Bonded fabric is a material that consists of fibers joined together by an adhesive to form a sheet. An example is felt, consisting of many layers of bonded fibers. An essential property of bonded fabrics is their heat-resistant qualities because an adhesive transfers heat very slowly.
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Examples of bonded fabrics
Bonded fabric joins two or more layers into one material using resins or adhesives. Bonded fabrics are fundamental in today’s economy and are used in various applications.
Bonded fabrics can mix textiles with other materials like rubber, plastic, or metal; they are also used in many industrial applications such as automotive components, insulation products, and packaging.
Some examples of bonded fabrics include:
- Pre-pregs – carbon fiber fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin that is then backed with fiberglass cloth (used prominently in the aerospace industry); *
- Tapes – thin sheets that provide easy handling and resistance against weathering;
- Textiles – materials that are made with yarns, fibers, or strands of various types;
- Sheets – used in various applications where the fabric is cut into shapes and pieces to be put together in the final structure.
These bonded fabrics can be produced in different ways. There can be direct bonding, in which two sheets are placed face-to-face and heated by hot air or infrared radiation so that polymeric resins can flow between them.
There is indirect bonding, where one sheet is placed directly on top of another, but there is no direct contact with the resin (this method involves using an adhesive transfer film). The fabrics can also come in many forms, including powder (produced through compression molding), resin (the most common), and even paste (made by heating and rolling of granules, resin, and additives).
The most common resins used in bonded fabrics include polyesters, epoxy, phenolic, and polyimide. They strengthen the final product while increasing its resistance to heat and chemicals.
There are many applications for bonded fabrics, depending on what material is used and how it’s manufactured. Nonwoven glass fabrics can be used for insulation purposes; metal meshes can be found in protective shields; certain textiles made with Kevlar® aramid fiber are used in bulletproof vests or helmets worn by soldiers. The automotive industry uses such materials extensively in wiring harnesses or fuel lines.
What can you make with bonded fabric?
The process of joining together material like this is referred to as lamination. Laminating or bonding the fabric is usually done with heat and pressure to create thicker fabrics that can be used in many ways, including apparel, home decor, upholstery, etc.
Breaking it down even further, there are several types of bonded fabrics:
Nonwoven fabric is created by pushing two materials together through air pockets, resulting in a very thin layer between them, essentially gluing them together. This bonded fabric has no significant strength but is intensely layered with other products creating more durable fabrics. Nonwoven fabrics are very popular in clothing, bedding, and other home decor products because they feel soft.
Woven – A woven bonded fabric is created by joining long strands together and weaving them into a pattern, creating one thick cloth that can be used for many things, including apparel, home decor, upholstery, etc. This type of bonding is often done with polyester but can also be done with natural fibers like cotton or linen.
One significant benefit of using this type of fabric is its ability to stretch, which allows it to be fitted on practically any piece of furniture or kept taut enough, so wrinkles won’t form over time, making it perfect for window treatments like curtains and blinds.
Nonwoven/Woven – This fabric has both woven and nonwoven fabrics bonded together to create a more tightly woven thick fabric with excellent durability. Creating this type of fabric starts by first bonding the layers together through heat and pressure, resulting in a more tightly woven pattern forming.
After it’s been pressed down, this entire sheet is put into an oven where the heat activates the glue between the materials allowing them to flow together, transforming into one solid fabric. Not many types of products have this type of construction because it is labor-intensive, but those who use them find great benefits like increased softness, high-quality design, easy cleaning, etc.
Is cotton bonded fabric?
Yes, cotton is bonded fabric. Bonded fabrics are made using flat woven sheets of cotton fabric that are then cut and reopened with heat to add a poly backing material such as polyester or rayon. this results in an extremely strong single-layer composite cloth that performs similarly to multi-layer composite cloth when used in the manufacture of protective apparel.
The benefits of bonded fabric
There are many benefits to the bonded fabric. Below are listed some of these benefits and several examples of how the process works.
Benefits
Some quilters enjoy doing projects out of bonded fabric because it makes piecing challenging and exciting rather than monotonous. – Quilters also enjoy this project for its durability compared to regular fabric. -Bonded fabrics are fantastic for bags, purses, wallets, totes, etc., due to their lasting nature and waterproof ability (perfect for wet clothes). -Many other craft projects use bonded fabric, including appliques, quilted garments, etc.
Bonded fabrics are difficult to rip or tear, providing long-lasting durability in any project. Most notably, when using bonded fabric, you reduce the time spent working with frustrating pins and needles.
How does bonded fabric work for general use?
Creating this material is relatively simple and involves only two steps: Ironing and pressing!
First, cut out your desired fabric shapes and arrange them on top of one another so you know how they will sit once sewn together. Next, place parchment paper between all layers, so they do not stick together. After this step is completed, it is time to iron! Iron the fabric according to the directions of your particular material. After the layers have been bonded together, adding a final touch by pressing the top with iron is time. You mustn’t use steam or spray starch when pressing, as these can detach layers from each other and reduce the bonding power of this technique.
Conclusion
To create a pattern from your desired shape, you must line up two similar shapes and trace them onto parchment paper using a marker or pen. This pattern will be used for future projects, so save it!
For example, Quilted jackets, Clothing, Bags, Purses, wallets, and more… Many other craft projects use bonded fabric, including appliques and quilted garments. Shoes are also an example of clothing popularly made from this robust material.