Technologies of modern insulation. Heaters from polyester fiber. Advantages and disadvantages Types of synthetic insulation
What is the purpose of synthetic insulation in the presence of excellent natural materials? What makes them heat-shielding properties? To properly choose clothes with a suitable insulation, you need to know their main types and features
Synthetic heaters for clothing is an extensive class of modern materials with heat-saving characteristics caused by a special texture.
Initially, these non-woven air filled with air appeared in the 70s of the last century as a cheaper alternative to natural options, but with the development of the polymer industry, they increasingly turn out to be more perfect in operation and technologically in handling.
It was thoroughly forgotten and was not used for a long time in Outdoor, but now it returns to new capacity and in a different technological level. For example, merino wool is used in the manufacture of thermal shells, socks, medium insulation and even the upper beds of clothing (in developments or wool is one of the components of composite materials). Thus, against the background of the overall distribution of synthetic insulation in particular cases, it is possible to observe the inverse processes.
Why nevertheless in the bulk of clothes, natural insulation are displaced with synthetic? Pooh remains, but with all its merits, it is an allergenic material. He is capricious in production and care - for his "hold" in clothing requires the use of special propellant tissues that prevent the migration of the fibers, that is, simply do not give the flock to climb from clothes. When wetping the fluff loses its heat shield properties and dries very long. And with a frequent wash and an active toe, grieves in dust and falls.
Hypoallergenna wool, but can irritate the skin. It is susceptible to wear, shrinkage and is also afraid of water. Wool and fur warming sweating clothes, so this option is practically not used in clothing for such types of outdoor, where low weight and volume play a vital role, such as mountaineering equipment.
Wetting negates the heat-saving functions of almost any insulation. But the air filled synthetics in high humidity works better than the fluff or wool, possessing very low hygroscopicity and performing its functions even in a wet state.
The main differences in natural and synthetic products can be reduced to the table:
| Characteristic | Natural insulation | |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity) | Absorbs moisture | Does not absorb moisture |
| Parp permeability | High | Depends on type and brand |
| Hypoallergenicity | May cause allergies | Does not cause allergies |
| Ability to accumulate static electricity |
Pooh does not electrify.Wool is electrified |
Electrified |
| Resistance to insect | Low | High |
| Bacterial contamination resistance | High | Low (Silver Salt Treatment Requires) |
Types of synthetic insulation
To successfully compete with natural materials, synthetic new items must have:
low thermal conductivity of material fibers;
low weight;
high porosity;
hypoallergenicity;
close to zero hygroscopicity;
good breathability;
resistance to microorganisms;
high elasticity and mechanical strength.
Polyester fibers differ in density, thickness, texture, twisting type, so the selection of modern insulation is so diverse. Air-filled canvases produced different thickness and density for different weather conditions.
To improve wear resistance, the insulation layer can be placed between thin non-woven webs - spunbond or phlizelin.
Any changes as in the design of the insulation layer in order to strengthen it and in the form of twisting fiber, its length, allow manufacturers to patent all new and new stamps, slightly different from each other in their consumer parameters.
Consider the most well-known types of synthetic insulation.
Syntheton
Sintepon still remains the most common material for insulation of clothing. It is based on polyester fibers, fastened with each other in various ways:
adhesive - connects fibers with special glue;
thermal - splas the fibers by the effect of high temperature;
medalopurbation - confuses the fibers with penetrating needles.
However, glue technology gradually goes into the past, because the introduction of chemicals impairs environmental friendliness and adds weight. In addition, the glue is easily exposed to thermal destruction when washing and chemical cleaning, so such products are short-lived.
The needle-blinding syntheps is the most dense and durable among his fellow. A thermoclause is not only the most environmentally friendly, but also allows us to offer consumers the most light and effective insulation.
But this insulation is heavy compared to more modern developments, it comes up after numerous washes, does not hold a form and has low vapor permeability.
The widespread use of synthesis is explained by its versatility and satisfactory consumer qualities, such as low hygroscopicity and simple care. At the same time, he is cheap and its production has long been mastered by industry.
Temperature threshold for using -10 ° C, and to increase its heat protection properties, it is necessary to increase the thickness and weight. Most often, the sewing synthetone has a density of 60 to 300 g / m2 and is used for demi-season clothing.
