How is polyester mesh fabric made?

12 Aug.,2024

 

Polyester Mesh: A Complete Fabric Guide | Properties, ...

One of the pillars of Jason Mills&#; knit fabrics product line is polyester mesh. This versatile material is used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications, ranging from the aerospace and automotive sectors to the marine and medical sectors as well as the indoor and outdoor recreational trade.

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The following article provides an overview of polyester mesh, discussing its properties, advantages, and applications. It also outlines the differences between polyester and nylon mesh and the importance of fabric finishing and treatment in achieving a particular end-use outcome or performance.

 

An Overview of Polyester Mesh Fabric

The term &#;knit mesh fabric&#; is a general expression used to describe material that is constructed with an open hole structure through the process of knitting (as opposed to weaving which is separate operation). Beyond this broad characteristic, the design of a specific knit mesh material can vary from others in regard to yarn, material weight, aperture opening, width, color, and finish. Polyester yarn is one of the most commonly used fibers in the manufacture of knit mesh fabric.

Polyester consists of flexible, synthetic polymer fibers created through a chemical reaction between alcohol, carboxylic acid, and a petroleum byproduct. The resulting fibers are then stretched and oriented together to form a strong yarn that naturally repels water, resists staining, ultraviolet degradation, and holds up to frequent use. (Please note, water-resistance and other properties inherent in polyester yarn must be enhanced within the finishing process if it is necessary for the performance of the material. This is discussed in greater detail below.)

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Properties and Advantages of Polyester Mesh Fabric

Compared to other mesh materials, polyester fabric exhibits a number of advantageous properties that make it suitable for use in a variety of industrial, commercial, and recreational applications, such as:

  • Ease of use and accessibility. Polyester is a common fiber available at most textile manufacturing facilities. When treated with a light resin the mesh material is easy to install (sew) and clean, thus reducing excess time and labor required for its integration and maintenance.
  • Dimensional stability. Polyester fibers demonstrate good elasticity, which allows the material to return to its original shape after it is stretched by up to 5&#;6%. It&#;s important to note that mechanical stretch is different from fiber stretch. One can design hi-stretch material using dimensionally stable yarns.
  • Durability. Polyester mesh fabric is highly resilient, offering inherent resistance to damage and degradation stemming from acidic and alkaline chemicals, corrosion, flames, heat, light, mold and mildew, and wear. Factors such a yarn weight (denier), entanglement, and filament count all are critical in determining durability.
  • Hydrophobicity: Polyester mesh is hydrophobic&#;i.e., tends to repel water&#;which translates to superior pigment absorption (meaning easier dyeing operations- as opposed to type 6 or 66 nylon) and drying times (meaning better moisture-wicking properties).

Altogether, these characteristics suit the material for use in a wide range of applications, including ones involving outdoor and demanding environmental conditions.

Fabric Applications

 

As indicated above, polyester mesh fabric is highly versatile. Some of the industries that regularly employ the material for their parts and products include:

The exact properties exhibited by the polyester mesh fabric employed depend on the needs of the application and industry.

Knit mesh fabric is most commonly made from either polyester or nylon yarns. While the two synthetic polymers share some properties&#;e.g., lightweight, durability, and tear resistance&#;there are several key distinctions that make them suitable for different applications.

  • Nylon has a smoother and softer feel than polyester, which in some situations makes it more ideal for use in applications requiring high aesthetic quality or user comfort. But, as noted above, other factors such as a high filament count can make polyester just as drapey as soft nylon.
  • Nylon is hydrophilic (absorbs water), while polyester is hydrophobic (repels water). As such, the former is more likely to be bogged down with water in high-moisture or high-humidity environments, while the latter dries quickly in marine and aquatic settings.
  • Nylon fibers are innately resistant to wear from bending and stretching, while polyester fibers are inherently resistant to heat and UV rays. These qualities make nylon mesh more suitable for applications where the material will be regularly subjected to bending and stretching, and polyester mesh more suitable for end uses where stability is key and for environments exposed to heat and sunlight. And again, it needs to be noted that these inherent qualities are basic at best. Finishing and treatment are key to performance. See below.

