Performance Characteristics of Synthetic Fibers, Wool, Viscose, and Blended Fibers in Axminster Carpets

The soiling and crushing characteristics of nylon, Dacron, ² Orlon, ³ Saran, Dynel, acetate, wool, and smooth viscose, as well as the 50/50 blends of the synthetics and wool with smooth viscose were studied in Axminster carpets. Soiling properties are shown to be related to the fiber surface smoothness and avail able surface area, and the reflective properties of the fiber. The soiling properties of fibers in blends are not influenced by the companion fibers of the blends. Electrostatic effects are unrelated to the soiling properties of carpet fibers. Smooth viscose has the highest soil resistance of all the fibers appraised and con tributes this property to carpets consisting of blends of smooth viscose and synthetics. Crush recovery characteristics of the synthetics are good with nylon and Orlon per forming better than wool. Blends of the synthetics and smooth viscose show poorer crush recovery than the average crush properties of the respective fibers. Pile density is a variable controlling crush properties of carpets and varies in rela tion to the fiber's specific gravity. Differences in pile density of carpets as a result of differences in specific gravities of fibers are insufficient to materially shift the crush re sistant rankings of the fibers.