Flocage is an operation which consists in throwing on a beforehand coated surface with some appropriate adhesive, a lot of short textile fibers (0.1 to 3mm) called flocks, so as to obtain a suede aspect, felt-like, velvet, fur, according to used fibers.
Flocking fibers
They are characterized by the nature of the fiber, their length and diameter.
There are two qualities, the first one, called as crushed, is a mixture of irregular length fibers, varying between 0.2 and 1.2mm and the calibrated one, prepared by cutting and which have quite the same length.
We mainly use the following textile fibers :
| Nature of fibers | Characteristics of the application | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suede | Calibrated | ||
| Cotton | Rather convenient for application on flat materials Very interesting price |
x | |
| Rayonne viscose | High strength Attractive price |
x | x |
| Polyamide | Very good crushing strength and abrasion resistance | x | x |
| Sisal | Thick fibers for decorative effects | x | |
| Polyester | Rupture strength and better coefficient of friction than polyamide | x | x |
| Acrylic | Good resistance Sweet touch |
x | x |
After cutting or grinding, the flocks can go through the following treatments : painting, surface treatment, wringing, drying, sieving.
Technical properties
The main property of the flocage is its ornamental aspect, but there are so many others less known, particularly on technical plane :
- avoiding condensation by cold wall effect
- providing the realization without gliding of couplings
- absorbing the mechanical noises
- reducing echo in loudspeakers
- facilitating sliding of mirrors in slide channels
- realizing elements cleaners
- improving effictiveness of filters or evaporators
- contributing to the insulation and thermic stability.
Application domains
Textile industry
Plain coating or printing on any types of fabrics, carpet or mat, imitation fur, soft furnishing, deer or velvet imitation for clothes or shoes fabrics, foam rubber blanket, flocked tulle, ribbon, printing on T-shirt, flocked thread.
Automotive industry
Accessories, glove compartments, sections for mirrors, vehicle inner linings, back shelves, hard-top, seals.
Building industry
Wall covering, boxes for ceiling, flockage express of walls and ceilings, flockage of elements of roof to avoid condensation, effect of flock on tiles.
Packaging industry
Luxury cardboard, elements of packaging in flexible or stiff foam.
Paper and printing industry
Cardboard and flocked paper for binding, paper tapestry, gift wrap, postcards, panels and advertising documents.
Luggage industry
Molded suitcases interiors, cases for music and measuring instruments, photos, samples, bindings.
Plastic industry
Coating on flexible or stiff plastic sheets, applications on molded objects.
Wood and furniture industry
Drawers, storage units for place settings, back of mirror, flies, sections for sliding mirrors, bottom of tray, display stands, back of shop windows.
Shoe industry
Soles, heels, fabrics for making of various parts of shoe or slipper, boots, leather lining.
Toy industry
Christmas decoration, animal and others flocked objects, bottom billiard tables and football tables, forts and farms in small-scale models, lawn paper intended to railways in small-scale model, articles to be filled.
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