Material science

Material science

Material science

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Material science
Füllung

What is meant by fill weight?

Fill weight defines the weight of the filling (fill mass) of a bedding product as for instance a duvet or a pillow.
The fill weight is not identical with the total weight as the weight of the textile cover, the shell, also has to be added to it.
 
In general, a higher fill weight means a higher degree of insulating capacity. Then again, the duvet should not be too heavy, burden the sleeper but adapt optimally to the body. That is the reason why down duvets are so popular: Down are very much lighter than feathers.
Fill weight defines the weight of the filling (fill mass) of a bedding product as for instance a duvet or a pillow.
The fill weight is not identical with the total weight as the weight of the textile cover, the shell, also has to be added to it.
 
In general, a higher fill weight means a higher degree of insulating capacity. Then again, the duvet should not be too heavy, burden the sleeper but adapt optimally to the body. That is the reason why down duvets are so popular: Down are very much lighter than feathers. Despite the same weight, they have a much larger volume and can enclose a high amount of air which is a poor heat conductor. The result: Down are light but at the same time they offer excellent thermal insulation properties.
Fill weight is not to be confused with fill power.
 
When buying a duvet, one should pay attention to a suitable proportion of fill weight and total weight.
A duvet consists of the fill weight and the weight of the cover, the so-called shell. A low fill weight of down and/or feathers combined with a heavy cover makes a heavy total weight with only a minor insulating capacity. This means an unnecessarily high weight while asleep.
 

 

Further information at :

 

 

Hüllen Füllung

What is meant by “bed ticking“ and “cambric“?

Down and feathers must be filled into a tightly woven, but at the same time breathable shell. The shell must safely prevent the filling components (for instance parts of down and feathers) from penetrating the fabric. Furthermore, it shall support the properties of the filling materials such as regulation of humidity and breathability.
 
On the other hand, no parts from outside (e. g. skin scales or house dust mites) should get into the filling.
Down and feathers must be filled into a tightly woven, but at the same time breathable shell. The shell must safely prevent the filling components (for instance parts of down and feathers) from penetrating the fabric. Furthermore, it shall support the properties of the filling materials such as regulation of humidity and breathability.
 
On the other hand, no parts from outside (e. g. skin scales or house dust mites) should get into the filling. This aspect is crucial, since a top-quality fabric is the basis ensuring that the bedding article is suitable for house dust mite allergy sufferers.
 
To ensure ideal sleeping comfort the shells must be breathable so that the humidity absorbed by the filling can be transmitted outwards. Cotton is the most suitable raw material forming the basis for shells.
Depending on the range of quality medium or long-stapled grades of maco cotton are employed.
 
Maco is an extra fine, silky sort of cotton (for instance Egyptian maco cotton) which is spun from an extra long staple and more valuable than other grades of cotton. Fine threads are spun from Maco cotton which are suited for the production of most delicate tickings and cambric fabrics. A distinction is made between short-stapled (ca. 22 mm), medium-stapled (22-29 mm) and long-stapled (30-35 mm) cotton. The long-stapled sorts of cotton offer top quality fabrics.
 
Down-proof fabrics are characterised by their special delicacy, lightness and drape-ability.
 
A distinction is made between
 

Ticking (also called twill): Fabric mainly used for pillows. It is spun in twill weave.

Twill weave means that two thirds of the softer and more voluminous weft yarn are situated on the left side which later faces the down and feathers.
When using the bedding article the soft weft yarn at the inner surface ensures a fine felting of the cloth which is even intensified by small parts of the feather filling and thus enhances the density of the fabric.

 

 

 

 

Cambric (also called Percale): Fabric mainly used for quilts. Cambric is woven in plain weave.


Plain weave is the simplest, the oldest and at the same time the most tightly woven fabric.
 
In this mode of weaving, each warp thread and weft thread are crossed over. .
 
The yarn count is crucially important with down-proof fabrics. The figure indicating the fineness is called yarn count (Nm). The higher the yarn count, the more delicate and lighter is the fabric. The application of very fine yarns allows to keep the fabric pores as small as possible to prevent down particles from penetrating the shell fabric.

The yarn count of high-quality fine fabrics ranges between 70 to 100 Nm.

The yarn notation stands for the proportion between the barrel length and the weight of the material (yarn thickness).