 

The Importance of Fabric Finishing and Treatment

The functional and aesthetic properties demonstrated by a polyester mesh fabric are dependent upon many factors. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the final stages of textile production, otherwise known as &#;the finish&#;. The finish is typically a topically applied chemical that is set by heat during the process called framing. Once completed, these processes can affect the texture, weight, firmness, colorfastness, and resistances (UV, fire, etc.) of the final material.

As indicated above, the properties exhibited by a fully finished and treated polyester mesh fabric vary depending on the needs of the application and the industry. Some examples include:

  • Antibacterial finishes: Topically applied anti-microbial finishes eliminate bacterial growth on the surface of the fabric. Bacteria growth creates odor and is also responsible for various healthcare-associated infections. This makes the need for these types of finishes essential for equipment used in the medical and healthcare industries. They are also suitable for sporting equipment as they minimize the spread of odor-causing bacteria.
  • Anti-static finishes: In operations involving sensitive electrical and electronic components, it is important to minimize the buildup of static charge. Fabrics with anti-static coatings reduce the risk of employees and equipment producing static discharge that impacts the integrity of the components.
  • UV resistant finishes: Untreated material exposed to UV rays fades and degrades over time. As such, polyester mesh intended for use in outdoor environments (e.g., recreational equipment) requires the addition of UV inhibitors to the fabric finish or dye formulation to retain the original integrity.
  • Fire Resistant finishes: One of the most commonly used finishes; used to achieve FR compliance in the automotive industry, aeronautical industry, and architectural interior industry (think curtains and indoor rec areas).

Jason Mills: The Experts in Polyester Mesh Fabric Solutions

Polyester knit mesh is a material solution that finds use across a wide range of industrial, commercial, and recreational sectors. Its strength, stability, and durability make it well-suited for many applications. For customers looking for high-quality polyester mesh fabric, the team at Jason Mills is here to help.

At Jason Mills, we specialize in the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution of industrial polyester and nylon knit mesh. We offer a broad selection of standard textiles and custom-tailored fabric solutions for customers with highly specific or unique needs. For additional information about our standard and custom textiles, contact us or request a quote today.

 

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Mesh Fabric - Everything You Need To Know

Mesh Fabric: What Is Mesh Fabric And How To Use Them

You&#;re probably familiar with the tutus of the dancing ballerinas that you see when they&#;re performing. Or, you might have seen someone wear the ever-so-sexy fishnet stockings during night outs.

Those fabrics with little holes are called mesh fabrics, which are one of today&#;s most distinctive fabrics.

Mesh has been around for a century. Fishermen originally used these in the form of fish nets. But, it was only during the late 18th century that mesh was used as a fabric. It was first produced by British mill owner Lewis Haslam.

Mesh fabrics were originally called Aertex due to their breathability from the holes. But, it only became popularly known during the s as mesh fabric.

Mesh textiles are used in various products, from apparel to home furnishings.

What Is Mesh Fabric?

Mesh fabric is a loosely-knit fabric. It&#;s a knit fabric that follows a grid pattern with evenly spaced holes for breathability, forming a net-like appearance.

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These fabrics come in different weights, mesh shapes, elasticity, and thicknesses. So, they may look and feel very different compared to other mesh textiles.

Characteristics of mesh fabrics

The most known characteristic of mesh textiles is their breathability. This is because of the holes present in the fabric. But, there are also more characteristics as to why people choose to use this fabric:

Breathable

Because of the loose pattern of mesh fabric, it&#;s very breathable, even if it&#;s made from polyester or nylon. Heat and sweat escape from the holes in the fabric, making it a good choice for sportswear.

Easy to maintain

Mesh textiles are relatively easy to maintain because of their moisture-wicking properties and are synthetic.

Wrinkle-free

Mesh doesn&#;t easily wrinkle because it is knitted. So, you don&#;t have to iron them.

Strong

Mesh textiles were made to be strong because of their original purpose&#;catching fish. It&#;s also made from synthetic materials that even strengthen it.

Elastic

Mesh fabric is a type of knitted fabric, which means it will stretch well.

