Toyobo’s high-strength, ultra-light SILFINEYELL® nylon fabric has been
selected for use in Mountain Hardwear* down jackets, and marketing
began during the autumn/winter season of 2011.
*Mountain Headwear is a core brand of Mountain Hardwear Inc. based in
Richmond, California.)
The High-Strength, Ultra-Light SILFINEYELL® Nylon Fabric (for Down
Jacket Use)
・Brand
name: Phantom Jacket
・Weight: 450 grams (large size)
・Materials: Body:100% nylon
Insulation:800 fill goose down
・Marketing launch:Autumn/winter season of 2011
This is a medium-loft down jacket for climbing during snow season
that offers ample heat retention properties. It is well-suited for use
during time spent in snow country and periods of rest as well as during
belay periods. The box space around the waist area is compact to
prevent uneven shifting of the down, and the jacket is also attractive
because of the soft comfort provided by the quality feel of its 800
fill power down.
1. Features of the High-Strength, Ultra-Light SILFINEYELL®
Nylon Fabric (for Down Jacket Use)
(1) The lightweight, thin fabric is compact while also
offering highly durable breathability and tear resistance.
The fabric is a high-density material that uses yarn with a
Y-shaped cross section having a variant grade of 3.0*, which succeeds
in making the fabric light, compact, and highly tear resistant while
also offering highly durable breathability.
Previous materials used for the outer fabric of light, thin down
jackets tended to lose their breathability after repeated washing and
storage.
SILFINEYELL®, because of its overlapping Y-shaped fibers, has a
structure that makes it difficult for the fibers to change position
when made into textiles, and this performs the function of preventing
the down from escaping. In addition, SILFINEYELL® offers the functions
necessary for outdoor apparel, and, even when washed consecutively for
100 times (using the JIS1096 F1 method), it maintains durable
breathability.
In addition, tests conducted by IDFL**, the U.S. public-sector
organization, have confirmed that SILFINEYELL® retains its down-proof
properties even after many washings.
Even with a high variant grade yarn, SILFINEYELL® fabric is a
next-generation outer material that combines high tear strength and
light weight.
*The long span of the monofilament cross section (the radius of the
longest portion) divided by the short span of the monofilament cross
section (the radius of the shortest portion)
**IDFL stands for International Down and Feather Laboratory and
Institute.
The original yarn in SILFINEYELL® that is utilized in lightweight
fabrics makes use of a nylon resin material made with special
polymerization technologies, and, as a result of a new yarn extrusion
nozzle design, the yarn has excellent properties. In addition, spinning
technology that results in superior evenness of dyeing has been
developed.
Nylon
fabrics in general use (33 decitex)
One example of a row of SILFINEYELL® fabric (33
decitex)
2. Future Development
The outdoor wear industry has shifted toward lighter-weight products
since the year 2000, and, in recent years, this trend has become even
more pronounced. In 2006, Toyobo Specialties Trading Co., Ltd. (TSTC),
won the "2006 ISPO VOLVO Sports Design Award" for down jackets that
made use of SILFINE®-N and were adopted for Patagonia’s women’s down
sweaters. In 2009 and 2010, TSTC also received the "2009 Outdoor
Industry Award" and the "2010 Outside Gear of the Year Award" for
Marmot rainwear. In addition, Mountain Hardwear windbreakers received
the "GOLD Award" at the Outdoor Retailer Show in August 2011.
This time, apparel items made with extreme variance Y-shaped cross
section SILFINEYELL® were added to the lineup of products. Going
forward, TSTC will continue to make use of high-functional materials,
proceed with the development of their new uses, and aggressively expand
its sales.
For more information, contact:
The Toyobo Public Relations Group pr_g@toyobo.jp
Nylon
fabrics in general use (33 decitex)
One example of a row of SILFINEYELL® fabric (33
decitex)