Example: Yarn notation Nm 50 signifies that one kilogramme of this yarn has a barrel length of 50 000 metres. The finest yarn notation used for cambric fabrics is Nm 135, i. e. 1 kilogramme of such yarn has a barrel length of 135 000 metres.

 
Wärmeisolation

What is meant by “warmth without weight“?

Among experts, this term describes the capability of feathers and especially of down to offer a high degree of thermal insulation without much weight ensuring excellent sleep comfort.
Among experts, this term describes the capability of feathers and especially of down to offer a high degree of thermal insulation without much weight ensuring excellent sleep comfort. “Down and feathers trap air in between“ is a common phrase in the market.
 
Due to their three-dimensional structure the countless, finely branched down form millions of small air-filled pockets which make up a large percentage of the volume of the quilt.
Since air is not a good heat conductor the countless air-filled pockets make up an insulating layer just like double glazed windows. This insulating layer prevents the heat of the body from disappearing.

The structure and resiliency of down enables down to recover its original volume after having been subjected to specific pressure.
 
 
Source: ARO Artländer GmbH, Kettenkamp.
  
Down and feathers can be compressed to a small volume then. If the pressure, for instance the weight of a human body, is removed, the down and feathers will quickly recover their original shape. Since they are resilient, they can be compressed a billion times and recover their original shape again and again. In the course of this down and feathers form countless air-filled pads which act as an insulating layer.

Due to their three-dimensional structure and the capability to continuously recover their original shape, down store quite large amounts of air in relation to their weight. Since down are very light, they keep the sleeper warm and comfortable without much weight.
 
Federn Daunen Federngewinnung

Which are the characteristic features of feathers and down from poultry?

 
Feathers and down from waterfowl (geese and ducks) are a unique natural resource of high quality. Used as filling for quilts, pillows and clothing, this material is distinguished by qualities such as breathability, humidity transport and thermal insulation together with a low weight.
 
Feathers and down from waterfowl (geese and ducks) are a unique natural resource of high quality. Used as filling for quilts, pillows and clothing, this material is distinguished by qualities such as breathability, humidity transport and thermal insulation together with a low weight. These special features account for the homogeneous distribution of feathers and down, for instance, in a quilt as well as for the fact that already small amounts of feathers and down are sufficient for the filling of a quilt.
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Daunen

Which down are the best ones?

Usually, the larger down are considered the best ones, because they provide better fill power values than smaller down, and therefore they can store larger amounts of air in between. Since larger down derive from big adult birds, usually geese provide top quality. But also big ducks supply fine quality- down. However, goose down show a slightly different structure under the microscope.
Usually, the larger down are considered the best ones, because they provide better fill power values than smaller down, and therefore they can store larger amounts of air in between. Since larger down derive from big adult birds, usually geese provide top quality. But also big ducks supply fine quality- down. However, goose down show a slightly different structure under the microscope. Large goose down tend to be stronger and provide better fill power figures.
 
The unchallenged number one though is the eiderduck down which is the most high- grade and most expensive down deriving from rather small ducks. Even so, eiderduck down are larger than all other down and provide unmatched fill power figures and heat-insulation capacities.
 
Federn Wärmeisolation

What kinds of feathers offer favourable heat-insulating properties?

Due to their chemical structure, feathers are poor heat conductors. Besides, they form millions of small hollows (air pockets) imbedding a large volume of air which acts as an insulating layer.
 
Goose and duck feathers have a curved and soft quill which brings about excellent fill power, i. e. the capacity to unfold the largest possible volume again and again, at the same time imbedding millions of insulating air pockets.
 
Chicken feathers, however, have a flat shape. The main part of the quill is flat, i.e. the firm shaft in the middle.
Due to their chemical structure, feathers are poor heat conductors. Besides, they form millions of small hollows (air pockets) imbedding a large volume of air which acts as an insulating layer.
 
Goose and duck feathers have a curved and soft quill which brings about excellent fill power, i. e. the capacity to unfold the largest possible volume again and again, at the same time imbedding millions of insulating air pockets.
 
Chicken feathers, however, have a flat shape. The main part of the quill is flat, i.e. the firm shaft in the middle. They are not resilient enough to “fluff up“ again, for instance after having been compressed by the human body. Therefore, they are less suitable as filling material for pillows and duvets than the plumage of waterfowl.
 
Goose and duck feathers place underneath down as well as regards fill power and insulating capacities. Nevertheless, they are frequently used as filling material for pillows - partially in combination with down.
 