Hollofiber
The Hollofiber brand belongs to the only manufacturer - the Moscow Plant "Thermopol", and recently she noted its decade. For insulation of clothing, a modification of the Material "Hollofiber Soft" is used.
This is an improved type of synthesis, characterized by environmental friendliness, increased elasticity and low weight. The rapid form restoration and the absence of residual deformations are provided by a special structure of hollow fibers (Hollow + Fiber) in the form of multidirectional microprips, which are freely moving when pressed and dispel the compression energy. Lightweight fibers create additional porosity, increasing air in a unit of material, and thereby reduce thermal conductivity.
This is a zero hygroscopic insulation and reliably protects at temperatures to -25 ° C. Hollofiber thermal conductivity is almost twice as low than synthetion.
For clothing, a nonwoven canvas is used with a density of 60-350 g / m2, in which the twisted fibers are pronounced and connected by a thermoclaim method, and the surface is processed between the Kalander rolls to impart smoothness and strength. Such treatment prevents the migration of the fibers from the insulation layer and makes it necessary to use additional insulating coatings.
The thermal conductivity of the insulation is associated with its density, and when choosing clothes it must be considered first. At the same time, the comparison of the insulation of various density brands will incorrectly, because the thermal conductivity, say, syntheps and holofayber with the same density of different.
Thinsulate.
Tinsulyt is an innovative material similar to the thermal saving to a natural fluff, but at the same time devoid of its flaws. It keeps the form, hypoallergen and absolutely sterile. It is also called artificial swan down. As the birds lubricate their feathers with a special substance to protect them from wetting and this type of fiber with the same goal is covered with silicone. This not only provides one hundred percent protection against moisture, but also a slight slip of fibers during deformation.
Its feature is excellent steadility, so the material protects against supercooling even at a temperature of -30 ° C with active movement. It is perfectly coping with, effectively removing excess heat.
This is the thinnest of modern insulation with similar thermal insulation properties. It does not absorb foreign smells, does not sit down and quickly dries after washing, completely restoring the form.
To strengthen the surface and better consolidation when sewing clothes, some modifications of teinsules are produced with single and double-sided gasket from cellulosic fiber - fliseline. The density of tensulite from 100 to 230 g / m2, and today it is the easiest and most effective synthetic insulation.
Initially, the material was developed by 3M on the order of NASA for astronauts in the 70s. Production of it from the finest, twisted spiral, highly iconized fiber thick up to 10 microns is expensive, therefore this material is used mainly for the production of professional outdoor clothing for lovers of extreme sports and polar shoes.
Fileberk
Fireberk is the Belarusian brand of nonwoven canvas from hollow polyester fibers. Silicone treatment of strongly convulsive short fibers allows them to slide relative to each other, not deforming, without losing and quickly restoring the form. The density 200-400 g / m2 provides the optimal ratio of air capsules and fibers, so the material has excellent heat shield properties.
Often, the cloth is strengthened on both sides by spunbond - a thin nonwoven fleece of polypropylene, which gives additional strength to this peculiar sandwich. Fileberk eco-friendly, breathable material, perfectly protects from a 40-degree frost, however, in this case the thickness of the insulation layer will be greater than that of the tensulete. Technology does not provide for the use of adhesives, so it is absolutely hypoallergen.
Compared to Sybencing Fiberktek easier, shaped, and compared to holofiber is more durable, since it does not use the thermal fibers. After deformation, the insulation restores the form by 100%, and even after three styrics, its shrinkage does not exceed 3%. Used primarily for special clothing, but the price is lower than that of Tinsulyta.
Isosoft
The synthetic insulation under the Belgian trademark of ISOSOFT is produced by Libeltex from ultrathin fibers forming a dense structure. A double-sided spanbond coating, preventing the displacement and deformation of fibers during operation, is additionally applied to the surface. This contributes to a good combination with various coating and lining fabrics.
This plastic, hypoallergenic material reliably warms at temperatures up to -20 ° C, easily erased and dries quickly. The most demanded for the insulation of clothing density is 200-300 g / m2. One layer of isosopht in its heat-saving parameters replaces four layers of traditional synthesis.
Primaloft.
