Split Micro-Fiber An interesting explanation

[allenk4]

I was digging a bit deeper into the subject and I found this explanation of what happens when a microfiber is split

I always pictured a massive machine, thrashing away at the surface of the bulk microfiber material physically "cutting" the larger strand into smaller ones

Apparently, that is not how it is done:

http://www.brillianize.com/Literature/Micro-fiber%20Q&A.pdf


Interested to hear any additional info Forum Members have to add

[allenk4]

Makes me wonder what effect the % of polyamide, which comprises the inner "star" of the "orange"

Cool picture

[af90]

That's an interesting read, thanks for posting!

[allenk4]

Found this on a Porsche Forum (http://www.nnjr-pca.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=321:microfiber-what-is-it&catid=76:concours-articles&Itemid=117)

Cheaper towels can actually LINT LESS:

"The few fibers that come off are not a problem when the towel is used for general detailing. It is not recommended to use these towels to clean glass.

Ironically, the least expensive, un-split Microfiber towels do not leave a fiber trail because the fibers are not split! Just because a towel is lint free does not mean it is a quality towel!"

[allenk4]

Getting closer (http://www.perfectclean.com/z_gen/faq.html).....

"The finished material then goes through a ‘splitting process’ that involves increasing the pH and temperature. As the melting point of the polyamide core is approached, (polyamide has a lower melting point than polyester) it shrinks, or pulls away, releasing the eight polyester triangular shaped micro-denier fibers."

[allenk4]

Microfibers do NOT have "Hooks"

Interesting Photo:

Perfect Clean: Does microfiber contain hooks? (http://www.perfectclean.com/z_gen/hooks.html)

"One company promotes their “microfiber” as having HOOKS on every fiber when in fact there are no hooks and it is not even possible to make microfiber with hooks on the ends. Many companies promote images of “microfiber” rotating like a Ferris wheel sucking up dirt particles – technically, these diagrams are NOT microfibers at all but large sized filaments capable of being “microfibers” (must split all 9 components - 1 hub & spokes + 8 triangles - completely away from each other). "

[allenk4]

Simple Test of MF Towel Quality (http://www.perfectclean.com/z_gen/faq.html):

"Q: What determines quality?

A: The key to quality is the type of fiber and machine used and the actual time required to knit a meter of material. Two simple tests:

1. does the material stretch in one or both directions.

2. Can the pile be pulled out easily, if at all?

If the answer is yes to one or both of these questions then the material you have is of a lower quality.

[allenk4]

Pretty picture of Split MF:


http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/rcp/images/news/image3_8-06.jpg


Ugly un-split MF:

http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/rcp/images/news/image2_8-06.jpg

[allenk4]

Several of the websites I have been perusing mention that the polyester component is the scrubber and the polyamide is the absorbent component

Does this mean that the best drying towels should be 70/30 Polyester/Polyamide

Curious, because Guzzlers are 80/20, but Chinchilla and other MF's that are not generally used for drying are 70/30?

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/pinnaclewax/mfchart01-16-09.jpg

[allenk4]

Kind of went Berserk

Hopefully some will find it interesting


Kyle

[sberk1012]

Does this mean that the best drying towels should be 70/30 Polyester/Polyamide

Curious, because Guzzlers are 80/20, but Chinchilla and other MF's that are not generally used for drying are 70/30?


I've wondered the same thing myself

[dlc95]

Thank you for posting. I love this kind of reading!

[allenk4]

Thank you for posting. I love this kind of reading!

When I was a Kid, I often got "Lost" in the World Book Encyclopedia.

Now, I get lost in Google

Kids have it so easy now