What is microfiber?

Microfiber commonly refers to any fiber with strand less than 1 denier. Textile synthetic microfibers such as polyester microfibers have a diameter of about 10 microns or less. While most microfibers are of synthetic origin, asbestos can be considered as natural mineral microfibers since the fibers width is less than 1 micron.

Synthetic microfibers have been developed in Japan in the early 1970’s by Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto. Despite their great potential it took some years before they find various applications. It was later improved by Dr. Toyohiko Hikota who designed the first non-woven fabric, named “Ultrasuede”, which production was started in 1989 by the US Company Dupont de Nemours. Microfiber use in textile industry consecutively expanded.

Though different polymers can be used to produce microfibers, polyester and nylon are the most employed and are often mixed together to obtain specific properties. Composite fibers can also be split to produce thinner strands that can be less than 0,2 denier.

A microfiber’s diameter often measures half of a silk fiber and allows producing very lightweight fabrics with excellent draping qualities, wearing comfort and luxurious appearance. When woven appropriately microfiber fabrics have even more properties: good isolation, impermeability, breathing ability, wrinkle-resistance, stain-resistance, easy wash-ability and more.... continue reading What is Microfiber