Examples of bonded fabrics

Types of bonded fabrics

Bonded fabrics are strong and durable textiles made by sticking different fabric layers or types together, often using heat and pressure. They are often used in items that need to look nice and last a long time, such as clothes, curtains, and upholstery.

Examples of bonded fabrics include:

• Neoprene: The good thing about neoprene (CR) is that it gives heat, air, and water plenty of room. This makes it the perfect choice for wet suits and weather-resistant outerwear. It is an example of a bonded fabric with a foam layer in the middle, which gives it warmth and a lightweight feel. Neoprene can also repel water, meaning it can keep liquid away from it. It stays mostly dry even when it rains a lot, which is essential for designs and makes it an attractive choice for outdoor gear and industrial clothing.
• Bonded leather: Because of synthetic leather production, the bonded leather market has increased significantly in recent years. The biggest part of the global bonded leather market at this time is synthetic fibers. They now occupy more than 70% of the entire market. In addition to microfiber, polyester, and PVC, other synthetic fibers have been used in the production of bonded leather. This number is expected to keep growing as technology improves.
• Bonded polar fleece: This warm and fuzzy fabric is stuck to itself to make a heavy, long-lasting material. Bonded polar fleece is warm, lightweight, and good at keeping water out. Because of these qualities, it is nice for jackets, blankets, and outdoor gear. Plus, it dries off quickly when wet and stands well to getting used a lot.
• Wool Melton: is an excellent example of a bonded fabric. It is smooth and slightly stretchy because it is tightly woven and brushed many times. Not only does it give nice style options, but it also works wonderfully in the cold. Wool melton is essential for making warm winter clothes, coats, and uniforms for colder weather.
• Bonded velvet: is another example of a bonded fabric. It has a deep, soft pile and is stuck down to a strong cloth under it. Because it is stuck to this other fabric, bonded velvet is more robust to tearing and lasting longer than regular velvet, making it more attractive for furniture upholstery, curtains, and luxury clothing items. Besides, bonded velvet is a good choice for people who care about the environment and look for eco-friendly options because it often uses recycled polyester or other sustainable materials in its production.

Specification and maintenance of bonded fabrics

The specifications of bonded fabric will differ based on the materials that are being bonded, the method of bonding, and the desired result.

Some common specifications include the thickness, strength, breathability, composition, use, backing, weight, durability, stretch, texture, adhesion, surface finish, coating, hot melt, and pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Higher quality triple bonded fleece has added qualities like being flame-resistant, waterproof, tear-resistant, or anti-static. The fabric is not totally see-through but is classified as a semi-transparent fabric, and light will shine through as it does not have a tight weave. It has a certain level of breathability.

When using bonded fabric for projects that need to be maintained, it is best to know the type of bond that is used, i.e., heat, pressure, moisture, cold, or hot glue, as this will determine how it can be cleaned and maintained.

Washing bonded fabrics is tricky, but the methods below should assist in determining how to clean bonded fabrics properly.

• Hand Wash: The better option is to wash the item by hand. Use cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Before soaking the item in the water, test the fabric by dabbing a small amount of water on an inconspicuous area. Gently rub the area to see if there is any color bleeding or fabric damage. If the area is fine, soak the entire item but don’t rub too hard, as this may cause fabric pilling. Rinse off all detergent with clean water and lay the item flat to dry.
• Dry Cleaning: If the fabric is bonded to an item of clothing that is dry clean only, then it is best to take it to the dry cleaner.
• Machine Wash: Some bonded fabrics attached to materials are OK to wash in the machine. If unsure, do a spot test as previously mentioned. If it is OK to wash, place the item in a garment bag before washing it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Ensure the item is 100% machine washable before washing.

Scenarios of examples of bonded fabrics

Bonded fabrics have multiple applications across industries owing to their unique combination of two or more textile materials. Below are some key usage examples.

