Raw materials for felt production
Selected and applied with care
BWF Feltec stands for the highest product quality, a commitment that begins with selecting and purchasing its raw materials. This commitment is further guaranteed by excellent quality management.
Our internal, twin quality management system ensures consistent quality while also taking environmental guidelines into account. As a supplementary, independent body, the ECO Umweltinstitut (Environmental Institute) regularly audits our quality standards.
BWF Feltec actively supports the CAMPAIGN FOR WOOL. Click the link for more information www.campaignforwool.com.
Advantages of raw materials:
- exclusively high-quality raw materials
- ISO certifications
- Öko-Tex certifications
Wool
The natural raw material
The properties of wool:
environmentally friendly
- sustainable and renewable
- 100% natural
- biodegradable
- energy-efficient due to thermal insulation
protecting
- flame-retardant
- heat-resistant
- protection against UV radiation (over 30)
- reduced static charge
promotes health
- absorbs sound and pollutants
- breathable and dirt-repellent
- regulates humidity
- provides natural heat regulation
Further features
-
crease-resistant
-
30% elastic elongation possible without damaging the fibre
-
durable
-
rapid-drying fibres
Viscose
With fibres made of natural cellulose
Viscose is produced using a wet spinning process. The product is based on pulp, which is obtained from wood. The action of caustic soda lye and carbon disulphide produces a viscous, spinnable mass. The spinning mass is then pressed through nozzles. To remove the solvents, the spinning cable is led through a bath. After several de-aeration and separation processes, this strand is then dried, stretched and crimped. This improves strength and facilitates subsequent processing of the individual fibres. Finally, the strand is cut into short fibres.
The properties of viscose:
- decomposition temperature (175 - 190°C)
- highly flammable
- high moisture absorption (12 - 14%)
- low acid resistance
- antistatic
- low elasticity, but high tear strength (16 - 30 cN/tex)
- structured fibre surface
- natural raw material
Polyester
A synthetic raw material
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) belongs to the polyester family. Terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol react to PET by polycondensation.
PET is produced by a melt spinning process: The molten polymer is pressed through spinnerets and an antistatic agent is introduced to prevent the individual strands from becoming electrostatically charged. In order to facilitate subsequent fibre processing, the final step after stretching is crimping and cutting.
The properties of polyester:
- low moisture absorption (0.2 - 0.5%)
- high melting temperature (250 - 260°C)
- UV-resistant
- low alkali resistance
- temperature-resistant (150°C)
- smooth surface structure
- flammable (LOI 20 - 22)
- Thermoplastic