Innovative developments of synthetic insulation under the trademark Primaloft ® from Albany International was originally intended for the American army. The manufacturing technology is the know-how of the manufacturer, but it is known that high consumer characteristics managed to achieve due to the combination of long ultra-thin polyester fibers with a special water-repellent coating and variable cross-section fibers.
The imitation of a natural fluff allows you to create a highly porcine structure, durable and elastic, rapidly restoring volume and dry faster than a natural prototype.
The material Primaloft is as easy, but at the same time it practically does not absorb water. Therefore, military development very quickly found the use of Outdoor in clothing, as well as in the equipment of fishermen, hunters, making their stay in extreme conditions as comfortable as possible.
Clothing with primfat remains dry at any humidity of the surrounding air, it effectively assigns excess heat and moisture from the body with an active movement.
Primaloft ® Sport, Primaloft ® One and Primaloft ® Infinity varieties are used for clothing insulation. They differ in the percentage of fibers of different thickness and, accordingly, specific weight, susceptibility and wear resistance. PRIMALOFT ® One is considered to be the easiest and warm, it is most often used in clothing for outdoor activities, and it is best holding a form and is distinguished by increased wear resistance Primaloft ® Sport. Therefore, as a rule, it is this species that is used in the manufacture of clothes for extreme conditions, shoes and sports equipment.
In 2014, together with The North Face®, PRIMALOFT ® released the new thermoball ® insulation. Its feature lies in the structure of the fibers that imitate the texture of the flocks. Rounded PRIMALOFT ® THERMOBALL ® synthetic fiber balls hold heat no worse than natural fluff, but at the same time much more resistant to moisture and quickly dry.
In addition to synthetic insulation, Primaloft ® has developed and began to produce hybrid insulation of the PRIMALOFT ® GOLD Insulation Down Blend and Primaloft ® Silver Insulation Down Blend. In the "golden" lineup, the ultrathin fiber of the primipte is mixed with natural goose in a ratio of 30/70; And in "Silver" - 40/60. In hybrid insulation beneficial features Natural and synthetic fibers are combined in such a way that the final result allowed to achieve maximum thermal insulation efficiency of the material. In addition, hybrid insulation cheaper downs.
Very often, the primate is compared with Tinsulyt, and the disputes do not subscribe among lovers of high-quality clothing for outdoor activities. Objective tests have not yet been carried out, but one knows exactly - both materials are equally well kept warm and the operational parameters are superior to natural insulation.
Mixed insulation
Despite the obvious shortcomings of obsolete synthetic tube, manufacturers seek to increase its thermal insulation properties and environmental friendliness by adding to the thermoplated web to 70% natural fibers camel and sheep wool. So get a fur coat, the windproof is three times higher than that of a synthetone, with excellent vapor permeability and low moisture content. This material is lighter than pure wool, but at the same time has similar heat shielding properties.
In order to increase the ecology, polyester fibers are sometimes combined with cotton. Such materials include the Italian insulation of Valtherm in the Russian market. It is plastic, breathable and warm material With a special cellular structure used in children's and sportswear.
Care rules
Synthetic insulation care is almost the same for all marks and does not represent difficulties.
Fundamental rules:
- eliminate chlorine-containing detergents;
- the washing temperature is 30-40 ° C;
- dry in the vertical, straightened state in the air.
Unlike natural materials, synthetic analogs will dry quickly, do not sit down and do not come down.
Summary
Synthetic insulation is more convenient and practical than natural, but in terms of the efficiency of the heat resistant, they are still inferior to them.
- Other materials may be applied to the surface of nonwoven beans of insulation to give additional strength.
The basis for the production of synthetic insulation are polyester fibers.
The heat shield properties of the insulation layer are provided with a porous structure, and the more pores per unit area, the more efficient material.
Types of synthetic insulation differ in thickness and density, as well as the apoughlation and additional processing of the surface of the polyester fiber.
Originally designed to equip the US Army, Primaloft insulation today is used by many brands. The company offers several variations of thermal insulation, from the maximum intended for harsh conditions, to a lightweight - for the city. The North Face one of the first drew attention to Primaloft Black technology. This is a waterproof synthetic alternative to a down filler. It is easy enough and suitable for casual wear, jackets and boots. The insulation also often uses the Helly Hansen brand.
