.

Fiber which has been extruded and is then converted into yarn fiber, staple, or tow.

The number of individual filaments that make up an extruded yarn fiber, staple or tow.

Processing of carpets after tufting (weaving) and dyeing is called finishing. Processes include application of secondary backing, application of attached foam cushion, application of soil-resistant treatment, shearing, brushing, dying, printing and others.

Procedures that have been developed for assessing the flame resistance of carpets. The most commonly accepted are:

Methenamine Pill Test: A carpet .ammability test described in federal regulations CPSC1-70 and CPSC 2-70. It measures the size of the burn hole produced by an ignited methenamine tablet under controlled conditions. Also used on the back of carpet. All carpet sold in the U.S. must pass the CPSC 1-70 flammability test.

Radiant Panel Test: A test for the flammability of carpets or rugs in which the specimen is mounted on the floor of the test chamber and exposed to intense radiant heat from above. The rate of flame spread is assessed. (ASTM-E-648 Class I .45 watts/cm; Class II .22 watts/cm.)

A term used to describe a material that burns slowly or is self-extinguishing after removal of an external source of ignition. A fabric or yarn can be flame-resistant because of the innate properties of the fiber, the twist level of the yarn, the fabric construction, the presence of flame retardants or a combination of these factors.

A measurement of the amount of soil resistance chemical (fluoro-chemical) applied to the fiber during the carpet manufacturing process. This can be performed for the initial application of the fluorochemical as well as for the durability of the chemical to remain after hot water extraction cleaning.

Low-surface-energy technology used as a soil resistance treatment for carpet. The DuraTech® soil resistant treatment is used on all carpets made of Antron® nylon. DuraTech® soil resistant treatment attaches to the chemical structure of the fiber after being heated during the finishing step to protect the carpet from soiling.

One foot traffic unit is described as a pedestrian walking across a measured section of carpet, one time. Foot traffic is classified as follows:

• Light: less than 100/day
• Moderate: 100 - 1,000/day
• Heavy: 1,000 - 10,000/day
• Extra Heavy: more than 10,000/day

See individual traffic rating for details.

Racks at back of a Wilton loom that hold spools from which yarns are fed into the loom. Each frame holds separate colors; e.g., a three-frame Wilton has three colors in the design.

A yarn that has been very tightly twisted to give a rough or nubby appearance to the finished carpet pile.

Fabrication of carpet for a 6' wide or modular tile. It uses a thermoplastic process that implants yarn in a liquid vinyl compound to two backing materials in a sandwich configuration. A knife splits the sandwich to create two carpets simultaneously. Spun yarn is used in this process, and only cut pile carpets are produced.

A hairy effect on the carpet surface caused by fibers working loose under foot traffic or by slack yarn twist. This can be caused by poor latex penetration, poor yarn spinning, poor twisting and heatsetting, or improper maintenance. Not to be confused with initial shedding, a normal phenomenon associated with spun cut pile construction.