What Kind of Fabric is Microfiber Fabric?

We have introduced many fabrics before, but have you heard about microfiber fabrics? The biggest difference between microfiber fabrics and ordinary fabrics is their exceptional softness, warmth, and strong water absorption performance. These qualities make them widely used in various fields in the market.

What is Microfiber Fabric?

Microfiber is a triangular chemical fiber with a micron-level structure (about 1-2 microns), primarily made of polyester or nylon. Fabrics woven with these micron-level fibers are known for their softness, smoothness, breathability, and ease of maintenance. DuPont in the United States invented microfiber. Its key difference from traditional chemical fibers lies in its triangular structure and fine fibers, which make it more breathable, softer, and more comfortable to wear compared to circular-structure fibers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Microfiber Fabrics

Microfiber Definition: Fibers with a fineness of 0.3 denier (diameter 5 microns) or less are generally called microfibers.

Advantages:

1. Extreme Softness: The fine fibers increase the layered structure of the fabric, enhancing its specific surface area and capillary effect. This gives the fabric a delicate, silk-like luster and excellent moisture absorption and dissipation properties.
2. Strong Cleaning Power: Microfiber can absorb dust, particles, and liquids up to 7 times its own weight.

Disadvantages:

1. Due to its strong adsorption, microfiber products cannot be mixed with other items during washing, as they may attract lint and debris.
2. Avoid ironing microfiber towels or exposing them to hot water above 60 degrees Celsius.

Uses of Microfiber Fabrics

Microfiber has a wide range of applications. Textiles made from microfiber, after advanced finishing processes like sand washing and sanding, develop a peach-skin-like surface that is incredibly fluffy, soft, and smooth. Manufacturers use microfiber to produce high-end fashion, jackets, T-shirts, underwear, skirts, and pants, which are cool, comfortable, sweat-absorbent, and non-clingy.

In foreign markets, microfiber is used to create high-grade artificial suede, which mimics the appearance, feel, and style of real leather at a lower cost. Due to its fine and soft texture, microfiber is also used to make cleaning cloths that effectively remove dirt without damaging surfaces. Additionally, microfiber is used to produce ultra-high-density fabrics with smooth surfaces, ideal for sportswear like skiing, skating, and swimming gear, as it reduces resistance and enhances athletic performance.

Currently, research and development in microfiber materials have made significant breakthroughs, opening up broad prospects for military use. Some companies are developing microfiber-based leather for military clothing, gloves, and boots. For example, microfiber military glove suede and veneer leather have passed inspections by the Special Clothing Quality Inspection Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, demonstrating their potential in military applications.

The Difference Between Microfiber and Cotton Fiber

1. Strength and Durability:

• Ordinary cotton fiber has relatively low strength, often leaving behind broken fiber fragments after wiping surfaces.
• Microfiber, being a long fiber with high strength and toughness, rarely leaves fiber fragments on surfaces. Its micro-static effect also helps absorb hair and debris.

1. Cleaning Efficiency:

• Cotton fabrics absorb dust, grease, and dirt directly into the fibers, making residue difficult to remove. Over time, cotton fabrics can become hard and lose elasticity.
• Microfiber fabrics, with their ultra-fine diameter of 0.4μm (1/20th the thickness of silk), capture dust particles as small as a few microns. They trap dirt between fibers rather than inside them, making cleaning easier. Most stains can be removed by gently washing in warm water with ordinary soap, without the need for chemical detergents.

1. Absorption and Hygiene:

• Microfiber fabrics, with their advanced weaving and finishing techniques, feature a standard orange-segment cross-section and layered structure. This gives them exceptional water absorption, moisture permeability, and water retention capabilities. Microfiber can absorb 10 times its weight in water and retain 5 times its weight in moisture. Its absorption performance is even better in wet conditions than in dry ones.
• Unlike cotton, microfiber’s unique fiber properties and lack of protein hydrolysis make it resistant to bacterial growth. Even when wet for long periods, microfiber does not mold, become sticky, or develop odors. Its lifespan is approximately five times longer than that of cotton fabrics.

• alibaba