PRIMALOFT BLACK
Primaloft manufactures microfiber synthetic insulation since the 1980s. Isolation is designed to imitate all the properties of the fluff, but have a smaller weight, volume and not lose their properties during wetting. Fibers do not hold water, so the owner of such equipment remains in dryness and warmth regardless of the weather. The essence of technology in creating a set of air pockets, which actually delay and maintain heat of the body.
Primaloft has three main types of insulation: GOLD, SILVER and BLACK. And if the first and second more relates to serious equipment for harsh conditions, the latter is applicable in everyday life.
Primaloft Black is most suitable for clothes for every day. It has a CLO 0.65 rating. This is a unit of measuring the thermal insulation properties of the product. For example, in a down filler with an indicator 550 rating will be 0.7. That is, the jacket with Primaloft Black is equivalent to a warm down jacket.
There are three types of black insulation. All of them are distinguished by breathable properties, resistant to moisture and provide heat without excess weight.
Primaloft Black Insulation Eco - Lining made of 60% recycled material. It is obtained as a result of recycling plastic bottles, packages and other raw materials.
PRIMALOFT BLACK DOWN BEND It consists of 50% of synthetic fibers and 50% fluff. Due to this, the loss of heat-insulating properties during wetting is minimized, but the jacket is obtained more voluminous due to the fluff.
Primaloft Black Insulation Hi-Loft With fibers that provide high insulation, similar to the sensations with a down filler, but it is not. Insulation is more compact and soft, with all key properties, such as heat during wetting, are fully stored.
For the New Winter Season, the company announced Primaloft® Black Insulation Thermoplume. It is made using small silky beams of fibers that are combined together. This filler is suitable as an intermediate layer for climbing equipment, as well as for warm urban jackets.
PRIMALOFT Black clothes
The North Face brand, known for its collections of warm and reliable clothes, is quite often resorted to the use of synthetic filler. Their jackets are ease, but at the same time they retain heat in cold and wet weather. When choosing the outerwear should pay attention to the specified characteristics. The North Face Primaloft Black uses indicators mainly in 60, 80 and 100 grams. Of course, more often is encountered a more popular "silver" insulation, as it is equally good for active recreation and city. It is placed in the iconic back to Berkeley shoes and many jackets. However, Primaloft Black is even easier and is used in demi-season clothes during the period when winter is replaced by spring or warm autumn goes into frost.
Over the past few years, the clothing market for active recreation has experienced a real boom on the emergence of new insulation technologies. In the fall of 2013, the first products from Polartec alpha., in winter, 2013-2014 - things from the company appeared in stores The North Face. With insulation Primaloft Thermoball, and companies Columbia. and Arcteryx. Released jackets that combine fluff and synthetic insulation. At the same time, attempts are not terminated to create clothes and accessories with electro-heating and the use of materials that accumulate heat of the human body.
The reason for this lies not only in the manufacturers attempts to increase the functionality of their products. The emergence of new insulation technologies based on microfiber synthetic heaters is associated with a noticeable rise in price of the raw goose fluff over the past five years. According to the American magazine "Outside", the pound of raw white goose fluff in 2009 cost $ 10, in 2014 - about $ 50.
Hence the demand for the latest technologies of insulation that could be equal to compete with down products, from developers and manufacturers of clothing and equipment for outdoor activities. Moreover, this demand in the near future will only grow, which implies the expansion of collections based, primarily on the synthetic heaters in most manufacturers. We will get acquainted with the properties of the newest of them.
Polartec® Alpha.
Unlike other manufacturers of insulation and technological fabrics, Polartec approached the pricing crisis on the downstream raw materials. Newest Material Polartec alpha. It was designed for military special forces in accordance with the requirements of the General Directorate of the Special Forces of the US Department of Defense (U. S. Special Operations Forces - SOF) long before his announcement in the civil market in 2012. The first products with its use appeared in September 2013 from companies Rab, The North Face, Mountain Equipment, Montane and 66 North.
The SOF requirements were to create a lightweight, quick-drying, well breathable material for clothing, which gives high thermal insulation and having an acceptable wind protection. According to the results of field and laboratory tests, the leader has become Polartec alpha..
