Microfibers are two times finer than silk and three times finer than cotton, with a thickness of approx. 10 μ and a weight less than 0.1 denier (unit of measurement of the diameter of the fibers corresponding to the weight, in g, of 9000 m of fiber); in particular, it ranges from 0.01 denier for high quality fibers up to 0.9 denier for lower quality fibers. However, it must be considered that a silk fiber weighs 1.5 denier and is therefore at least twice as heavy as any other microfiber silk nightwear.
To compare the quality of a microfibre fabric, you must also measure the density of microfibres present (for example, values from 100,000 to 250,000 fibers per square inch are an indication of high quality): the higher the density of microfibers, the better the absorption capacity. of the fabric. L’ extreme lightness of the fiber makes the microfibre fabrics soft and soft to the touch. Four types of microfibers are produced derived from the microfilament of acrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon fibers; some microfiber fabrics are obtained by combining two different types of fiber such as nylon and polyester: in this case we are talking about hybrid fibers. The structure of a microfiber can be modified by changing the shape and size of the hole through which the fiber itself comes out by extrusion.
The surface characteristics of the microfibre affect the sensitivity to touch and the way in which the fabric reflects the light: using special dies it is possible to create microfibre fabrics that have the property of changing color depending on the angle of incidence of light. Started in the eighties of the century. XX, the development of microfibers was determined by the attempt to replace silk and cotton with a synthetic material of the same characteristics; Particularly suitable for absorbing water, microfibers were initially exploited to produce cleaning cloths: the electronics industry, for example, uses only microfiber rags in areas where integrated circuits are produced. The use of microfibers was subsequently extended to a large number of products, such as tablecloths, socks, tank tops and above all sports items, for which sweat absorption and transpiration capacity are essential. the development of microfibers was determined by the attempt to replace silk and cotton with a synthetic material of the same characteristics; Particularly suitable for absorbing water, microfibers were initially exploited to produce cleaning cloths: the electronics industry, for example, uses only microfiber rags in areas where integrated circuits are produced.