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Wool: Animal fiber that forms a protective covering of sheep. Raw wool, obtained from
shearing sheep, is cleaned to remove debris and vegetable matter. Natural wool or 100%
wool or compressed wool felt is made of fibers physically interlocked and consolidated by
mechanical work, chemical action and moisture without the use of weaving, knitting, stitching,
thermal bonding or adhesives.
Raw wool of required quality are blended manually. In general, wool fibers of 22 to 28
micron diameter are used to make felt. If blended felt is required, raw wool is mixed with
man made fibers as based on required ratio.
Process of making felt: Wool fibers are opened and separated by the use of an Opner machine
that has spikes and wires to untangle wool locks. After that a Carding machine with revolving
rollers in opposite direction and wired surface acts as a comb to comb wool fibers. Depending
on thickness and density of felt required, layers of wool fibers are placed on a table and
additional layers of fibers are added until desired thickness is achieved. This process is
similar to the process of making cotton candy.
Milling process involves interlocking wool fibers with moisture which allows wool fibers to
become bulky and remain steady. During this process, rubbing action is generated which helps
these wool fibers to interlock. This action is similar to rubbing a knitted woolen sweater in
soapy water and then trying to remove the knitting thread which is difficult. The same rubbing
action is done by the Milling Machine.
Continuous pressure is then applied to achieve required density. After that felt sheets pass
through electrically heated rollers to achieve even thickness. Last step involves cutting felt
sheets per specification.
Compressed Wool Felt also commonly known as "Engineering Felt" is available in sheets and
rolls. Technical Felt also known as "Industrial Felt" is available in sheets only. Both felts
are available in various qualities, thickness and density.
Carbon felt is the highest grade of felt. Raw wool is chemically processed to remove every
spec of debris before felt sheets are manufactured. Carbon felt products are used for precision
polishing where even a minute scratch can make a difference. This is the main reason items made
from Carbon felt are more expensive.
Felt can withstand maximum temperature 100 degree C. Anything higher will burn the felt and
turn it into charcoal.
Porous structure of the felt enhances it's suction capability which in turn helps in
transmission of liquids. These liquids when slowly released allow the felt to also act as an
efficient medium of lubrication.
Dry and wet filtration of suspended particles in air and gas is also due to porous structure
of felt. Characteristics like elasticity and resistance to wear help felt to be used as
"Pressure Pads" in steel service centers during slitting and shearing operations. It also acts
as "coolant wiper" thus serving a dual purpose of an industry.
Resilience is an inherent characteristic of sheep wool fiber which results in a good sealing
agent. This can prevent leakage of dust, noise, heat, cold etc.
Air trapped in the porous structure of felt also makes it an excellent insulation material.
High porous structure makes felt a bad conductor of sound waves.
Felt Wheels are used for Polishing, Buffing and scratch removal on variety of surfaces such
as metals, plastic, marble, granite and glass. Felt cannot polish by itself but is an efficient
carrier of abrasive particles.
Felt Rings are extensively used on the final section of beveling machines to polish frosted
surface of beveled glass to an optically clear finish. Felt Wheels and Rings have a reputation
for out performing other polishing materials. They have the ability to accept all types of
polishing compounds and slurries and, therefore, are considered an "ideal friend" of polishing
materials. Abrasive particles evenly get distributed in capillaries of felt thereby evenly
polishing the required surface. Sheep wool is considered to be one of the best resilient
materials among natural fibers as it has the ability to hold desired edges and shape throughout
the life of the wheel. As felt wears off, new surface has identical medium of polishing compound
because felt surface does not get glazed.
Polishing felt is available in various shapes, sizes and hardness made from 100% fine micron
sheep wool. Hardness is categorized in four densities: Soft - 0.50 gm/c3, Medium - 0.60 gm/c3,
Hard - 0.70 gm/c3 and Rock Hard - 0.80 gm/c3. For buffing, commonly used compounds are Tripoli,
Rouge, S.S. Compound and Emery paste available in local hardware stores.
For polishing, felt wheel is headed with abrasive grain beginning from 120 grit to finer grit
using hide glue or cement as matrix.
The ability to machine felt close to tolerance makes it possible to offer an exact felt
profile required to match the profile of part.
#6 White Aspen Court * Little Rock, AR 72212
Telephone: 501-225-2838 * Fax: 501-219-9611
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