While creating Alpha.The developers were repelled from the main thing, in their opinion, the lack of existing insulation. For example, the fluff and a significant portion of microfiber synthetic insulation that imitating its structure can penetrate out through the seams and fibers of the fabric. And this circumstance requires the manufacturer to use materials with a very dense weaving fibers, in order to avoid migration of the insulation inside the product and its penetration. So dense tissue, unfortunately, have a lot of weight and do not contribute to the rapid place of sweat and excess heat from the body. All this can lead to overheating during active loads and, as a result, the risk of wetting insulation from sweat.
Therefore, the rate was made to develop a comprehensive solution - a kind of "sandwich" from a durable outer layer, improved insulation based on POLARTEC® POWER SHIELD® HIGH LOFT and the most well-discharge moisture material lining. Like I. POWER SHIELD® HIGH LOFT, insulation Alpha. It is a wear-resistant long-fiber fleece, with the only difference that it is laminated not to the outer surface of the product, but is the filling of the tissue "sandwich". Such developer measures led to the fact that the product will dry up much faster, about twice as fast as the closest competitors, and has a low weight.
Supplement to this was a very flexible approach. Polartec. in relation to manufacturers - facial tissue they will be able to choose independently, from ultra-light materials, such as Pertex., before Softshell.. All this has determined the main scaffolding of the material Polartec alpha. - Jackets used as an intermediate or top layer of clothing. Compromise in this decision was the ratio of heat / weight. According to the most testers and outdoor publications in this Alpha. still inferior to the fluff and the latest development from Primaloft - Thermoball.
Polartec Alpha - Marmot Isotherm Hoody Jacket, Jacket and Rab Strata Jacket.
Primaloft® Thermoball ™
The newest synthetic insulation from Primaloft.which very accurately copies the strip structure. Externally novelty resembles a stranded cotton ballthat served as the title - Thermoball. Up to this development, all synthetic insulation was a mixture of hollow fibers like the fluff outwardly and only partly repeated its properties. In release new technology The North Face company said that the new insulation will be generally repeated by properties Primaloft One.But it will be 15% warmer per unit weight, corresponding to a fluff with an indicator of Fill Power 600. This means an equivalent pointer. The ability to restore its volume after compression and hold the equivalent amount of air between the fibers, which serves as thermal insulator. The North Face. currently belongs to exclusive use Thermoball In their products up to 2015, since the company provided an active assistance in its development.
As in the case of Primaloft One.The developers made a special emphasis on the preservation of heat insulating properties Thermoball When wetting, which was confirmed by numerous tests in the field. Particularly distinguished tester Sean McCoy - Gearjunkie.com resource editor, thoroughly wet her jacket THERMOBALL FULL ZIP JACKET And going to her for a walk at an air temperature just below zero. New Material Passed the test with glitter, surprising even such a sophisticated user. The editors of the OUTSIDE magazine came to high grade, calling Thermoball "The most heat insulating synthetic insulation of everyone is ever tested."
Examples of products using Primaloft Thermoball - Jackets and vests THE NORTH FACE THERMOBALL FULL ZIP, Bivar and city TNF shoes, in which the Pooh 600 F.P. was previously used.
PRIMALOFT® DOWN BEND.
Despite explicit successes in the field of improving synthetic insulation, the use of fluff do not want to refuse even Primaloft Inc.. However, all experts are well aware of its main disadvantages - low thermal insulation during wetting and slow drying, to which mentioned above disadvantage - high price for the manufacturer, and, as a result, for the end user. Creature PRIMALOFT DOWN BEND. It was designed to overcome these shortcomings.
The essence of the technology is reduced to mixing a natural fluff and artificial fibers. Primaloft Ultra-FineClose to it by property to restore its volume after compression and hold the maximum amount of air between the fibers. The addition to this fluff is treated with water repellent composition. These measures have allowed to reduce the hybrid insulation without loss of quality, ensure the acceptable thermal insulation properties of the wet mixture, as well as increase the speed of its drying in comparison with the usual Pooh 4 times!
PRIMALOFT ® Performance Down is presented in two versions:
– PRIMALOFT GOLD INSULATIONS DOWN BEND - Goose Pooh 70% (Poh Pen 90/10) - Synthetic fibers 30%. 1.23 CLO in a dry state against 1,18 CLO in a wet state.
– PRIMALOFT SILVER INSULATIONS DOWN BEND - Utin fluff 60% (Poh Pen 85/15) - Synthetic fibers 40%. 1.14 CLO in a dry state against 1.07 CLO in a wet state.
