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FABRIC KNOWLEDGE / 01

Performance & technology

See how solution dyeing puts color inside a fiber, and learn which test results to check before specifying acrylic fabric for sun, rain or repeated wear.

01 / COLOR PROCESS

Color before the fiber forms

In solution dyeing, pigments are mixed into the polymer solution before it is spun into fibers. The pigment is distributed through the fiber as it forms. The resulting yarn can then be woven into fabric.

  1. 01 / MIX

    Disperse pigment

    Blend pigment into the polymer solution before forming the fiber.

  2. 02 / FORM

    Spin the fiber

    The colored solution forms fibers with pigment distributed through the cross-section.

  3. 03 / MAKE YARN

    Prepare the yarn

    Combine fibers into the yarn that will be used in the fabric.

  4. 04 / WEAVE

    Build the fabric

    Weave the yarn into fabric. Construction and finish also affect how the finished material behaves.

This describes a general process. Confirm the fiber, coloring method and finish for the specific fabric you are ordering.

02 / INTERACTIVE DIAGRAM

Where does the color sit?

Switch between the outside view and a cross-section. The right-hand example represents color confined to the surface; it does not represent every dyeing method.

Choose a view

Solution-dyed yarn

The cylindrical yarn looks evenly colored from the outside.

The circular cut view shows color from the surface to the center.

Surface-only color

A surface-colored yarn can look just as uniform from the outside.

The circular cut view separates the colored outer ring from the lighter core.

Schematic illustration, not a fabric sample or a prediction of fading. Actual color retention is assessed with the appropriate test report.

How to compare color after 1,000 hours
  1. Choose matched samples. Include the exact acrylic, polyester and cotton constructions under consideration. Record the starting color, finish and any preconditioning for each sample.
  2. Expose them together. Use the same lab protocol, light source and exposure conditions. Keep an unexposed control for each material and record the exposure schedule, including the 1,000-hour endpoint if specified.
  3. Compare measured change. Ask the lab to report the color change using the same rating scale or color-difference method. The report should identify each tested fabric and color.

No results are shown without comparable reports. A laboratory exposure duration does not translate directly to years outdoors.

03 / PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

Know which test to ask for

Match the test to the application, then compare reports with the same method, conditions and reporting units. These are examples of test methods, not published ratings for RECOMBU fabrics.

Abrasion resistance

ASTM D4966 / Martindale

Assesses wear under repeated rubbing. Check the reported cycles, the test load, the abrasive and the endpoint. Start here for seating and other high-contact surfaces.

Lightfastness

ISO 105-B02 / Xenon arc

Assesses color change under artificial light. Compare the exposure conditions and the rating scale. Lightfastness does not give a service life in years or a UV protection rating.

Hydrostatic head

ISO 811 / Hydrostatic pressure

Assesses water penetration through fabric under pressure. Check the units, the tested face and any pretreatment. For covers, also evaluate seams, runoff and pooling on the finished piece.

Air permeability

ASTM D737 / Air permeability

Measures air flow through a set area at a specified pressure difference. Check the pressure and units before comparing reports. Air flow and water vapor transmission are different measurements.

04 / EVIDENCE AND COVERAGE

Check what applies to your order

Reports and certifications

  • For a UPF rating, including UPF 50+, check the UV transmission test for the exact fabric and color. Use separate reports for water resistance and mildew performance.
  • For OEKO-TEX® or other certifications, check the certificate number, product scope and validity. Confirm any recyclability statement against the actual fabric construction, finish and available collection route.
  • A test method name alone does not establish a result, a pass or a certification.

Five-year fabric warranty

  • RECOMBU offers a five-year warranty on fabric. Review the written terms for the chosen fabric and use before ordering.
  • Confirm coverage and exclusions separately for labor, seams, hardware and the completed installation.
  • Keep the purchase record and the roll or lot reference.
View the acrylic fabric guide Fabric selection and care