Thinsulate

Thinsulate fibers are about {{convert|15|µm}} in diameter,Phil Gibson and Calvin Lee; Application Of Nanofiber Technology To Nonwoven Thermal Insulation, 01 NOV 2006, U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5020. which is thinner than the polyester fibers normally used in insulation for clothing such as gloves or winter jackets. Advertising material suggests that Thinsulate is more effective due to the increased density of fibers with decreased size of fibers compared with more traditional insulation.{{cite web|url=http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ThinsulateInsulation/Insulation/Science/Physics-of-Insulating/ |title= What Is Thinsulate insulation? |publisher=3M |date= |accessdate=2010-11-26}} Like most insulation materials, the gaps between fibers not only reduce heat flow, but also allow moisture to escape. The insulation properties are beneficial for retaining some of the heat produced by the body for comfortable warmth while the moisture produced, most likely sweat, is supposed to evaporate.{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Luke |title=3M Thinsulate Explained – Uses, Pros and Cons |url=https://workwear.org/3m-thinsulate-explained/ |website=Workwear.org |accessdate=21 November 2022 |language=en}} It retains its insulating properties when wet.{{cite web |last1=Cornell |first1=Susan |title=Uniform Fabric: Care and Cleaning |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-348097411 |website=hignbeam.com |publisher=Law & Order |accessdate=13 September 2018 |date=1 May 2003 |quote=If Thinsulate Insulation gets wet, it will still keep you warm. That's because Thinsulate Insulation retains its insulating ability in damp conditions. It absorbs less than one percent by weight of water, so it stays effective at keeping you warm-and it dries easily if it does become wet.}}

The thermal resistance R-value provided by Thinsulate products varies by the specific thickness and construction of the fabric.{{cite book |last1=Griffin |first1=Steven A. |title=The Camping Sourcebook: Your One-stop Resource for Everything You Need for Great Camping |date=1997 |publisher=Globe Pequot Press |isbn=9780762700424 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OCa7FMxRa-kC&q=thinsulate |accessdate=14 September 2018 |language=en}} Values (US units) range from 1.6 for 80-gram fabric to 2.9 for 200-gram fabric.{{cite web| url= http://www.indapac.com/docs/3M_Thin_TypeG.pdf | publisher= 3M | title= Thinsulate Insulation | website= indapac.com | accessdate= 15 December 2014}} Thinsulate is considered "the warmest thin apparel insulation" available. In fact, when equal thicknesses are compared, it provides about 1½ times the warmth of down and about twice the warmth of other high-loft insulation materials.{{cite web | title= Insulation properties of Thinsulate from 3M | website= rockywoods.com | publisher= Rockywoods Fabrics, LLC | url= http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabric-Information-Help/App-Notes/Insulation-Properties-of-Thinsulate-from-3M | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150219070454/http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabric-Information-Help/App-Notes/Insulation-Properties-of-Thinsulate-from-3M | archivedate= 2015-02-19 }}

Material safety data sheets from the manufacturer show that different varieties of Thinsulate are made from different mixtures of polymers, but most are primarily polyethylene terephthalate or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. Other materials in some include polyethylene terephthalate-polyethylene isophthalate copolymer and acrylic.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Thinsulate is now used in the fabric roof of the convertible automobile, the Porsche Boxster. The extra layer not only reduces heat loss but has also reduced noise levels inside the car by 3 decibels.{{cite news| url= http://thechronicleherald.ca/wheelsnews/109158-lisa-spends-90-minutes-with-engrossing-porsche-boxter-s | title= Lisa spends 90 minutes with "engrossing" Porsche Boxter S | first= Lisa |last= Calvi | newspaper= The Chronicle Herald | date= 20 June 2012 |accessdate= 15 December 2014}} It is also used in the roof of the Jaguar F-Type sports car.{{cite news |last1=Woodcock |first1=Roy |title=A sensational drive with the Jaguar F-Type |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/motoring/sensational-drive-jaguar-f-type-1933481 |newspaper=Hull Daily Mail |accessdate=13 September 2018 |date=24 August 2018}} It features in the upholstery of Saturn sedans, Ford F-150 pickups, Buick Park Avenues, and F-16 fighters.

It is used in a wide variety of clothing products, such as footwear, gloves, hats, and coats.{{cite web |last1=Karlen |first1=Neal |title=Beyond Wool And Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/25/garden/beyond-wool-and-down.html |website=The New York Times |accessdate=14 September 2018 |language=en}}{{cite journal |title=Apparel International: The Journal of the Clothing and Footwear Institute |journal=Apparel International |date=1990 |volume=19-20 |pages=8, 12, 28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ut_xAAAAMAAJ&q=thinsulate |accessdate=14 September 2018 |publisher=The Institute |language=en}} It became popular in outerwear jackets as early as 1985.Lebow, Joan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022824/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-4138923.html "Wool spurs rebound in coat action."] WWD. Conde Nast Publications, Inc. 1986. HighBeam Research. 13 Sep. 2018 . (According to a spokesman for 3M Co., which produces Thinsulate, more than 30 fashion coat companies are using Thinsulate linings in their garments this year, 22 more than last year. Among the manufacturers testing the Thinsulate are several designer-price lines including Anne Klein Coats, George Simonton, Ilie Wacs and Nipon Coature. ... At Anne Klein Coats, Marty Blank, president, said the firm will use Thinsulate in 20 to 40 percent of its line, and particularly with lighter-weight fabrics.) The fibers are thinner in diameter than polyester fibres, so the material is used as a waterproof synthetic alternative to down.{{cite web |last1=Becker |first1=Kraig |title=All of the high-tech materials that make modern outdoor gear great |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/outdoor-gear-materials/ |website=Digital Trends |publisher=Design Technica/Digital Trends |accessdate=13 September 2018 |date=26 August 2018 |quote=In 1979, 3M introduced a new synthetic insulation material called Thinsulate, which derived its name from the ability to provide warmth while remaining relatively thin. Thinsulate fibers are just 15 micrometers in diameter, which is substantially smaller than polyester, the material that is traditionally used as an insulating agent in outdoor clothing. Over the years, Thinsulate has found its way into boots and jackets, but is especially popular in glove and hats. The synthetic fibers are regarded as a high-performance alternative to down, in part because they are water resistant while remaining breathable too. Later iterations of Thinsulate included a flame-resistant version, a more waterproof alternative, and one that more closely mimics the properties of down.}}

In 2015 Thinsulate was named a recipient of an ISPO Award as a Top 10 Insulation.{{cite web |title=3M featherless 'down' honored – Advanced Textiles Source |url=https://advancedtextilessource.com/2014/12/22/3m-featherless-down-honored/ |website=advancedtextilessource.com |accessdate=14 September 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Borneman |first1=Jim |title=Quality Fabric Of The Month: Warmth & Loft Without Feathers {{!}} Textile World |url=http://www.textileworld.com/textile-world/quality-fabric-of-the-month/2015/05/warmth-loft-without-feathers/ |website=www.textileworld.com |accessdate=14 September 2018}}

{{Reflist}}

• PrimaLoft

• {{Official website|http://www.thinsulate.com/}}

{{3M}}

Category:Synthetic fibers

Category:3M brands

Category:Products introduced in 1979

Category:Insulators