Industrial Felt vs Natural Wool Felt - Ramsay Rubber

Believed to be one of the oldest materials ever made with archaeological evidence dating back to BC, felt has stood the test of time in being a versatile and reliable material still used widely today. 

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With two distinct types of felt having their own characteristics and advantages, natural wool and industrial felt differ across composition, properties, and applications. So, which felt best meets your requirements?  Find the ideal felt type for your needs in this blog, with detailed qualities, features and industry insights.  

Industrial felt is defined by a mechanical property performance based on hardness, thickness, and blend of materials, making it well suited to handle heavy-duty industrial purposes and applications.

As a generalised term, industrial felt fabric is also known as “pressed felt”, “technical felt”, and “fulled felt” and is manufactured through a process of blending, pressing, fulling, and drying. This creation process helps produce a non-woven fabric used across an extensive range of industrial applications.

Therefore, rather than its material composition, which can be varied, industrial felt is defined by its function as a dynamic material engineered to perform in industrial applications and environments. Industrial felt can be customised across the material composition, density, and thickness to satisfy the specific requirements of your needs. The following defining properties are what make it such a valuable material solution used across multiple industries:

Firstly, due to its prevailing durability properties, industrial felt can withstand heavy industrial settings with exposure to the elements. As a result, the material provides an ideal solution for industrial padding and cushioning.

The versatility of industrial felt is probably best seen by its dynamic role in the automotive industry. From vehicle interior noise reduction to engine gaskets and seat padding, industrial felt provides numerous properties for various automotive parts, equipment, and general applications. Industrial felt is also highly resistant to moisture, chemicals, and temperature. This resistance feature makes it an ideal solution for machinery lubrication. Machinery lubrication ensures moving parts remain lubricated to avoid friction, wear, and eventual damage. As a wicking material, industrial felt can help distribute lubricants, oils, and other fluids evenly and consistently across your machine.

Other common products for industrial felt are gasket and seal manufacturing. Due to its density, industrial felt provides a reliable sealant by preventing liquid and gas leaks across various industrial applications, such as pipes, engines, and other industrial equipment. Industrial felt gets employed as noise insulation and dampening solution for loud industrial equipment and machinery too. And the applications don’t stop there!

Industrial felt is used as a polishing and buffing solution in metalworking and woodworking. Thanks to its soft yet durable characteristics, industrial felt works well as an abrasive surface to accommodate the polishing process.

Finally, you have its filtration capabilities with oils because felt can work as a filtration medium to remove contaminants and impurities. This feature can help ensure fuel and oil quality standards stay high while your equipment is protected. In having so many properties and uses, industrial felt is available across a dynamic range of products for industrial purposes:

Wool felt is made from natural wool fibres and is distinguished for its soft texture and natural insulation properties. Different variations of wool felt are available based on its woven or non-woven composition characteristics. Wool felt is a non-woven textile which involves no thread or weaving. Like industrial felt, it gets created through heat, moisture and agitation. 

On the other hand, felted wool is a woven textile where thread and weaving are prevalent in production. Felted wool creates a thicker and puffier texture that’s soft and fluffy. However, the texture quality you receive when felting wool depends on the fabric weave. 

With a long and prosperous history, the wool felt market remains prominent worldwide, forecast to reach a global value of $.86 million by (5.03% CAGR). 

The versatility of wool felt is like industrial felt in that it supports an extensive array of applications and products. However, its softness and insulation properties make it particularly ideal for clothing and comfort products. For example, boot liners, coats, jackets, scarves, and gloves are all ideal clothing items that feature wool felt due to the overall comfort and warmth.

Natural wool felt is also used in accessories for its comfort and aesthetics. Due to its soft textures and ability to sustain shape, wool felt gets used on handbags, purses and wallets, while lining materials like bags and cases is an effective way of cushioning fragile items like musical instruments. 

Wool felt is useful for interior décors like carpets, rugs, and blankets, utilising its softness, insulation, and durability with homely comforts and dampening properties. Then we have further sectors, such as art and design, crafts, toy making, and sound insulation, benefitting from natural wool felt properties.

As a leading UK manufacturer, Ramsay Rubber continues to supply various high-performance felt and fabric solutions for industrial purposes. We provide our clients with the option of customising their ideal industrial felt samples to support their product development and ensure they receive the perfect solution for their needs. 

All our industrial felt products comply with the appropriate regulations and aim to sustain the highest quality performance, regardless of the application or environment. Our product development and technical support project management team are all approved across Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).   

And if you have a few industrial felt options in mind, we can send a sample pack to ensure you receive the ideal solution. So, for more information on how industrial felt solutions can support your industrial application needs, get in touch today and receive your industrial felt sample pack. 