Water-resistant

Like polyester and nylon fabrics, mesh fabrics are water resistant. Thus, it&#;s a good choice to make sports apparel for its wicking properties.

What kind of material is mesh?

Mesh cloth can be made from different materials. But, most mesh materials are typically made from polyester, nylon, and spandex. This is because mesh textiles are made to be strong, so synthetic materials are the preferred choice of materials to make mesh.

What is the strongest mesh material?

Mesh cloth made from polyester is the strongest mesh material. Studies say that polyester mesh has 112 pounds of tensile strength and 31 pounds of tear strength. In fact, the polyester mesh is 100% stronger than fiberglass.

Polyester mesh can survive many rigorous and extreme conditions, so you can imagine how strong polyester mesh is!

How Are Mesh Fabrics Made?

Mesh fabrics are made differently depending on the fiber used for the fabric. But most of them start with extracting polyamide monomers from petroleum.

The polyamide monomers are then mixed with acids to create polymers. The polymers will then be melted into a machine to create polymer strands.

These are then dyed to the manufacturer&#;s color of choice and shipped to the textile factory. That&#;s where they knit the polymer fibers into the fabric.

Types of Mesh Fabrics

Because mesh fabric can be used in various products, there are also many different types of mesh. Here are the most common types of mesh fabrics.

Polyester mesh

Polyester mesh is a mesh textile that&#;s made from polyester. It is the strongest type of mesh and is lightweight. Polyester mesh is good for wicking sweat. Thus, it&#;s mostly used for sportswear.

Nylon mesh

Nylon mesh isn&#;t used as much compared to polyester mesh. This is because it&#;s mostly used for home items. Nylon mesh is used for tent screens, laundry hampers, and beekeeping veils. But, it can also be used for evening dresses.

Tulle

Tulle is a mesh textile with a hexagon pattern instead of the regular grid pattern. Tulle is frequently used in performance attire, such as ballerina tutus. It is usually stacked together to create a more bouncy and textured appearance.

Power mesh

Power mesh is more elastic compared to regular mesh. Thus, this is mostly used for sportswear and shapewear. Power mesh is also known as a power net.

What Is Mesh Fabric Used For? Applications Of Mesh Fabric

Mesh fabric can be produced in different shapes, sizes, and materials because of its versatility. Here are the most popular uses of this fabric.

Intimate apparel, hosiery, and shapewear

Mesh is mostly seen in intimate apparel, hosiery, and shapewear. This is because of the intricate pattern it has, which is loved by many, as well as the comfort it provides. This can be used in lingerie, tights, stockings, and form-fitting undergarments.

Sportswear

Another popular use of mesh textiles is for sportswear. Because of mesh fabric&#;s lightness and breathability, it is commonly used in leggings, sports bras, swimsuits, and other sports apparel.

Home use

Mesh fabrics are not limited only to apparel use. It can also be used for your home. The fabric can be used as blinds, mosquito nets, awnings, laundry hampers, etc.

Net products

Mesh was originally used for fishing and is still used for this purpose today. But compared to before, when they used ropes, fishermen now use nets made from synthetic mesh textile.

Medical use

While many overlook this, mesh fabric is also used in medicine. What they use is surgical mesh. It&#;s used for hernia operations or whenever there are prolapses.

Can You Sew On Mesh Fabric?

Yes, mesh fabric is still considered fabric. So, you can definitely sew on the fabric. Here&#;s how:

How to sew mesh cloth

Mesh cloth is considered a knit fabric. So, treat it as a knit when sewing mesh fabrics. You can either do the following:

  • Use a serger, overlocker, or edging machine to sew mesh fabric.
  • Use a portable sewing machine with a ballpoint needle and a zigzag stitch.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things that you can create with mesh textiles because of their versatility. You can create your favorite sportswear, a costume, a body shaper, or even sexy lingerie!

You can also make home items like a laundry hamper or a mosquito net. If you feel more adventurous, you could also make tent covers, outdoor gear, and fishing nets!

With so many things you can do with mesh fabrics, you can surely use them for one of your projects!

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