Fabric is the most vital part of the textile industry. Different fabrics are used for different purposes. Sometimes a single fabric is a combination of many other fabrics. Today, microfibres have made a lot of buzz in the textile world. When referring to microfibres, the customers often know that they are being offered something good. Technically, microfibres signify synthetic fibres that are finer than any other fibre in nature. Microfibres are usually prepared from polyester, polyamide, acrylic, modal, lyocell, and viscose. The thickness of the yarn used is less than 1.0 denier.

The technology used to produce microfibres ensures that the fine filaments retain all the strength, uniformity, and processing characteristics expected by the manufacturers and customers. The microfibres are even finer than many luxury natural fibres such as silk. A comparative analysis of microfibres with other fabrics shows how fine the microfibres' yarn is. Microfibres are two times finer than silk, three times finer than cotton, eight times finer than wool, and one hundred times finer than a human hair. Apart from microfibres, there are also ultra-microfibres available in the market. The difference between the microfibres and ultra-microfibres is that of the yarn's thickness. In ultra-microfibre, the yarn is having a thickness of just 1/200th of the thickness of human hair. The outstanding performance coupled with delicacy has earned the microfibres a new tag 'supernatural'.

The fabrics made from microfibres are effortlessly easy to maintain, as they are machine-washable and do not lose shape. Fabrics made from microfibres can also be made windproof and breathable. These two traits collectively mean that the fabric has the ability to block the tiniest of water drops from entering while allowing the water vapor from perspiration to pass through! This ensures that the body temperature remains even, no matter what the weather conditions are.

Microfibre fabrics are available in various finishes like crushed and wrinkled. Fabrics made from microfibres can also be thermochromic, antibacterial, anti-UV, light-sensitive, and deodorant, depending on the demand and usage! Microfibre blends are used in both ready-to-wear and customized garments, since these fabrics are pleasing to the eyes and have excellent tactile qualities.

The textile houses are producing four types of synthetic microfibres, currently. These include acrylic, nylon, polyester, and rayon. The most common blend of microfibre material used in automotive detailing applications is nylon and polyester.

Initially, the microfibres were used mainly for space and military applications. Nevertheless, the microfibre fabrics have attracted designers' attention, following their unique appeal. Companies worldwide have developed their own patents with various blends of microfibres. There are microfibres with metal foil spots made to give a consistent metallic finish. This blend is usually used for outerwear fashion garments. There is also an automotive toweling microfibre, which is produced by combining polyester and polyamide, which is another name of nylon. The polyamide is used as the core of the fusion fiber, which is generally 20 to 30 percent of the content and the polyester is the outer skin, involving the remaining 70 to 80 percent. Each fiber has its own unique qualities that, when appropriately combined, can be used to come up with functionally specific fabrics.


In some products, it is the comfortable feel and look of the fabric which makes microfibres so in demand. In others, it is this unique physical and mechanical performance. In case of outerwear like raincoat or jacket that is made from cent percent microfibre, the benefits are many like it is more comfortable and lighter than other fabrics. Microfibre fabrics are not chemically treated or coated, which makes them much breathable for the wearer. This explains the rising demand of microfibre fabrics. Microfibre yarns have now been produced in all the major basic fibers. They can bring their outstanding performance to a wide variety of end uses.


Microfibre fabrics are also used for cleaning purposes, as they only need water to clean streaks, stains, dirt and grime on glass, mirrors and stainless steel surfaces. They are also easily washable and reusable. Good quality clothes last for several years. There are various variations of microfibre used in microfibre glass cloth, duster/multi-purpose microfibre cleaning cloth, microfibre scrubber, microfibre kitchen cloth, microfibre optical and CD cloth, microfibre mops, microfibre cleaning sponge, microfibre cleaning clothes terry cloths, suede clothes and waffle-weave clothes.


Other products for which microfibre is being used are bags, bath towels, beachwear, bedspreads, bed sheets, boxer shorts, women lingerie, carpets, casual clothing high-end coats, overcoats, curtains, cushions, gloves, handkerchiefs, hats, headscarves, leggings, mats high-end, menswear, miniskirts, pants, pullovers, sweatshirts, shirts, stockings, table linen, trousers, t-shirts, tracksuits, undershirts, vests and several other garments.


Microfibres are made exclusively from artificial fibres and they are the finest of all the fibers. In case of sportswear made from microfibres, the performance is excellent. It is breathable and at the same time provides reliable protection against harsh weather conditions like wind and rain. The grace and flow, combined with silk like feel, make garments made from microfibres exceptionally popular. And though, microfibre clothing feels soft and delicate, in reality it can handle rough use, without losing its positive qualities after washing or cleaning.

 

The exceptional strength of microfibre clothes, even though the filaments are super fine make it one of its kind. Improved breathability, vivid prints with more clarity and sharper contrast, comfort of natural fibers, long durability, ease of care, good appearance and feel, admirable drape, light weight et al are just some of the features that are not seen in other fabrics. Also, microfibre fabrics can be made windproof and water resistant, which makes them highly unique in the world of textile. The greater fiber surface area results in higher rates of dyeing at lower temperatures, and decreased fastness to light, crocking (fastness to rubbing), water and ozone. A number of leading fashion designers and design firms are already using microfibre products in their collections.


The many advantages of microfibre fabric, has resulted in researches that are going on in order to develop newer and better production techniques of microfibres fabrics. There are several interesting developments in manufacturing techniques like the change of cross section without altering the spinneret, radial quenching system, etc.


A blend of various fine yarns that commenced mainly for the purpose of cleaning is now widely used in fashion industry and various other purposes. It can now be spotted everywhere from clothes to coats and even furniture upholstery.


References:


1.      Tex.in

2.      Fibersource.com

3.      Textilelearner.com

4.      Tandfonline.com