Progress does not stand still, and the usual materials for insulation are being replaced by more durable and high-quality ones. We are all used to hearing about such fillers as padding polyester, holofiber and others. They have been replaced by a new, no less warm material. What Thinsulate is can be found out from various information sources, but manufacturers have long appreciated its quality and widely use it for their products.
First of all, Thinsulate is a non-woven material. It consists of many fibers intertwined with each other. This material has many advantages, for example:
Thinsulate was developed by American scientists for use in space applications. But this material performed so well in various tests that it was soon recognized as one of best views insulation materials. Thinsulate itself is completely synthetic, it is created using polyesters.
The use of the material is widespread. It is no longer a secret that Thinsulate has good thermal conductivity properties. That is why a thin layer of this material is much warmer than thick layers of down or padding polyester.
Most often, Thinsulate is used for:
Thinsulate is often compared with other types of insulation and this is not surprising. At first glance, it’s hard to believe that there is a material that can retain heat and be moisture resistant. In order to fully understand the advantages of this material, it is enough to consider the properties of its main competitors.
Holofiber is a completely synthetic material that has a porous-fiber structure, which allows it to be the main competitor to Thinsulate. But still, it has disadvantages, and they are associated, first of all, with the lack of moisture absorption.
Thermofinn is a material that was developed in Russia. It has such qualities as elasticity and air conductivity. Thanks to this, it can compete with synthetic winterizer.
Isosoft is almost as good as Thinsulate. Developed in Belgium, the main characteristics are thermal conductivity and moisture resistance. Quite elastic. The structure of the fabric is a layered material with spherical inclusions of fibers.
Down filling is perhaps the most famous material. It is very warm and in this quality can compete with Thinsulate. But it also has a number of disadvantages, such as lint rolling after washing, loss of volume and, as a consequence, loss of thermal conductivity.
When choosing clothes with Thinsulate insulation, you need to immediately understand for what type of wear it is required. This is due, first of all, to the fact that there is a gradation of Thinsulate.
If clothes are purchased for an active type of recreation, then “flex thinsulate” is required. It has such qualities as wear resistance, flexibility and extensibility.
The “classic comfort” type includes Thinsulate, intended for sports winter suits and for insulating gloves.
"Lightloft" Thinsulate is suitable for tourist clothing, because... keeps its shape perfectly.
“Ultra” Thinsulate is used primarily for insulating ski suits.
There are thicker types of Thinsulate; they are designed for harsh weather conditions, as they retain heat well.
It is worth distinguishing Thinsulate into the following types:
Although the creators of Thinsulate promise that this material will withstand any type of washing and processing, it is best to use gentle washing modes in an automatic machine. This will allow the filler not to lose its properties. It is also worth remembering that for spinning you should choose no more than 700 rpm. Advantages are best given to soft detergents, although manufacturers claim that Thinsulate can withstand the most aggressive powders and products.
After washing, it is best to dry Thinsulate products flat out. Hanging wet clothes is not allowed.
To prevent clothes from absorbing various odors, it is best to store them in a bag or in a special case. Clothes made from Thinsulate will not lose their shape if you store them flat on hangers in the closet.
Thinsulate is the latest development of American scientists. Excellent material that has many useful qualities. Thinsulate clothing is suitable for both adults and children. Does not require special care or storage. This insulation is not fussy about washing and ironing.
More than 20 years ago, the American company 3M (Minnesote Mining Manufacturing) set itself the task of creating insulation for space suits. At the same time, a technology was developed for the production of synthetic material based on microfibers, which surpassed swan's down in its heat-preserving characteristics. The created material was called Thinsulate (from the English thin - thin, insulation - insulation). In recent years, this material has been replacing synthetic winterizer in the production of a wide range of warm clothing for adults, children, skiers and polar explorers.
The creators of Thinsulate tried to come up with a material capable of containing and holding a large number of air. For this purpose, hollow polyester microfibers were created, externally coated with silicone 2-10 microns thick, which is 50 times thinner than a human hair. For elasticity, the fibers are given a spiral shape, causing the material to work like a spring - quickly restoring volume after deformation or compression. The light weight of the fibers and the ability to hold a larger amount of air determined the advantage of this material over other insulation materials.
