The Type of Sheet Mask(non-woven)-Microfiber

* Microfiber cross section *

What is ?

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Microfiber is a synthetic man-made fiber that is finer than 1.3 denier or decitex/thread.
 In more simple terms, microfiber is 1/100th the diameter of a human hair and 1/20th the diameter of a strand of silk! It is said by Ira Sutton, 
The National Marketing Director for Edge Tech Industries, 
that the fibers are so tiny that “if you took a 16x16 microfiber towel and laid the fibers from end to end, 
it would reach from Miami Beach to Anchorage."
That’s 4,750 miles! Microfiber is used to make several products amongst different industries including but not limited to: 
cleaning products, mats, knits, weaves, apparel, upholstery, and industrial filters. 
Emerging technology has created the possibility to use combinations of different synthetic fibers to be able to tailor the products for specific characteristics including softness, toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities.

How made ?

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The history of microfiber began way back in the later 1950’s. 
It was at this time that technology had allowed for the process of extruding polyamide. 
This allowed for the microfiber to take on its form with a fixed cross-sectional profile. 
The process however was not truly accredited until the late 1960’s; 
where they were able begin perfecting the process to have a practical use for it.

It is documented that two Japanese scientists (Miyoshi Okamoto and Toyohiko Hikota) had undertaken promising experiments that could create production of continuous ultra-thin fibers. 
Following this amazing new discovery several individuals found applications among various industries.
 Prompting the release of the “Ultra-Suede Fabric” in the early 1970’s, the first successful microfiber to hit the market.

The evolution of microfibers sky rocketed from this point and experimentation led several different scientists to create many different alternatives to the Ultra-Suede.
 Microfiber was then first introduced into the European Market through Sweden in the very early 1990’s.
 The super absorbent materials began to take Europe by storm, and within ten years microfiber were a commonly known product throughout Europe and The United States.

Microfiber is now one of the largest parts of the multi-billion dollar textile industry.

Why good? or bad?

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1. The absorption rate is high.

Microfiber has the advantage that it absorbs more than cotton. If you immerse 100 strands of 100 mm diameter and 100 strands of 1 mm diameter in water, then 100 strands absorb more water. The absorption rate is 2 to 5 times higher than cotton, so the essence can be absorbed into the skin faster and more. In addition, microfiber is superior to cotton in function, and microfiber products are good for atopy, asthma, and rhinitis patients. Microfiber textiles are very tightly woven, so even ticks can not penetrate.

• Ultra Fine- Finer than the most delicate silks.
• Luxurious- Very soft like silk or suede.
• Washable- May be dry cleaned or washed up to 500 times.
• High strength- Shrink resistant if properly cared for.
• Comfortable- Offers insulation and breathability.
• High Water Absorption- Able to absorb up to 25 times its weight.
• Strong Decontamination Ability.
• No Fading in Color- Looks like new after several washes.
• Several Colors Available- Helps prevent cross-contamination.
• No Shedding- Product will stay intact for extended periods of time.
• Easy to Clean- Can be dry cleaned or cleaned in a standard washing machine.
• Cleanliness- Leaves no dust particles, fibers, or debris behind.
• Environmentally Friendly- When using microfiber, the use of chemical cleaners is minimized

2. Environmental and safety issues

There are environmental concerns about this product entering the oceanic food chain similar to other microplastics. A study by the clothing brand Patagonia and University of California, Santa Barbara, found that when synthetic jackets made of microfibers are washed, on average 1.7 grams (0.060 oz) of microfibers are released from the washing machine. These microfibers then travel to local wastewater treatment plants, where up to 40% of them enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans where they contribute to the overall plastic pollution.[20][21] Microfibers account for 85% of man-made debris found on shorelines worldwide.