Thus, the new combined insulation corresponds to its heat-insulating properties to a high-quality fluff with an indicator FP 750 and FP 600, respectively. At the same time, thanks to the inclusion of synthetics and moisture-repellent impregnation of the fluff, it continues to work even in a wet state with almost lossless.
Examples of products using PRIMALOFT DOWN BEND. - Jacket Black Diamond Hot Forge (will go on sale in the spring of 2015), jacket Adidas Outdoor Terrex Climaheat Ice Jacket.
"Infrared" insulation
Primaloft Kodenshi.
Perhaps the most exotic way of insulation of clothing from all presented. Attempts to choose or create from scratch correct materialwhich could accumulate the warmth of the human body, and then slowly return it back like a stone heated in the sun, were taken by manufacturers repeatedly. So far, no one company has reached unequivocal success, although the development is conducted as the giants of the industry - The North Face.and not as well-known brands, such as American clothing manufacturer and accessories for mountain skis Powderhorn..
The closest to the implementation of this idea was approached by experts from Picture Organic, French manufacturer of eco-friendly clothes for skiers and snowboarders, with technology Bioceramic. - Ceramic particles contained in the membrane material accumulate heat and slowly emit it to the user of the equipment. However, this development itself is positioned not as an element of insulation, but as a technology that improves muscle tone.
Lamination of the membrane with ceramic particles actively uses a young manufacturer of premium class ski clothing Mountain Force. Their exclusive development Ceramic Membrane. It has high thermal insulation properties, which makes it possible to provide additional comfort on the frosty slope without the need to use the additional layer of the insulation, which increases not only the weight of the product, but also its volume.
Ceramics are used by the way for several years and in Primaloft.. Their insulation Primaloft Ceramic. and Primaloft Kodenshi. Made with the addition of ceramic microfiber, helping to reflect heat back to the body. Such a heater is significantly more efficient. His main consumer is the company GoldWin.. However, now you can meet the products of other brands using Primaloft Kodenshi. Among them Black Diamond. and Reusch.Using the insulation in ski gloves and mittens.
Elasticity. In relation to insulation, this ability to restore the initial structure, in fact volume. The structure of synthetic fibers is most often restored faster than the fluff. In part, therefore, in the down jackets, there are not rarely inserts with a synthetic insulation in the shoulder area and on the sides of the jacket, where the greatest pressure turns out.
But, despite technical progress, best insulation Stay still remains. Most often in the manufacture of down jackets, a goose fluff is used - it is more durable than duck, and also cheaper than the Pooh Gagachi. The High Pooh Pooh Pooh has high Fill Power and is optimal in price-quality ratio.
Review prepared store specialists
Primaloft is a synthetic material that has high thermal insulation properties. With its creation, Albany Interional was very scrupulously studied the structure of the goose fluff and put it the basis of Primaloft material. The fibers of this insulation are very thin and similar to the goose fluff more than the fibers of any other synthetic material. It is this similarity that gives him thermal properties Pooh. The coefficient of thermal resistance for the goose fluff is 2.18, and for Primaloft - 2.15. This is a very high indicator, because Other synthetic fibers are not even approaching this value. 
The PRIMALOFT filler has a long-fiber structure, thanks to which it is better and faster restores its volume than similar materials. Even after a huge number of styrices and drying, the material is not deformed. Fibers are endowed with water-repellent properties that help any liquid to drain or evaporate. It provides constant dryness of products from the insulation of Primaloft. 
Laboratory studies have shown that Primaloft has exactly the same softness as the goose down, and it is much softer similar thermal insulation materials. Thanks to this characterization of the material, all products made from it take the necessary form: clothes sit down according to the figure, and the blanket exclusively fits the body of the sleeping person.
Another great advantage of this material is that it breathes and allows you to evaporate moisture. Its air layers are very small for moisture penetration, but great in order to enable moisture formed inside, evaporate. To preserve the heat of man quite a small amount of Primaloft.
It can be very compressed, and this will not affect the quality and structure of the material. In a short period of time, the material is completely returns to its original volume. According to the above parameters, Primaloft exceeds all its synthetic and natural analogs. Of all the world-famous insulation, only Primaloft has the ability to keep moisture due to silicone processing of fibers. Such a heater compared with such materials, absorbs 3 times less moisture, by 14% it is warmer in a dry state and 24% in the wet.
