Fiber Basics with Shaw

Nylon

Since the 1960’s, Nylon has been the most commonly used carpet fiber.  Overall, nylon is the most durable and versatile of all fibers and provides flexibility in creating many different carpet styles.  Nylon can be found in a wide range of both cut pile and loop pile styles.  Most nylon carpets feature a stain-resist carpet treatment for protection against household spills and stains.  Shaw Nylon’s are protected with R2X®, the leading and most effective stain and soil resistance treatment in the industry.

PTT (triexta)

PTT (Polythrimethylene Terephthalate) is a polyester fiber, first patented in 1941.  In the 1990’s a low-cost method of producing the fiber was discovered.  Shaw introduced the first BCF PTT (Corterra) residential carpet in the United States in 2001.

PTT features good resiliency and excellent inherent stain resistance.

Polyester (PET)

Polyester offers exceptional softness and color clarity.  This fiber is naturally stain and fade resistant.  Polyester is not as resilient as nylon, but it will perform well if appropriately constructed.  Polyester carpet styles typically represent good value.

Polypropylene (OLEFIN)

Polypropylene will not absorb water and must be solution dyed (pigmented) to impart color.  Solution dying is a process in which color is built in to the fiber as it is being formed.  This becomes an inherent part of the fiber that cannot be removed.  The color will not fade, even when exposed to chemicals, bleach, harsh sunlight, etc.