![]() Historians write that flocking can be traced back to circa 1000 B.C.E., when the Chinese used resin glue to bond natural fibers to fabrics. The flocking process is used on items ranging from retail consumer goods to products with high technology military applications. The variety of materials that are applied to numerous surfaces through different flocking methods creates a wide range of end products. A flocked finish imparts a decorative and/or functional characteristic to the surface. The majority of flocking done worldwide uses finely cut natural or synthetic fibers. A number of different substrates can be flocked including textiles, fabric, woven fabric, paper, PVC, sponge, toys, and automotive plastic. Flock material flies vertically onto the substrate attaching to previously applied glue. In a flocking machine the "flock" is given a negative charge whilst the substrate is earthed. 1 fiber 2 adhesive 3 substrateįlocking is defined as the application of fine particles to adhesive-coated surfaces, usually by the application of a high-voltage electric field. Flock fibers įlock fibers are the short fibers that are used in flocking. Flocking as a decorative art dates back to the 14th century when short silk fibers were deposited on freshly painted walls. Flocking in fabrics is possible all over the surface or in a localized area as well. In flocking, fibers or a layer are deposited over a base layer with the help of adhesive. Thin fibers produce a soft velvety surface, thicker fibers a more bristle-like surface.įlocking in fabrics is a method of creating another surface, imitating a piled one. The length of the fibers can vary in thickness which co-determines the appearance of the flocked product. Flock print feels somewhat velvet and a bit elevated. It is also used to produce light-tight passages for film such as in 135 film cartridges.įlock consists of synthetic fibers that look like tiny hairs. In the photographic industry, flocking is one method used to reduce the reflectivity of surfaces, including the insides of some bellows and lens hoods. A view on the present state-of-the-art of flocking can be found in the first international exhibition "Flockage: the flock phenomenon" in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth. Many rally cars also have a flocked dashboard to cut down on the sun reflecting through the windscreen. įlocking in the automotive industry is used for decorative purposes and may be applied to a number of different materials. Artist, Electric Coffin, is known for their many colorful flocked works, including a 50-foot piece in Facebook's Seattle headquarters. ![]() Presently, the exploration of the flock phenomenon can be seen in the fine arts. They range from screen printing to modern digital printing in order to refine for instance fabric, clothes or books by multicolor patterns. Scanning electron microscope image of the end of a flock fiber in bulk sample from a card manufacturing plantīesides the application of velvety coatings to surfaces and objects there exist various flocking techniques as a means of color and product design.
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