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Felt Types

Methods of Manufacturing

Woven Felt
  • Wool or a blend of wool and other yarn is woven into a cloth then felted using steam and pressure to make the fibers interlock.
  • Very durable and resilient fabric.
  • Cut parts may fray and have loose fibers.
  • Maximum thickness 1/2".
  • Typical uses include:
    • Printing (Etching) Blankets
    • Musical Instruments
    • Door Seals

Pressed Felt

  • Oldest form of fabric known to man, predates weaving and knitting.
  • Wool fibers or a blend of wool and other fibers are pressed together with steam and pressure to allow the fibers to naturally interlock.
  • This felting process produces a fabric that is slightly less durable than the woven felt but is less expensive and can be made thicker.
  • Parts will not fray and loose fibers are minimal.
  • Can achieve very high densities
  • Maximum thickness 2".
  • Typical uses include:
    • Filters
    • Wicks
    • Gaskets
    • Wipers

Needled Felt

  • Synthetic fibers or a blend of wool and synthetic fibers are interlocked using machines with thousands of needles moving in an up/down motion to mechanically interlock the fibers.
  • Wool blends are less expensive than pressed or woven blends but tend to exhibit a bevel at the edge of cut parts.
  • Cut parts do not fray and loose fibers are minimal.
  • Maximum thickness 1-1/2".
  • Typical uses include:
    • Craft Felts
    • Inexpensive substitute for Pressed Felts
    • Cushioning
    • Felt bottoms for lamps

Composition

100% Wool Fiber Felt

  • Fibers come from sheep.
  • All natural and has excellent wicking and durability properties.
  • Is most often pressed or woven.
  • Can be needled but usually has binders added to help hold fibers together.
  • High quality and density
  • Typical uses include:
    • Bearing seals
    • Polishing Pads
    • Wipers
    • Lubricators

Blends of Wool and other fibers

  • Varying ratios of nylon, polyester, rayon, polypropylene, or cotton are mixed with wool to meet published specifications or control performance and cost.
  • Can be pressed, woven or needled.
  • Low density and cost
  • Typical uses include:
    • Packing
    • Filters

100% Synthetic Fiber Felt

  • Polyester, polypropylene, Teflon, Nomex, Rayon, and Kevlar fibers are needled or woven to form fabrics which perform to the fibers specifications.
  • Cost is dependant on the fiber cost.
  • Materials can be die cut with no fraying and minimal loose fibers.
  • Widest range of applications from very low tech and general to high tech and specific
  • Typical uses include:
    • Filters
    • Weather Stripping
    • Straps
    • Packing and Cushioning

Form

Felt Rolls

  • Felts with thicknesses of 1/32" to 1" and densities up to 18 lbs/sq.yd. come in roll form.
  • The length of the roll is dependant on the thickness of the felt and varies from approximately 8 to 300 yards.
  • The width of the roll is between 54" and 84".

Felt Sheets

  • Felt with densities greater than 18 lbs/sq.yd. are usually made in 36" x 36" sheets and can be made up to 2" thick.
  • These felts can be custom made in larger sheets if needed.