Materials Science: Interesting Facts About Carpet Materials

Materials and Their Properties 

It probably wouldn’t occur to anyone to go on a snow hike in a silk shirt or attend a wedding in a cotton work jumpsuit. Just as with clothing, different materials are used for carpets depending on the occasion—or, better yet, the “intended use.” Is a carpet meant primarily for decoration, or will it be subjected to heavy use? Hallway, bedroom, children’s room, bathroom rug —not every material is equally suitable for every living space. Natural or synthetic fibers? This brief rug glossary, in which we’ve listed all the materials we use and their key properties, is designed to help you make the best possible purchasing decision.

Natural fibers

Carpets made from natural fibers have a long tradition. Their appearance, product characteristics, and—last but not least—their positive environmental impact continue to make them extremely popular with consumers today. In our carpet production, we use natural fibers of animal origin, such as wool and silk, as well as plant-based fibers like hemp and sisal.

Man-made fibers/synthetic fibers

Toward the end of World War II, synthetic fibers were used in carpet manufacturing for the first time. Cellulose fibers were used initially, and then, in the late 1950s, nylon and acrylic fibers began to gain popularity. Starting in 1962, polypropylene was used as carpet yarn, followed just a few years later by polyester. In addition to a wealth of positive properties, the rapid rise of synthetic fibers is certainly also due to their wide availability. Furthermore, synthetic fibers made it possible to incorporate new textures and tactile qualities into carpet designs. In our carpet production, we currently use four synthetic fibers: 

 

The Carpet Glossary

What does "Dorri" mean? Or, for example, what is a Turkish knot?