June, 1965 E .M. 2555

CURTAIN AND DRAPERY FIBER CHART

(This material is current May 1965 - May 1966) (Information taken from "Home Furnishings Daily", Friday,May 28, 1965)

ACETATE'

Acele by E . I . du Pont de Nemours & Co. Avicolor by American Viscose, division of FMC Corp. (Solution dyed) Avisco Acetate by American Viscose Celaire by Celanese Fibers Co . Celaperrn by Celanese . (Solution dyed) Celanese Acetate by Celanese. Chromspun by Eastman Chemical Products Co. (Solution dyed) Estron by Eastman . Estron SRL by Eastman. Fiber 25 by American Vis cose.

Characteristics -- A soft lustrous hand and good draping qualities are bas ic characteristics of acetates. In the pure state the fibers have average sun fastness and dyeability, and fair to excellent resistance to creasing, mildew, heat or wrinkling .

While acetates are generally recommended for dry cleaning, some constructions are hand washable. Lukewarm, not hot, water should be used in washing with no wringing or twisting . Ironing should be done when nearly dry with a warm iron .

Solution dyed acetates add one important feature to the above characteris tics - colorfastness , particularly to s unlight and washing.

ACRYLICS Acrilan by the Chems trand Corp. Creslan by American Cyanamid Co. Orlon by Du Pont .

Characteristics -= Acrylic fibers are known for a s oft hand that creates a wool-like effect in casement homespun=type drapery cloths. Fibers offer relatively good ease of care features with hand washability, although dry cleaning is the recommended method. Ironing should be done at low tempera ~ ture. These fibers tend to darken after long exposure to sunlight and soften at about 300-315° F .

Color retention is considered good, and one fiber of this type (Acrilan) i s solution dyed. Dimensional stability also is cons ide r e d ex cellent.

Currently, these fibers are used in fabrics in the pure s tate without blends. E .M. 2555 Pa ge 2

GLASS FIBERS Fiberglas by Owens=Corni n g Fiberglas Corp. PPG fiber glass by Pit tsburgh Plate Glass Co .

Char acteri s tics All types of glass fiber yarns are particularly noted for eas e o f care wit h hand washable, drip dry qualities . Currently, all glass fiber fabr i cs in so l id colors are offered with a two-year guarantee against s un f a d i n g.. Other general f eatures include: Resistance to moths, mildew, heat , sun, wrinklin g . They also are fireproof and have good draping features. The fib ers a re durable although they have a strong abrasive quality.

Glass f ibers are available in severa l we ights which offer additional perfor­ mance characteri stics .

DE 75 - ~ A c onti nuous f i l ament yarn offering twice the bulk and weight of convent ional DE 150 yarns. Performance advantages: Heavier and richer texture

in dobby weaves 7 better hand and eye appeal .

DE150 -= Standard weight for casement draperies offering performance quali­ ties listed in gener al s p e cifications.

DE300 - - A continuous filament yarn that is finer and more supple than the standard weight . This weight offers soft hand and improved drapability.

BETA -- F iner d enier filame nt 450 's yarn that is one-half the diameter of a n y glass fiber . Offers s ignificantly improved flexibility; greater drap­ ability a n d s oft hand ; non ~ irritating and resistance to mechanical abuse and abras ion . Available currently in casement and sheer fabrics. Future potent ial includes s lip cove rs and uphols tery and blending with other fibers .

Beta als o i s available in beds pread fabrics, ready-made draperies, curtains an d decor ative pillows.

MODACRYLICS Dynel by Un ion Carbide Corp. Verel by Eastman .

Characteristics = = Moda crylics (modif ied acrylics) are similar to acrylics i n the v e ry s oft and ex cellent draping qualities . In addition, they are noted f o r built =in p e rmanent flame r es i s tance . These fibers resist breakage, c r ackin g o r s plintering in use. Co l or retention is good and whiteness of fiber i s r etained a f t e r long ex pos ur e to s unlight .

Eas e of car e i s off ered with good spot and s tain res istance . These fibers als o o f f e r ex cellent c r ease retention . Wrinkle resistance and durability are good . E .M . 2555 Page 3

NYLON· Antron (trilobal nylon) by Du Pont. Ch·emstrand Nylon by Chemstrand. Enka nylon. by American Enka Corp. Nylon· by Courtaulds North America, Inc. Nylon by DuPont. Nylon· by Beauntt·.

