The super-strong fabric with amazing protective properties has no names: both damn skin and mole fur. But professionals call her simply - moleskin. What is this amazing fabric and why has it been indispensable for more than a hundred years?
What is moleskin
This is a satin (which uses 1 warp thread overlapping 4 weft threads) or twill weave (which is characterized by a small scar).
The word “moleskin” is translated from English as “mole skin” (mole - mole, and skin - leather) and is often associated with a diary with a tight, wide elastic band. In fact, the diary Italian brand Modo & Modo, which produces high-end stationery, and got its name from the cover made of dense and durable oiled fabric, namely moleskin.
History of production and use
Moleskin fabric began to be made in England, and in Russia it has been known since the 19th century, and its especially dense variants received an unusual name - damn skin. Then the fabric was used not only for sewing overalls, but also for military uniforms. Well moleskin came up as a basis for artificial leather. For these purposes, it was used for shoe uppers and book bindings (especially Italian notebooks).
In the 50s of the 20th century, moleskin fabric began to be dyed in bright colours and sew ski clothes out of it. The material was well suited for this, as it perfectly retained heat and did not allow moisture to seep inside. However, the high hygroscopicity did not allow moleskin to compete with modern synthetic membrane fabrics that are able to remove moisture from the body. Therefore, today they no longer sew from it sportswear. Currently, moleskin is produced all over the world, including in Russia.
Fabric specifications
The first thing that distinguishes moleskin fabric from other cotton materials is the increased fiber density. This allows moleskin clothing to protect the body and underwear space from the smallest contaminants, up to dust particles. Also, the fabric has a so-called slick weave, which gives finished product very smooth surface. Due to this, large particles, such as scale, metal chips and other industrial debris, simply roll off the surface of the suit. Additionally, moleskin fabric can be impregnated various formulations that give clothing special properties- protection against specific pollution, from fire or high temperatures.
On the reverse side, the fabric is not smooth, but with a small fleece, which is formed by napping the finished fabric. In the course of this, individual fibers of threads are pulled out to the surface of the fabric. This allows you to increase the wear resistance of the product and improve its heat-shielding properties. In addition, the pile reverse side softens the rough and dense moleskin.
Usually plain dyed and solid, it does not fade, does not lose its shape and wears out little over time. Also, its cotton base allows the body to breathe, which means that it will not be hot in such overalls even in a workshop with high air temperatures. moleskin is approximately 250-280 grams per meter, and the shrinkage percentage is not higher than 1.
What is sewn from moleskin fabric
In fact, today moleskin, like a hundred s extra years ago, it is 100% cotton, but modern fabrics may have a less dense thread and the addition of synthetics, which allows them to be sewn into jackets and raincoats. Some European casual clothing brands create shirts and trousers from moleskin. These are, for example, Maison Margiela, Incotex, Balmain. Such things resemble products made from denim, but moleskin is different in that it is smoother and heavier, so clothes made from it look more interesting.
However, most often moleskin is a thick cotton fabric, durable, heavy, impregnated with special compounds that give additional protective properties to clothes sewn from it. Therefore, the most important purpose of this material is overalls. Suits, bathrobes, work jackets are sewn from moleskin. As a rule, for the manufacture of such clothes, moleskin is dyed in non-staining dark tones, predominantly black. However, for work in conditions of high radiation, special protective suits are sewn from white moleskin.
Description
A durable cotton fabric crafted with a reinforced satin weave has significantly greater durability and a beautiful appearance.
The fiber can burn on its own if the released energy is greater than or equal to the sum of the energies that were expended on its ignition. Therefore, the property of self-extinguishing after the elimination of the source of ignition should fundamentally increase the fire resistance of the fabric.
After applying fire-retardant impregnation (OP), the fabric acquired a soft neck, physical and mechanical properties did not deteriorate, shrinkage does not exceed 1% in warp and weft, does not deform under the action of flame and high temperatures and does not change its structure. Due to the presence of cotton in its composition, irritating, general toxic and sensitizing effects and other harmful effects on the human body do not appear during direct contact.
"Moleskin" with To can be used in overalls for workers in various industries in order to protect them from fire for a long time.
To give additional properties that provide protection for workers from sulfuric acids with a concentration of up to 50%, acid-repellent impregnation K 50 can be applied at the request of the Customer.
According to received positive results laboratory research for the fire-resistant properties of fabrics, a certificate of conformity was issued, which directly certifies that the use of this fabric is of high quality and safe.
Advantages and benefits of moleskin
Everyone knows that the value of clothes depends not only on the style, but the matter itself plays an important role, especially its quality. Before choosing and buying fabric for sewing work clothes, it is also very important that it is strong enough. Practicality and beauty are the two main components of tailoring all working models.
Recently, moleskin has become increasingly popular among buyers.
Moleskin is a cotton fabric that perfectly combines quality, strength and high density, most often this fabric has dark colors and shades. Moleskin is widely used for the manufacture of overalls, sports and work suits, shoes and many other things. This type of fabric is almost dust-permeable and is ideal for the manufacture of work clothes, in which you will later have to work in complex dusty industries.
Moleskine the only and correct solution for those enterprises where workers often have to deal with harmful and very dusty work. Only this fabric is able to create reliable protection, and is cleaned easily and quickly from radioactive and chemical contaminants.
moleskin fabric was created in order to protect the worker from air suspensions, dust, biological and radioactive particles as much as possible. In addition to all this, taking into account the conditions under which given fabric will be used, it was important to provide for the simplicity and ease of cleaning and to do everything possible to make it convenient and comfortable for the employee to work in these clothes.
After all the improvements and changes carried out, a high-quality fabric of three types was obtained, consisting of pure cotton and significantly exceeding in dustproof properties all other known fabrics based on both synthetic and natural fibers. In addition to all their positive properties Moleskin perfectly combines efficiency and ease of cleaning.
