Delamination Of Fabrics
An article by Howard Duffy on the different types on bonded and laminated fabrics and the problems that can occur when drycleaning them.
An article by Howard Duffy on the different types on bonded and laminated fabrics and the problems that can occur when drycleaning them.
Bonded fabric—a layered structure wherein a face or shell fabric is joined to a backing fabric, such as tricot (a knit fabric), with an adhesive that does not significantly add to the thickness of the combined fabric.”
“Laminated fabric—a layered structure wherein a face or outer fabric is joined to a continuous sheet material, such as polyurethane foam, in such a way that the identity of the continuous sheet material is retained, whether by the flame method or by an adhesive, and this in turn, normally, but not always, is joined on the back with a backing fabric such as tricot (a knit fabric).”
Laminated fabrics made by the foam flame method are passed under a gas flame until the foam becomes tacky. In fabrics made by this method, the foam acts as the adhesive agent.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Coats with foam backings should be checked at the counter for deterioration of the foam layer due to age. Care labels should be checked carefully.
If drycleaning is the recommended care, in order to minimize the potential for shrinkage, use a short cleaning cycle of five to six minutes with no moisture, and tumble dry low at 120° F. If small areas of separation occur on a bonded fabric due to spotting, this can sometimes be overcome by pressing on a utility press. Use minimum steam and head pressure, and vacuum dry. If this method causes damage to the surface finish of the fabric, or causes seam impressions, press firmly with a hand iron, lightly steam, and vacuum dry. When drastic or general separation of the bond occurs as the result of the failure of the bond to resist the cleaning method recommended, usually no restoration is possible.
Identification and Uses
Bonded Fabrics: The face and backing fabrics are held together with an adhesive. The fabric will look different on the back than on the front. The backing fabric is often a tricot knit. Can be in many weights. Used in garments, upholstery, and drapery fabrics.
Laminated Fabrics: Have an outer face fabric, a recognizable foam layer, and sometimes a tricot knit backing fabric. Used for upholstery and coats.
Problems and Responsibility
Spotting
The DIA recently had a member asking about damage to a high-end dress after the dry cleaning process.
Neither the dry cleaner nor the customer had realised that the problem was in fact a delamination of the fabrics and was attributed to a manufacturing fault thus saving the dry cleaner a substantial claim.