There are several types of primaloft insulation
Primaloft Sport - Insulation, created by combining ultrathin fibers and fibers with variable diameter, which allows to make thermal insulation even more efficient. Ultra-thin fibers guarantee the waterproof material, and the fibers with a variable diameter ensure the formation of its volume.
Primaloft One. - This is the material that is created from the microfiber, as close as possible to the goose fluff over all parameters and characteristics. This is a filler in which each individual fiber has moisture-proof processing. It is one of the best thermal insulation materials. The main properties of this type of insulation is to preserve 14% more heat in a dry state and 24% in the wet. 
Primaloft Eco. - Insulation, created for environmental materials. It consists of 50% of recycled ultra-thin fibers and standard PRIMALOFT fibers. In combination, the fibers create an effective thermal insulation and moisture-resistant structure. Clothes made using Primaloft ECO will provide its owners dry, heat and comfort.
Primaloft Infinity - this is heat-insulating blockswhich can be compressed by 20% more than similar insulation materials. This species Insulation has a sufficiently light and soft structure due to the use of ultrathin fibers. PRIMALOFT INFINITY has high thermal insulation and moisture resistance. The fibers, combined with each other, prevent the appearance of cold spots in the insulating material and ensure the uniformity of the insulation structure throughout its surface. Primaloft Infinity provides excellent protection from the cold even with full wetting. This material retains its form and quality even after numerous styrics and dryers. 
Primaloft yarn. - These are the threads, which are a mixture of Primaloft fibers and sheep wool. Such a combination is most acceptable for the manufacture of outerwear. PRIMALOFT YARN fibers twice the Cashmere fibers, which allows you to give soft products. This material It has the property of rapid absorption of moisture from the surface of the skin and withdrawing it to the surface of the fabric, and this provides additional dryness and comfort.
PRIMALOFT SYNERGY. - This is an advanced thermal insulation material that is created on the basis of weave thin and ultra-thin fibers and combining them into a single thread. The insulation has excellent thermal insulation characteristics. Primaloft Synergy is a moisture-proof material that is used in the manufacture of sleeping bags and outerwear.
Update 01/21/2013
Primaloft continues to introduce innovation by announcing the release of two new technologies, is Primaloft 4Flex and Grip Technology technologies.
Primaloft 4Flex is an innovative technology for creating a heater, which is able to stretch into all four sides and is immediately easily recovered without the loss of insulation and water-repellent properties. This insulation is ideal for use in the upper clothes and gloves - things where maximum stretchability for free movement is important. Including in clothing for winter sports. 
Primaloft Grip Technology provides maximum adhesion for gloves and shoes. It is designed to prevent gloves and shoes where necessary for confident and stable retention. This technology is particularly relevant for climbers, ski riders, motorcyclists or golfers and everyone who needs warm, comfortable, waterproof clothing or shoes with an additional opportunity to hold the necessary handle or tool.
Update 12/26/2013
Primaloft in 2014 will launch a new series of hybrid insulation entitled Primaloft Performance Down Blend. Performance Down Blend is a mixture of a synthetic insulation with a natural ollow and the addition of water-repellent impregnation. 
The Performance Down Blend insulation in its heat-insulating characteristics will be similar to a natural fluff with a density of 750 FP, while the hybrid insulation will dry up 4 times faster and continue to maintain its properties after 10 washes. The developers managed to effectively weigh natural fluff with hydrophobic impregnation and high-quality synthetic fibers Primaloft Ultra-Fine. 
The series of Performance Down Blend will include three types of insulation, which will be distinguished by cost and characteristics: GOLD (70% natural fluff, 30% synthetic), Silver (60% fluff, 40% synthetic) and Black (50% -50% fluff and synthetics ).
Update 03/10/2015
Primaloft Aerogel - The insulation is based on a soft, flexible, vapor-permeable, hydrophobic and wear-resistant Cryogel gel with a thickness of about 5 mm, which can effectively work in temperature mode from -260 to + 90c degrees. The synthetic thermal insulating insulation effectively blocks high and low temperatures. 