Further information at DOWNAPEDIA:

 

Federn Daunen Füllung Vorteile von Daunen- und Federbetten

What blends of down and feathers are most suitable?

The appropriate blend depends in particular on the individual need for warmth when asleep. Nowadays, most people usually prefer a high percentage of down.
 
Lightweight down provide best fill power values and a high degree of thermal insulation. With a higher percentage of feathers, the weight of the duvets increases, because feathers are heavier than down.
 
Due to large fill power values down are capable of being able to keep the body warm without much weight, that is to say the bulking capacity.
The appropriate blend depends in particular on the individual need for warmth when asleep. Nowadays, most people usually prefer a high percentage of down.
 
Lightweight down provide best fill power values and a high degree of thermal insulation. With a higher percentage of feathers, the weight of the duvets increases, because feathers are heavier than down.
 
Due to large fill power values down are capable of being able to keep the body warm without much weight, that is to say the bulking capacity. A down-filled duvet always contains a blend of down and insulating air-filled pockets. The air-pockets among the single down make the duvet lightweight in relation to its volume. Thus, a down-filled duvet can keep the body warm and comfortable with very little weight.
 
Therefore, down satisfy all requirements for a perfect sleeping comfort: They are light and assure an excellent climate regulation. Pleasant warmth is quickly created and the perspiration absorbed is steadily being eliminated.
 
There are different types of down-filled duvets available. Depending on the filling weight they are manufactured for summer or winter.
Especially, a duvet containing 100 % of down keeps the sleeper pleasantly warm and cosy with very little weight at the same time. Another favoured blend consists of 90 % down and 10 % feathers.
Pillows, however, require a filling material which is able to support the head. In this case, feather-down blends are preferred, but more and more people, however, prefer a soft down-filled pillow.

 

Further information at :

 

Herkunft Federn Daunen

What are the regions of origin of down and feathers?

Raw down and feathers, the so-called raw material, traditionally come from Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland) and Asia (China, Taiwan) but countries like Canada, France and Russia also supply significant quantities. The regions of area are also called provenance.
 
The filling material is mainly imported from countries in which poultry is mainly kept for the purpose of human nutrition and therefore intensive poultry farming is conducted. That applies to China among others.
Raw down and feathers, the so-called raw material, traditionally come from Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland) and Asia (China, Taiwan) but countries like Canada, France and Russia also supply significant quantities. The regions of area are also called provenance.
 
The filling material is mainly imported from countries in which poultry is mainly kept for the purpose of human nutrition and therefore intensive poultry farming is conducted. That applies to China among others. In contrast, poultry farming in Hungary and Poland is conducted with the main goal of meat export. In France, especially those ducks are bred whose feathers can be partly used for the home requirements and partly for the export.
 
The climate in which the birds live plays an important role for the quality of down and feathers. Geese and ducks, which live in regions with short summers and long winters (e.g. Iceland, Canada, Siberia) develop a correspondent plumage that protects them against extreme cold. Those down and feathers therefore have an especial high heat-insulating capacity.

 
Hüllen Hausstaubmilbenallergie NOMITE

Do producers use chemicals in NOMITE bedding to avoid the entering of dust mites?

No. Bedding labeled with the NOMITE label has a special, tightly woven but still breathable ticking, in which down and feathers are filled. This exceptional fabric for pillows and blankets form a mechanical and thus natural barrier for house dust mites. Only these pillows and duvets are allowed to be labeled with the “NOMITE” label.
 
No. Bedding labeled with the NOMITE label has a special, tightly woven but still breathable ticking, in which down and feathers are filled. This exceptional fabric for pillows and blankets form a mechanical and thus natural barrier for house dust mites. Only these pillows and duvets are allowed to be labeled with the “NOMITE” label.
 
Federngewinnung

If he wants to - how can the final consumer when purchasing a quilt ensure that the down and feathers were not harvested from the live animals?

 
He cannot recognize it by the finished product. However, as a rule down and feathers harvested from the live animal are much more expensive (huger personnel expenditures, larger down, huger expenditures as regards logistics) than the material deriving from the animal after slaughtering anyway. This amounts to ca. 98% of the total supply.
 
He cannot recognize it by the finished product. However, as a rule down and feathers harvested from the live animal are much more expensive (huger personnel expenditures, larger down, huger expenditures as regards logistics) than the material deriving from the animal after slaughtering anyway. This amounts to ca. 98% of the total supply.