• Apparel Industry

  In the clothing industry, bonded fabrics are often utilized to make outerwear, fashion jackets, sportswear, activewear, cold-weather clothing, lined apparel, athleisure clothing, and sizable bonded fabric garments. Thanks to their durability, water resistance, thermal insulation, and comfort, bonded fabrics have enabled designers to create functional yet fashionable pieces for consumers of all ages.

• Footwear

  In the footwear space, bonded fabrics are commonly used to make functional shoes, waterproof shoes, sports and outdoor footwear, soft insoles, shoe lining, shoelaces, and other related products. Bonded fabrics' strength, moisture-wicking capabilities, and flexibility make them an ideal choice for high-performance footwear design.

• Home Textiles

  In the home textile space, bonded fabrics can be used to make curtains, drapes, blackout curtains, window blinds, insulation material, tablecloths, lightweight fabric lampshades, lining materials, and other related products. This is because bonded fabrics can combine materials to offer functional solutions like noise reduction, thermal insulation, or light control.

• Car upholstery

  Bonded fabrics are widely used in the automotive industry to produce headliners, car seats, door panels, insulating materials, soundproofing linings, car upholstery, and other related products. Their durability, sound absorption, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures make them well-suited for automotive applications.

• Medical field

  In the medical field, bonded fabrics can be used to create waterproof hospital gowns, functional compression sleeves, sport functional sleeves, orthopedic rehabilitation products, antiseptic lining materials, nursing supplies, and other allied products. The strength, sterility, and easy-to-clean characteristics of bonded fabrics make them a practical choice for medical facilities that require high-quality garments and equipment.

• Military Applications

  Bonded textiles are highly sought after in military applications and are often used to make battle dresses, field uniforms, cold-weather battle dresses, tactical clothing, anti-infiltration gear, military functional outfits, and other related products. They are valued for their strength, durability, camouflage capabilities, and resistance to wear and tear.

How to choose examples of bonded fabrics

There are several factors to consider when looking for bonded fabric examples to buy. They include the application, buying from reputable suppliers, the quality of the individual fabrics, and washable bonded fabrics.

Before buying bonded fabrics, it is important to know the application. Knowing the application of the bonded fabric will help buyers identify the right type to purchase. Different bonded materials serve various specific applications. For instance, bonded fleece is commonly used in outerwear to make jackets and coats.

Also, buyers should ensure they are buying from reputable bonded fabric suppliers. Those who sell examples of bonded fabrics for buyers to retail should have good reviews. This makes the buying experience more seamless and less stressful. When dealing with suppliers with a good reputation, buyers can be sure of the quality of the products.

An important thing to do before buying bonded fabrics is to inspect the quality of the individual fabrics. Some bonded fabrics are made from low-quality base fabrics, which affect their performance. Low-quality bonded fabrics easily pill, tear, and fade with time.

Washable bonded fabrics are easier to maintain than non-washable ones. Bonded fabrics can easily be cleaned, which is one of their main selling points. Customers are more likely to choose a bonded fabric because it can be washed regularly and still look great.

Examples of bonded fabrics Q&A

Q1: What are some benefits of bonded fabric?

A1: Bonded fabrics have many benefits, such as increased durability, softness, and flexibility, and they are also warm and lightweight. The bonded fabric also adds a classy look to the garments because it doesn't have seams.

Q2: What kinds of textiles are used in bonded fabrics?

A2: Polyester is the most common fabric for bonded fabrics because it adds a soft touch and feels. But other fabrics like fleece, suede, and leather are also used in bonded fabrics.

Q3: How can one tell if a fabric is bonded?

A3: The simplest way to tell if a fabric is bonded is to look at the underside of the fabric. A true bonded fabric will have two layers that are permanently attached to each other, often with a patterned overlay of glue or heat seal.

Q4: Are wasted fabrics from bonded fabrics companies?

A4: No, bonded fabric companies will try their best to optimize the material to ensure that there is very little wastage. If there is any wastage, they will use it to make smaller items like, face masks, pouches, etc.