Update 07.12.2016
Primaloft announced the launch of a completely new insulation called Primaloft Black Insulation THERMOPLUME. The first products with a new synthetic filler will appear closer to the autumn-winter season 2017-2018. The new insulation more accurately inherits the structure of natural goose fluff fibers. The developers managed to achieve almost the same indicators of weight in the ratio with the density, volume and general heat insulating properties, which are similar to the natural insulation of the 550th packing density. At the same time, the insulation is completely hydrophoben, does not lose its own when contacting water and does not require any additional impregnations. 
According to its structure, Thermoplume repeats so much natural raw materials, which requires the manufacturer of clothing almost the same production cycles as when creating traditional down jackets, including while blowing the heat-insulating filler by sections. Thus, soon to distinguish the jacket with the thermoplume from the down jacket with a goose down 550FP can only be on the tag.
Update 07/10/2018
Announced new brands of insulation, including a series Primaloft PCR. (Post-Consumer RecyCled), namely Primaloft Silver Insulation - 100% PCR and relatively budget insulation Primaloft Black Insulation is 100% PCR. New insulation are allocated by the fact that they are made entirely from the secondary recycled raw materials, which are based on plastic bottles. Heaters will have a lower cost and have all the necessary characteristics of modern synthetic insulation, and will become part of the PRIMALOFT SILVER and PRIMALOFT Black Series. 
Update 10/23/2018
Presented a new line of heat insulating insulation Primaloft Bio.. The new insulation was created exclusively using secondaryly recycled synthetic fibers, while the new technological process allowed us to create a completely biodegradational insulation. According to the tests according to the ASTM D5511 standard, the new synthetic insulation is capable of biodegrad (under the influence of certain microorganisms) by almost 80.3% in 394 days.
We live in a happy time with you when modern technologies are developing with seven-world steps and the fact that it used only to be elected, becomes affordable and firmly included in the use of ordinary people. Of course, it also applies to modern materials that use in sportswear. Now you can choose our clothes for any type of activity that will meet all the requirements necessary for classes, and accordingly provide maximum comfort and safety.
During activity in cold weather conditions, it is very important to warm correctly - as the body not only must warm, but also not overheat and breathe during classes - whether it's just walking on fresh air or cross-country skiing race. In this article, we will talk about contemporary insulation - what manufacturers offer, for which they are oriented and what is better to choose. Now there is a huge number of insulation on the market, to figure out which is often not so simple.
All insulation can be divided into two classes - natural (pooh, wool) I. artificial (primaloft, Thinsulate etc).
Natural insulation
Pooh It was always considered the best insulation, and manufacturers of artificial insulation precisely the Pooh consider the reference material, a reference point in the production of artificial fillers.
The main characteristics of the fluff:
- A light weight
- High heat retention
- Good breathing
- Elasticity (recovery to the initial volume)
- up to 400 - Pooh poor quality
- 400 - 450 - Middle Quality Pooh
- 500-750 - Puch of excellent quality
- 750 and above - Extra Class Pooh
Many manufacturers, taking care of the quality of products and ecology, adhere to the standard Rds., which suggests that the Pooh is assembled with healthy animals grown in comfortable conditions, with such animals did not cause significant harm. With all positive characteristics, a down filler has its own minuses. So, for example, it is quite difficult for the down products to care and store. As a rule, they are expensive, as well as an allergic reaction is possible.
Artificial insulation
A good alternative to the Puhu are artificial insulation. Since initially a heater appeared on the market Synthetonwhich was not particularly high-quality insulation, the view was formed that all the unprofitable insulation do not work well. But at the moment the technology went far ahead and manufacturers can offer a magnificent alternative to Puhu, allowing to satisfy the most demanding consumer. Now a large number of manufacturers have appeared on the market, which specialize only in the production of such materials. But both sportswear manufacturers often use their own developments. At the moment, the leaders of the artificial insulation market in sportswear were determined - this Primaloft. from company Albany International and Thinsulate. from company 3M.
- the high ratio of heat-stash properties to the mass (the thick layer of clothing is not needed for good thermal insulation). That is, the material is easy and warm
- good breathing (missing evaporation outward)
- waterproof
- soft
Now there are three series of insulation - GOLD; Silver; Black.In each of which are 5 to 10 types of insulation.