Thinsulate has been produced by 3M since 1973, and its creation began on lines for the production of adhesive tape (adhesive tape). The basis for the creation is polyesters created on the basis of organic polymers. At the initial stage, polyester fibers are obtained by melting polyethylene terephthalate. The created hollow thin thread is covered with a layer of silicone, then, using elevated temperature, the fibers are given a spiral shape, and several layers are formed from their array using thermal bonding. The resulting material is able to accommodate and hold a large volume of air.
Physical properties The microfiber structure of the material became the reason for the creation of several properties necessary for high-quality insulation. These characteristics of Thinsulate were in demand for the production of space equipment for American astronauts. After this, the 3M company continued to improve the material, which today has a lot of extremely useful properties for the consumer. Thanks to the three-dimensional thermowelded spatial structure, Thinsulate insulation has many features, the main ones:
Among the disadvantages, in comparison with other types of insulation, it is worth noting:
The ability to create multilayer insulating material from layers of Thinsulate makes it possible to produce a variety of ready-made clothing items - jackets, gloves, hats, thermal underwear, shoes for work and leisure. The maximum low temperature limit at which products with Thinsulate insulation were tested is -60 degrees C. The high heat capacity and low weight of products with this insulation make it possible to create heat-protected workwear based on it for polar explorers, submariners, and climbers.
The main advantage of Thinsulate is its smaller thickness with the same thermal protection compared to other insulation materials. Depending on the scope of application different types material, there is a gradation of increasing material density - C, B, Tib and P. In this case, type C is the lightest type, B, Tib is medium, and P is the densest. Especially for the creation of workwear for employees of oil and gas sector enterprises, the Ministry of Emergency Situations created the FR type with the inclusion of meta-aramid fire-resistant fibers in the insulation structure. The main types of material differ in density, elasticity, and cost:
The excellent properties of the new insulation have become in demand in the production of a number of consumer goods. The most popular demand is for outerwear insulated clothing for the autumn-winter season:
The most universal - type C insulation is used mainly for sewing fashionable urban outerwear, jackets, leather goods, knitwear, gloves, and hats. It consists of 65% polyolefin fiber, 35% polyester fiber. A jacket with Thinsulate turns out to be more beautiful and less heavy than a down jacket made with down, padding polyester or holofiber. The flexibility of this insulation, high elongation and compression resistance of the lining make it possible to create jacket models without frequent quilting. It is available in three versions:
Depending on the modification of each of these insulation options, its density and thickness change:
| Modification | Density, g/sq. m | Thickness, mm |
| C/CS/CDS 100 | ||
| C/CS/CDS 150 | ||
| C/CS/CDS 200 | ||
For the production of workwear, the densest insulation for clothing, Thinsulate, is used - type P. This material is used to make everyday and professional outerwear, gloves, mittens, and boots for people working in the Arctic Circle. This clothing is characterized by high fabric thickness, thermal insulation, and the ability to be used in strong winds and sudden changes in weather. At the same time, the workwear retains its flexibility and does not interfere with the performance of professional duties. Characteristics of the finished material grade P:
Created specifically for employees involved in fire and explosion hazardous work, the FR insulation option is used when sewing outerwear, jackets, trousers, mittens, gloves, and fire-resistant shoes. Various modifications of this insulation have the following characteristics:
One of important elements clothing for residents of the north, workers and military personnel of the Far North is thermal underwear. Using Thinsulate as insulation to create it can shrink the entire product, making it more elastic and pleasant for everyday wear. This linen does not lose its properties after repeated washing, drying or dry cleaning. This type of thermal underwear is used by climbers, skiers, and rescuers. It is in demand by fans of hunting and fishing, in which sedentary methods of extraction are replaced by active actions.
Thinsulate type B is special for the manufacture of heat-protected shoes. For this purpose, the layer of insulating filler is made of high density and small thickness. This provides an opportunity for manufacturers of ski boots and ski gloves to make samples of reduced weight, good design, strength, reliability. The characteristics of various modifications of this type of insulation are presented in the table:
Specific requirements are imposed on the manufacture of diving equipment and suits. They must be elastic, durable, and have minimal hygroscopicity. Thinsulate meets all these requirements and complements divers' clothing with high heat resistance. This becomes especially important when working at great depths or under ice. Many submariners and scuba divers use Thinsulate socks, which are hydrophobic. This means that even if completely wet, they will retain more than 70% of their original heat.
