Decatising
Decatising is a textile finishing process used to improve the appearance and hand feel of fabrics, particularly wool and wool-blend materials. Also known as decatizing or decating, this process involves subjecting the fabric to controlled heat, moisture, and pressure to reduce shrinkage, eliminate wrinkles, and enhance the fabric's dimensional stability.
During the decatising process, the fabric is typically passed through a decatising machine, which consists of a series of steam-heated rollers or cylinders. The fabric is guided between these cylinders under tension while steam is applied. The steam softens the fibers and allows them to relax, while the pressure from the rollers helps to smooth out any wrinkles or creases present in the fabric. As a result, the fabric achieves a more uniform and refined appearance.
One of the primary objectives of decatising is to minimize or eliminate the shrinkage that can occur in fabrics made from natural fibers like wool. When wool fabrics are exposed to heat and moisture, the individual wool fibers tend to contract, leading to shrinkage. Decatising helps to stabilize the fabric by allowing the fibers to regain their natural shape and size. This process is especially crucial for fabrics that will undergo further garment construction or processing, as it ensures the fabric's dimensions remain consistent.
In addition to controlling shrinkage, decatising also imparts certain desirable characteristics to the fabric. It can improve the fabric's drape, giving it a more elegant and fluid appearance. Decatising can also enhance the fabric's hand feel, making it softer and more comfortable against the skin. Moreover, this process can help to reduce surface fuzziness, resulting in a smoother and more polished finish.
The top users and manufacturers of decatising technology are typically textile mills, garment manufacturers, and textile finishing companies. These organizations utilize decatising machines as part of their fabric production and finishing processes. Some prominent manufacturers of decatising machines include Brückner Textile Technologies, Monforts Fong's Textile Machinery, Sucker-Müller-Hacoba, and Biancalani. These companies specialize in producing advanced decatising machinery that offers precise control over parameters such as temperature, pressure, and fabric tension, ensuring optimal results for different types of fabrics.
Decatising technology is widely employed in the production of various high-quality fabrics, including suiting materials, woolen blankets, upholstery fabrics, and wool-based fashion garments. Luxury fashion brands and textile manufacturers that prioritize high-quality finishing processes often utilize decatising to enhance the appearance and performance of their fabrics. These brands may include renowned names like Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, and Dormeuil, which are known for their fine wool fabrics and exquisite craftsmanship.
In summary, decatising is a textile finishing process that involves subjecting fabrics to controlled heat, moisture, and pressure to improve their appearance, dimensional stability, and hand feel. It helps to reduce shrinkage, eliminate wrinkles, and create a more refined and uniform fabric surface. Top users and manufacturers of decatising technology are textile mills, garment manufacturers, and textile finishing companies that produce high-quality fabrics for various applications. This process plays a significant role in enhancing the performance and aesthetics of wool and wool-blend textiles, making them suitable for luxury fashion and other high-end markets.
Decatising
The process of steaming wool to set the fabric and reduce shrinkage and creasing
Decatising
A finishing process in which the fabric is wound tightly onto a perforated roller and either immersed in hot water, which is also circulated through the fabric (wet decatising) or has steam blown through it (dry decatising).
NOTE:
Decatising is used mainly to improve the handle and appearance of worsted fabrics.