Fill power has nothing to do with filling weight. It defines the bulking capacity which means the ability to expand back to the original volume after having been exposed to pressure.
Down and feathers can be strongly compressed which means that they have a very small volume under pressure. When the pressure – for example through the weight of a human body – stops, they will quickly recover their old shape. One can crush them countless times and they will always recover their old shape, since they are very resilient. Thereby they constantly form air-filled pockets which ensure the heat- insulating effect.
There are different procedures for the measurement of the fill power:
The exact requirements for the measurement of the fill power are defined in the European standard EN 12130.
According to that, fill power is specified as “height of the volume occupied by filling material subjected to a specific pressure, expressed in millimetres”. (EN 12130).
The feathers and down are filled into a measuring cylinder and at first loosened by air which is blown in during a fixed period. Afterwards, a pressing plate and a measuring stick are set into the cylinder. The pressing plate compresses the feathers/down and moves downward. After a fixed period of time one can read off at which figure the pressing plate has stopped. This height (in millimetres) is read off at the measuring stick. Fill power is therefore expressed in millimetres.
This testing method is an important precondition for the producer to evaluate the quality of feathers and down.
This testing method is an important precondition for the producer to evaluate the quality of feathers and down. Fill power is the necessary prerequisite for “warmth without weight”. Therefore, a high fill power of bedding products is an especially important quality feature.
Further information at DOWNAPEDIA:
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Verband der Deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e.V.
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