Among other things, the fabric has a relatively low price, which makes it affordable for all consumers. It is also important that moleskin is a versatile fabric and is ideal for sewing not only summer clothes, but also winter ones. That is why more and more preferences are given to this fabric and they are trying to buy it for making clothes.
Three types of moleskin have gained the greatest popularity:
Moleskin brand S173-YUG (has a density of 250g / m2) is designed for sewing overalls for workers in the cement, flour milling and many other industries.
S174-YUG (surface density 250g/m2) is widely used for tailoring workwear, which provides reliable protection against the effects of acids, the concentration of which does not exceed 20%, and industrial pollution.
С159-YUG (density on the surface of the fabric 280g/m2). The material is used for the production of high-quality overalls, the main task of which is to reliably protect the worker from open flames and elevated temperatures.
Many modern factories for the production of special workwear for the manufacture of most of their products prefer to buy this particular fabric. Moleskin can also be bought for home use for any household work and not worry about your safety and the integrity of the suit as a whole. AT modern world all these types of wonderful material are widely used for the manufacture of suits for workers of nuclear complexes and nuclear power plants, for public utilities, for tailoring overalls for workers in the medical industry and for workers in the food and metallurgical industries.
In this article, we will talk about what constitutes moleskin fabric. It is often made from various clothes, so knowing about the characteristics of the fiber is important in order to be able to accurately care for it.
Description and composition
To understand what it is - moleskin fabric, let's pay attention to the manufacturing method. The basis uses the method of binding dense. Thus, a dense base is obtained. If it is necessary that there is also a pile on it, then a special pile process is used for this.
This is interesting: in the translation "Moleskin" - the skin of a mole.
Characteristics and properties
Since moleskin fabric contains satin fibers, they can be very easily dyed. Most often, for the manufacture of clothing, color is used in black or grey colour, but you can often see clothes in white.
The characteristic of moleskin fabric is ideal for making military uniforms. At the same time, it will be comfortable to wear in the warm season.
Advantages:
- High strength
- The material is extremely easy to care for, as you can simply use a brush to clean it.
- Does not let chemical components and radioactive dust through, preventing them from colliding with human skin
- If necessary, you can get moleskin fabric with flame retardant impregnation
- The surface is not only dense, but also with a beautiful sheen
- Not static
The fire-resistant base indicated in the last paragraph can be used without problems in the most complex and dangerous work. Reliable impregnation is firmly fixed and does not allow harmful substances to penetrate to the body. This applies not only to acids, but also to fire.
Technical use:
- From 26-YUD. Its density index is 347 g/m2, it is the most durable type of fabric.
It is used in flour-grinding, cement and other industries where the air contains many small particles. - S-28-YUD - its density is 280 g / m2. It is one of the most flame retardant fabrics, has proven itself in open flame factories and high temperatures.
- With 27-YUD, this type is designed for chemical plants with a high acid content. The density of the material is 250 g/m2.
Moleskin: durable like leather
Among the many well-known natural materials a special place is called moleskin - a fabric with a very high density and a smooth surface. For strength and black color English language it is called "mole skin", and in Russia - "devil's skin". This thick cotton material, which is almost impossible to tear, was originally intended for workwear, and today it has mostly the same application.
This material is made from rather thick and dense cotton fibers. Moleskin fabric owes its strength, first of all, to a special type of weave - satin with additional overlaps of the warp and weft threads. The finished canvas can be mercerized, which gives it a beautiful smooth surface, or napping (moleskin cloth).
The traditional moleskin material, which began to be produced in England in the 19th century, was made only from cotton and had a black color. Modern cotton moleskin can contain synthetic threads, which makes it thinner for the same strength, and come in a variety of colors, including white and camouflage. The main features of this fabric are:
- very high strength;
- wear resistance;
- breathability;
- the possibility of evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin;
- ability to retain dust particles;
- lack of electrification;
- low flammability;
- resistance to aggressive ingredients;
- ease of cleaning and maintenance.
If we talk about the shortcomings of this textile, it should be mentioned that, despite its dense structure, it has a high flowability. In addition, it is not very convenient for sewing, it is difficult to pierce with a needle, and sometimes the fabric “cuts through” at the puncture points. Moleskin may shrink when washed in hot water.
What is made from moleskin?
The first use of this material was work clothes for those who have to work in conditions of high concentrations of dust, open flames, and all kinds of pollution. Widely known "devil's skin" became at the beginning of the last century. With the advent of such technical innovations as the automobile and the plane, the "devil's skin" jumpsuit began to be associated with the romantic professions of pilots and drivers, and fashionable fabric was also used in tailoring. ordinary clothes especially for teenagers and youth.
As practice has shown, the ultra-dense method of weaving moleskin fibers is an ideal filter for various kinds of microparticles, therefore it is widely used for various kinds of protective clothing. In addition, a special refractory and fire-retardant material has been developed.
- For enterprises with increased dust content (cement, flour mills, etc.), moleskin is used, the density of which is 324 g / sq.m (grade S26-YuD).
- For chemical enterprises and when working with acids, the S27-YUD brand with acid-resistant impregnation is used, the density of which is 250 g / sq.m.
- To work in an open flame, a fire-resistant S28-YUD moleskin is required, which can withstand an open flame for half a minute.
This material is also used for various filters, manufacturing artificial leather and in bookbinding.
Moleskin Tests
Very easy care
The main problem is the cleaning of moleskin from dust, which is carried out with a vacuum cleaner or mechanical action. Washing is carried out in a domestic or industrial way in water not hotter than 60 degrees and with detergents without bleach, ironing - with an iron no more than 150 degrees. Treated fabrics must be dry cleaned.
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