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Understanding the Basics of Felt

Felt is a non-woven fabric made from fibers that are interlocked and matted together through a process called felting. It is known for its soft texture, durability, and ability to retain its shape. Felt is made by subjecting fibers, typically wool, to heat, moisture, and pressure, causing the fibers to bind together.

The Composition of Felt

Traditionally, felt is made from natural fibers, such as wool. The structure of felt is formed by the scales on the surface of the wool fibers interlocking with each other during the felting process. This natural composition gives felt its unique characteristics, including its insulating properties and resistance to fire.

The History of Felt

Felt has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It is believed to have been first made by the ancient nomadic tribes, who discovered that the wool from their sheep could be converted into felt through a simple process of agitation and moisture. Over time, felt became widely used by various civilizations for clothing, shelter, and other practical purposes.

One fascinating aspect of felt is its versatility. While wool is the most commonly used fiber in felt-making, other animal fibers such as alpaca, camel, and mohair can also be used. Additionally, synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester can be blended with wool to create different types of felt with unique properties. This wide range of fiber options allows for endless possibilities in terms of color, texture, and performance.

When it comes to the felting process, there are two main methods: wet felting and needle felting. Wet felting involves applying heat, moisture, and pressure to the fibers, causing them to mat together. This method is often used to create larger pieces of felt, such as rugs or wall hangings. Needle felting, on the other hand, involves using a special barbed needle to repeatedly poke the fibers, tangling them together and creating a solid fabric. This technique is commonly used for smaller projects, like sculptures or embellishments.

Not only is felt a practical fabric, but it also has a rich cultural significance. In many cultures around the world, felt is deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship. For example, in Mongolia, felt is used to construct yurts, traditional nomadic dwellings. In Central Asia, felt is intricately used to create stunning rugs, tapestries, and clothing. These cultural practices highlight the beauty and importance of felt as a material that connects people to their heritage.

Furthermore, felt has found its way into various industries beyond fashion and home decor. In the automotive industry, felt is used as a soundproofing material to reduce noise and vibration. It is also utilized in musical instruments, such as pianos and drums, to dampen sound and improve acoustics. The absorbent nature of felt makes it an ideal material for polishing and buffing applications in the jewelry and woodworking industries.

As you can see, felt is not just a simple fabric. Its history, composition, and diverse applications make it a fascinating material with endless possibilities. Whether you're wearing a cozy felt hat, walking on a felt rug, or using felt in your creative projects, you are experiencing the unique qualities and rich heritage of this remarkable fabric.

The Various Types of Felt

Today, there are different types of felt available, each with its own unique properties and uses. Let's explore some of the most common types:

Wool Felt

Wool felt is the most traditional type of felt and is known for its superior quality and natural insulation. It is a popular choice for clothing, hats, and home decor items due to its warm and soft texture.

Wool felt is made from the fibers of sheep's wool, which are processed and compressed to create a dense and sturdy material. The natural crimp of the wool fibers allows the felt to interlock, creating a fabric that is both strong and flexible.

One of the key advantages of wool felt is its excellent insulation properties. The air pockets within the felt trap heat, making it an ideal material for cold weather garments and accessories. Additionally, wool felt is naturally moisture-wicking, which means it can absorb and release moisture without feeling damp.

Synthetic Felt

Synthetic felt, as the name suggests, is made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or acrylic. It is often used in industrial applications where durability and cost-effectiveness are important factors. Synthetic felt is commonly used in automotive industries and construction for gaskets, filters, and insulation.

Unlike wool felt, synthetic felt is made from man-made fibers that are engineered to mimic the properties of natural fibers. This type of felt is highly versatile and can be manufactured to have specific characteristics such as fire resistance, water repellence, or anti-static properties.

One of the main advantages of synthetic felt is its durability. It is resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. Synthetic felt is also easy to clean and maintain, as it is less prone to shrinking or losing its shape when exposed to moisture.

Blended Felt

Blended felt is a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. This type of felt offers a balance between the softness and warmth of wool and the durability of synthetic fibers. It is commonly used in craft projects and home decor.

The blending of natural and synthetic fibers allows for a wider range of colors and textures in blended felt. This makes it a popular choice for artistic and creative projects, where the aesthetic appeal is as important as the functionality of the material.

In addition to its visual appeal, blended felt also benefits from the combined properties of both natural and synthetic fibers. It is soft and comfortable to touch, while also being resistant to pilling and fading. Blended felt is often used for making stuffed toys, decorative pillows, and other home decor items.

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