Characteristics -- Nylons are noted for good wearing qualities and ease of car.e . Also important in performance characteristics are wrinkle resistance, durability and dimensional stability (when properly heat set). Nylon, in addition, offers good crease retention.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause the fiber to lose strength or deteriorate slightly. The trilobal types, however, have added resistance to sunlight deterioration.

Nylops of the bright yarn type have greater resistance to sunlight reaction than those in the semi-dull category.

The fiber is strong and will melt before burning.

In stretch types, used for ready-made slip covers, nylon provides strength, recovery and smooth fit in the product.

POLYESTER Blue C by Chemstrand. Dacron by DuPont. Fortrel by Celanese. Kodel by Eastman. Tergal by Societe Rhodiaceta (France). Tetoron by Teijin, Ltd. Vycron by Beaunit Corp.

Characteristics -- Polyester fibers are generally rated excellent for dimen­ sional stability (when properly heat set), durability, crease retention, wrinkle resistance and resistance from abrasion.

Ease of care is considered excellent. The fiber is machine washable in certain constructions - hand washable in others. Little or no ironing is required. Some constructions may be dried in automatic dryers and then hung without pressing.

Resistance to sunlight is excellent when behind glass, but strength decreases after prolonged exposure to the .sun.

Fabrics of 100 per cent polyester and high percentage polyester blends can be permanently pleated. E.M. 2555 Page 4

Blends of polyester with acetate, rayon and cotton will be important, parti­ cularly i n ready-made draperies, bedspreads and curtains. Strength, color dimension and washability are the major features in blends which generally are offered in 50-50 combinations.

For f abrics where polyesters are used in smaller proportions the functional advantages decline proportionately, while the decorative look still is apparent .

RAYON American Bemberg (cuprammonium rayon) by Beaunit. Avicolof by American Viscose. (Solution dyed) Avisco Rayon by American Viscose. Avron by American Viscose. Avril (modified rayon-Fiber 40) by American Viscose. Coloray by Courtaulds . (Solution dyed) Cupioni by Beaunit. Cupracolor by Beaunit . Cuprel by Beaunit . Dy-Lok by Industrial Rayon Co. Enka Rayon by American Enka. Enkrome by American Enka. Fibre Rayon by Courtaulds. Flaikona by Beaunit . Fortisan by Celanese. Jetspun by American Enka. Kolorbon by American Enka. Lirelle (modified rayon) by Courtaulds. Nub-lite by Beaunit. Ondelette by Beaunit. Skybloom by American Enka. Xena (modified rayon) by Beaunit. ~rel Polynosic (modified rayon) by American Enka. Zantrel 700 by American Enka.

Characteristics -- Basic characteristics of rayon fibers are soft hand, good draping quality and relatively inexpensive cost.

These fibers have average resistance to sun fading when not solution dyed, but advance to excellent when used as solution dyed rayon. Rayons burn relatively quickly, depending on construction, although heat resistance is excellent . Abrasion resistance is rated as fair to good. The fibers lose strength above 450 degrees and decompose above that mark. Dyeability is excellent; wrinkle resistance and dimensional stability are fair; crease retention is poor, and durability is fair to good.

Within the rayon category are many classifications that result in brighter yarns, type of slub or modifications that provide greater strength, wash­ ability and ease of care. E.M. 2555 Page 5

Modified rayons such as Avril and Zantrel offer uniform dye absorption and a st.rong resemblance to performance of cotton in strength, launderability. These fibers als.o. can be Sanforized and mercerized. They offer superior shape retention, durability, crisp firm hand, good drapability and a sub­ dued luster.

SARAN Rovanna and Anavor by Dow Chemical Co. Saranspun by National Plastics Products Co.

Characteristics -- Saran is noted for excellent ease-of-care qualities and can by machine washed in water under 14QO F. as well as dry cleaned. Fabrics are unaffected by sunlight, retaining full strength for the life of the fabric. The fibers are non-flammable and will not support combustion.

Other qualities include: Good dyeability, crease retention, wrinkle and abrasion resistance, good draping and a soft hand.

Saran fibers are frequently blended with rayon and modacrylics with the highest percentage found in the saran.

Fabrics made of saran fibers must be heat set to insure dimensional stability.

SPANDEX Blue C by Chemstrand . Lycra by DuPont. Vyrene by U. S. Rubber.

Characteristics -- The basic qualities of this fiber -- introduced for spring '65 in ready-made slip covers -- is its greater stretchability and recovery. It will be used in combination with rayon, nylon and cotton or any one of the three. Color retention, durability, washability and main­ tenance of resilience are considered excellent.

as