High-quality insulation is needed not only for clothing, but also for a large list of household items. For these purposes, the TIB type is used, which is used in the production of sportswear, blankets, rugs, pillows, and sleeping bags. The absence of allergies to this material, resistance to high humidity, waterproof properties, and good thermal insulation make this material attractive for creating things for children. To create overalls, children's blankets, envelopes, it is possible to use thicker insulation sheets, which have the following parameters:
The durability of any item depends on proper use and proper care of it. Considering the high cost of things with this insulation, it is advisable to choose dry cleaning. When washing products containing artificial filler Thinsulate, you need water with a temperature of no higher than 30-40 degrees. Handwash desirable with the use of liquid detergents, while Thinsulate is not afraid of prolonged soaking.
Machine washable should be done in delicate modes with a temperature setting of no higher than 40 degrees and a spin speed of no more than 600 rpm. Drying of products is carried out at room temperature, on ordinary hangers. You should not hang things on heating devices whose temperature is above 40 degrees C. It is not recommended to steam things with this material to avoid damage.
The table shows prices for products in the Moscow region using Thinsulate as insulation:
| Name | Price, rubles |
|
| Red Fox Thinsulate Mittens | ||
| Gloves DDE winter-COMFORT (Thinsulate), M | ||
| Winter boots Norfin Snow Gray-20C | ||
| Climbing shoe covers BASK LEGGINS THL 64 | ||
| Snowboard suit ROXY 2017-18 IMPRESSION | ||
| Drysuit insulation, LIGHT CDS 40 | ||
| Winter jacket Norfin Air |
Thinsulate or, in other words, artificial down has long won the hearts of those people who are accustomed to purchasing quality items and do not plan to buy a new one outerwear every season.
Fur coats and coats made with bird down are no longer as popular as items that are filled with synthetic materials.
Many natural insulation materials do not have such a long service life as artificial down, and also require extremely delicate care.
A feature of Thinsulate insulation is that it form the finest threads with a diameter of about 5 microns. A so-called air gap appears between them, which allows things to retain the heat of the human body and create a multi-layer effect.
The material is made from polyester fibers, which, when heated, are drawn into the finest synthetic threads. They are twisted into spirals, covered with a layer of silicone, and thin layers of material are formed from them.
There are state standards for the manufacture of workwear using Thinsulate, which indicate to what temperature it is designed and in what climate zones this insulation can be used.
Since this insulation is able to withstand extremely low temperatures, it is in accordance with GOST can be used in climatic zones of protection class 1-4 (from -7°C to -41°C and below). It also meets all the requirements for heat-shielding properties set by the standards, which allows it to be used in extreme conditions without fear for life and health.
Many people do not know that Thinsulate has a lot of varieties, and not every item of clothing contains the same type of material. It is customary to distinguish several main types:
In addition to the above types of material, it is also distinguished by density: it comes with markings C, B, Tib and P, where C is the lightest type of Thinsulate, and P is the densest and frost-resistant.
The most important advantages of the material include:
The main disadvantages of the material are:
Artificial down, due to its characteristics listed above, has found wide application in the production of specialized clothing. There are a number of requirements for it:
The new Thinsulate filler for down jackets looks like in the photo:
Thinsulate-based clothing is manufactured for workers in industries such as oil refining, wood processing, coal and many others. In addition, when hunting, fishing and at ski resorts you cannot do without special clothing.
Thinsulate is used as a filler for the following types of workwear:
Special clothing can be supplemented with insulated shoes, gloves and other accessories.
Thinsulate is also used in the manufacture of such specific things as:
Clothing with artificial down is very actively used by residents of the Far North. It should be noted that The production of children's items with this insulation is also gaining popularity.. Warm envelopes in the stroller, overalls, blankets and blankets will help your child feel as comfortable as possible on a winter walk.
Caring for products insulated with artificial down is quite simple.. You may ask, how to wash Thinsulate correctly and what temperature setting to choose? They withstand frequent washing very well. washing machine or dry cleaning.
However, Thinsulate does not like it too much high temperatures, so it is best to wash it in warm or cool water.
It is best to dry clothes made from artificial down at natural air temperatures, never on a radiator.
Necessary adhere to the following rules when caring for clothes:
Due to the fact that Thinsulate is a fairly plastic material, things based on it can be stored in vacuum packaging to save space. The properties of the clothing will not change in any way.
