Trade tensions between the E.U. and the U.S. have continued to escalate after a preliminary list of $11 billion in tariffs was announced in April 2019. In response to European subsidies to Airbus and a subsequent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling, U.S. textile importers have faced a duty of up to 100% on certain materials.

In our previous article, What is Innegra™?, we looked at the basic properties of this relatively new fiber and some common uses for it. Now we’d like to share some tips for deciding whether it’s right for your purpose.

Are you familiar with Innegra™? It’s a new fiber on the market not yet well known among buyers and manufacturers of fiber products. But it has a wide variety of uses, from innovative aerospace materials to extreme sports equipment.

The Berry Amendment was passed in 1941 to promote the use of U.S.-sourced materials in military uses. It primarily covers tools, food, and textiles for use at home and abroad in military operations. The amendment outlines specific rules that govern how these goods are produced.

If you’ve come across the term Cotton Count and were a bit confused, you’re not alone. The terminology of the yarn and thread industry can be tricky.

Typically Mil Spec sewing thread standards are long and divided into several sections. They define physical characteristics of thread and are a good reference point for manufacturers however, they can be confusing and its important to understand the basics.  Here is a quick guide to the 8 page standard, A-A-55195 (formerly MIL-T-44100) spun para-aramid sewing threads. 

When you are searching for a fiber or yarn for specific application requirements, there are many options to choose from. Meta-aramid and para-aramid yarns and threads are two popular choices for heat resistance and superior tensile strength.

Aramid fiber is best known by the trademark name DuPont™ Kevlar® and offers many unique and beneficial properties.  With aramid raw material costs between five and thirty times the cost of nylon or polyester, many manufacturers look for ways to save when aramids are required for their application. What seems on the surface like an easy question is a lot more complicated than you might think.  So, what are some of the factors that contribute to the total cost of industrial aramid yarn or thread?

Vectran™ is a manufactured fiber used to make specialty fabric and typically only those with a specific product application know much about it. This multifilament yarn is spun from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and is the only commercially available melt-spun LCP fiber in the world. Vectran™ fiber presents exceptional strength and rigidity because the material is five times stronger than steel and ten times stronger than aluminum. There are no real alternatives when it comes to working with Vectran™ as the qualities it brings to the table are distinctive and highly beneficial.