Industrial felts have become indispensable in the industrial manufacturing field due to their versatility and wide applicability. In this article, we will analyze the raw materials, applications, standards and characteristics to provide professional, authoritative and credible information for industry practitioners, researchers and related parties.
What is Industrial Felt?
Industrial felt is a porous material made of fiber materials through the felting process. Its raw materials are rich in variety, different materials give felt different performance, the application of the scene is also different.
Natural Fiber Wool
As a natural protein fiber, wool has excellent properties. Its elasticity is good, can be deformed in the force after the rapid recovery of the original shape; moisture absorption is very strong, can absorb 30% of its own weight of water but no sense of moisture; good warmth, often used in cold environment of the insulation material. In addition, the lanolin in wool gives it a certain degree of waterproof and antibacterial properties. It is widely used in high-end industrial felts, such as precision instrument gaskets, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of dust and liquid, and musical instrument fittings, which can enhance the sound quality and tactile sensation. According to the data of the International Wool Board (IWS), felts made of high quality wool have stable performance in the temperature range of – 40℃ to 120℃.
Flax
Flax fiber is known for its high strength and natural anti-bacterial properties, and the felt made from it is breathable and quick in absorbing and releasing moisture. In the textile, leather processing industry, often used as polishing, sanding materials; in the field of environmental protection, can be used as primary filtration materials for sewage treatment.
Polyester fiber
Polyester fiber is a common synthetic fiber with low cost and large output. It has good abrasion resistance and wrinkle resistance, made of felt dimensional stability, acid and alkali corrosion resistance, in automobile manufacturing, machining industry, widely used in sound insulation cotton, dust cover and other components. According to the American Fiber Manufacturers Association statistics, the use of polyester fiber in the global industrial felt accounted for more than 40%.
Nylon
The outstanding advantage of nylon fiber is high strength and high toughness, and its abrasion resistance is several times that of natural fibers. Felt made of nylon is excellent in high-friction environments, such as conveyor belts and polishing wheels for printing machines. At the same time, nylon felt also has good oil resistance, suitable for oil pollution environment.
Mixed fibers
In order to integrate the advantages of different fibers, the actual production of mixed fibers are often used. For example, wool mixed with polyester fiber, not only to retain the softness and moisture absorption of wool, but also to enhance the abrasion resistance and washability; flax mixed with nylon, can enhance the strength of the felt and antibacterial properties. Blending ratios are precisely blended according to specific needs to achieve the best balance of performance.
What Are the Uses of Industrial Felt ?
Industrial felt fabric with its diverse performance, in many industries play a key role.
Automobile manufacturing industry
Inside automobiles, industrial felts are used to make components such as acoustic foam, headliners and carpets. For example, a famous automobile brand uses high-density polyester fiber felt to reduce the noise inside the car by 15-20 decibels; the high-temperature-resistant felt sealing gasket in the engine compartment effectively prevents oil leakage and dust entry, and improves the service life of the engine.
Machinery Manufacturing Industry
In the process of mechanical processing, felt can be used as polishing material for fine grinding of metal surfaces; in machine tools, it is used as a dust cover and buffer pad to protect precision parts from dust and vibration. For example, in precision grinding machines, wool felt dust cover can effectively block the intrusion of cutting fluid and metal chips.
Electronic equipment industry
In the production of electronic equipment, industrial felt is used for cleaning and protection. Such as cell phone screen assembly, the use of soft wool felt to wipe the screen to avoid scratches; precision electronic components in the packaging, the use of anti-static felt, to prevent static electricity damage to the components.
Building materials industry
In the construction field, felt can be used as sound insulation and heat insulation materials for walls and roofs. According to Test Methods for Acoustic Materials for Construction (GB/T 20247 – 2019), the sound absorption coefficient of felt with specific specifications can reach more than 0.8; it can also be used as the base layer of waterproofing materials to enhance waterproofing performance.
What Are the Standards for Industrial Felts?
In order to ensure the quality and performance of industrial felt, countries and international organizations have developed a series of standards.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has formulated the ISO 9073 series of standards, which cover the testing methods for the physical properties (e.g., density, thickness, tensile strength) and chemical properties (e.g., chemical resistance, flame retardancy) of felts. For example, ISO 9073-2 specifies methods for measuring felt thickness to ensure accuracy and consistency of measurements.
What Are the Characteristics of Industrial Felts?
The unique properties of industrial felts make them highly favored in the industrial field.
Excellent acoustic properties
Industrial felt has good sound-absorbing and sound-insulating properties, and its porous structure can effectively absorb and block sound waves. In recording studios and conference rooms, sound-absorbing panels made of felt can reduce ambient noise and improve acoustics. Tested by professional organizations, the average sound-absorbing rate of specific felt for 100-5000Hz frequency sound waves is more than 65%.
Outstanding filtration performance
The interwoven fiber structure of felt forms countless tiny pores, which can effectively filter particles and harmful substances in the air. In air purification equipment, felt filters can filter PM2.5 and other fine particles; in chemical production, it is used for liquid filtration, separation of impurities and suspended matter.
Stable physical properties
Part of the industrial felt has good abrasion resistance, high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. Such as nylon felt in the high temperature environment (up to 200 ℃) can still maintain a stable structure; special treatment of wool felt, can withstand common acid and alkali solution corrosion, suitable for a variety of harsh working environment.
Good processing performance
Industrial felt can be cut, sewn, stamped and other processing according to the needs of different shapes and specifications of the product. Through the composite process, it can also be combined with other materials (such as rubber, plastic) to expand its scope of application.
Conclusion
As an important industrial material, the diversity of raw materials determines the wide range of properties and uses of industrial felts. The strict standard system guarantees the quality of the product, and the excellent performance characteristics make it play a key role in many industries. An in-depth understanding of the raw materials, applications, standards and characteristics of industrial felts will help industrial users to choose the right products according to actual needs and give full play to their value in industrial production. As technology continues to advance, the performance of industrial felts will be further optimized and their applications will continue to expand.
For high quality industrial felts, ShuaiCheng Felt is a reliable choice. We have been in the field of felt production for many years, strictly comply with international and domestic standards, relying on advanced technology and high-quality raw materials, our products cover a wide range of applications in automotive, machinery, electronics and other industries.
Whether you are in need of sound absorption, filtration, abrasion resistance or high temperature resistance, we can provide you with customized solutions. Please feel free to contact us for product details and quotations, and we look forward to working with you to explore the infinite possibilities of industrial felts!