The table below shows the average prices for items insulated with artificial down.
As can be seen from the table above, Thinsulate-based clothing items have a relatively high price, however, their cost is fully justified by their service life and versatility.
The main merit of 3M™ for the outdoor industry was the gradual destruction of the stereotype “warm = fat” and, as a result, the beginning of active penetration into casual clothes and shoes of functional materials designed for extreme conditions…
At the end of the 1930s. Al Boese, a researcher at the American company 3M™, experimented with a machine for mixing rubber mass for adhesive tapes. In the process, he discovered a method for producing and joining the finest fibers of cellulose acetate. The assessment of the prospects and further implementation of the new technology, apparently, was prevented by the war, so initially it was not given much importance, and it was almost not used until the early 1950s, when Boez's developments were applied in the soundproofing industry. Only in the early 1960s. 3M™ began to experiment and test microfibers connected into a staple as a thermal insulator. The new insulation was supposed to be used primarily in work clothes (the market for goods for tourism and outdoor activities in North America was just emerging at that time). This predetermined the testing conditions - clothing and shoes insulated with the new 3M development were provided in winter to luggage porters at airports, postal employees, and pipeline builders in Alaska. In total, laboratory and field testing took seven years.
Thinsulate™ (from the English thin - “thin” and insulate - “insulation”
The name Thinsulate™ (from the English thin - “thin” and insulate - “insulation”) was assigned to the new insulation in 1978, shortly before its launch on the market. In the same year, the trademark of the same name was registered.
The main property of the new insulation was a high degree of thermal insulation per unit thickness. This was achieved due to the relatively high density of the mixture of polyester and olefin microfibers, which were 10 times thinner than a human hair. This allowed the insulation to retain a large amount of bound air, which is known to be an excellent heat insulator.
Here we must give credit to the 3M™ company, because in the late 1970s. insulated items were exceptionally voluminous - this applied to down jackets and products using the latest Polarguard™ for its time. The thin thickness of Thinsulate™ has enabled many designers from brands such as Calvin Klein, London Fog, etc. to create items that are both warm and elegant, which ultimately has made it the most recognizable of all insulation products used in the outdoor industry today.
“Warmth without bulk” - “Warmth without bulkiness”
All these advantages were quickly appreciated not only by amateurs fashionable clothes. Due to its resistance to compression, low volume, low wetness and relative low cost, Thinsulate™ came into widespread use in the early 1980s. manufacturers of clothing and footwear for outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, etc. Due to its high thermal insulation per unit thickness, Thinsulate™ has become widely used in insulated shoes, where it is critical to provide sufficient internal volume for a comfortable fit, thus indicating the superiority of “synthetics” over natural insulation in winter shoes. Thinsulate is often found in hats and gloves for the same reason.
The only serious drawback of what was new to the industry in the early 1980s. The insulation had a rather large weight per unit volume, which did not allow its effective use in sleeping bags, as well as where it was necessary to obtain maximum warmth and at the same time light clothes, for example, in mountaineering. Probably due to this, in the late 1980s. released Thinsulate™ LiteLoft- 3M complex insulation, consisting of microfibers that retain air and fibers of larger diameter, which increase its volume. This gives high thermal insulation properties per unit weight and a relatively small packaging volume. It is noteworthy that Thinsulate™ LiteLoft appears almost simultaneously with the introduction to the civilian market Primaloft One and is only slightly inferior to it in terms of thermal insulation.
Over the 30 years of its existence, the Thinsulate™ insulation family has grown significantly. Today, two of their classifications coexist in parallel. We see one on the paper labels included with the product. The second divides insulation into types and is used within the 3M™ company itself and is better known among manufacturers of clothing and accessories, as well as those who like to sew on their own. At the same time, in available network resources, both classifications are found equally often, which sometimes causes confusion and misunderstanding. Especially since some types of Thinsulate™ are used exclusively in bedding, others in workwear, and still others in clothing and footwear for sports and outdoor activities. Therefore, in our review we will try to operate with both classifications, based on the most recent 3M™ data.
All varieties of Thinsulate™ are now divided into two series:
Warmth plus Technology ("heat plus technology"), or Platinum, which combines the most advanced technical solutions from 3M in the field of insulation, which includes:
The name comes from the first letter of the word Supreme - English. "higher". The main and most versatile insulation in the family Platinum. Unlike other varieties, it consists of 100% polyester fibers. More precise data on the composition and type of fibers have not been published, however, judging by its application, the insulation withstands compression well and has a good weight/thermal insulation ratio. It is used in a very wide range of products - in ski and snowboard boots, as well as in insulated clothing and accessories for everyday use and outdoor activities. Indicated by the 3M™ Thinsulate™ Platinum label.
He's the same 3M™ Thinsulate™ Flex. Due to the increase in the percentage of olefin fibers, it has good stretching properties with a slight decrease in thermal insulation properties. It is actively used in clothing that provides maximum freedom of movement.
He's the same 3M™ Thinsulate™ X-Static, part of the Platinum family. Appeared in 2009. Consists of a mixture of polyester fibers (98%) and silver ionized fibers X-Static, which prevent the rapid growth of the number of bacteria responsible for the appearance of unpleasant odors. The main area of application is clothing and accessories for high-intensity loads.
Or Platinum FR, appeared in 2009 - consists of a mixture of fire-resistant acrylic, polyester and aramid fibers. Created specifically for work clothing used when working with flammable materials and electricity.
Warmth plus Additional Features ("warmth plus additional features"), which includes all other varieties of Thinsulate™:
The oldest representative of the entire family. Due to the very high thermal insulation per unit thickness and good resistance to compression, it is used in a very wide range of products - accessories, clothing intended for active recreation, fashion and work clothing. First of all, it is used where the finished product needs to be made as thin as possible without losing thermal insulation. Today it is marked with a black and gray label Thinsulate™ thin, light, warm.
Indicated by a black and orange label Thinsulate™ Extra Warmth. Budget insulation consists almost entirely of polyester microfibers, which results in a decrease in durability and an increase in the thickness of the finished products.
Indicated by black and green labels Thinsulate™ with recycled fibers. Appeared in the mid-1990s, against the backdrop of increasing user interest in environmental issues. 50% consists of recycled fibers. According to the manufacturer, it is not inferior to type C in terms of thermal insulation properties.
Indicated by black and orange labels Thinsulate™ Ultra for footwear. Compared to Type C, the number of olefin fibers has been increased, which is why Ultra has a very high resistance to various loads, which makes it almost ideal for use in shoes. In addition to the regular version, there is also Ultra Extreme Performance (Type B), which is the same insulation, but with increased density - from 400 to 1000 grams per square meter. m. Used in shoes designed for extremely low temperatures with a low degree of physical activity (hunting, fishing, working in the Far North, etc.).
To replace padding polyester, long years leader in the insulation market, other synthetic materials are coming. They surpass their ancestor in almost all technical parameters and are quite affordable. One of these modern and popular products is Thinsulate, which is considered one of the best in its segment.
We owe the appearance of Thinsulate to the cunning Americans who came up with a special, high-tech insulation for their space program. The debut of the material took place back in 1973, and mass production was postponed for several more years and the innovation, under the registered trademark "Thinsulate", arrived only in 1979. The manufacturer of this miracle was its inventors - the American company "MMM", which also donated the world's most popular sticky tape
Description, characteristics
Thinsulate is a prominent representative of artificial materials; it is 100% synthetic, made from chemical polymers (polyesters). Although the bulk of artificial fabrics and non-woven fabrics are made from these raw materials today, the unique properties of American insulation are explained by the technological process.
Initially, in order not to bother, Thinsulate was produced on equipment for producing adhesive tape; later, its own line was assembled for it.
The manufacturing company was founded at the beginning of the last century and a lot of new products that are significant for people in a variety of industries belong to it.
The video shows the Thinsulate production line in modern times:
Possessing unique properties, Thinsulate quickly found its niche; it is used as a universal insulation and filler.
Women who are fond of needlework quickly appreciated everything positive sides Thinsulate. Delivering less hassle than padding polyester, thanks to its homogeneous structure and reliable connection of fibers, the material also holds its shape perfectly. Even after time, the created gizmos remain voluminous and do not lose their decorative value.
To understand why this relatively new insulation successfully competes with traditional, time-tested materials, it is enough to make a comparison.
Which of the above materials is considered the best depends on the specific situation. If down has disadvantages characteristic of natural insulation, synthetics are free from this. Both holofiber, and isosoft, and are high-quality, universal materials with a decent set of properties.
Confirmation of the quality of Thinsulate insulation.
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