Most carpet-based mats are made out nylon and/or polypropylene. Nylon carpeting is seen as a softer option that is less abrasive and works well for wiping off and holding water and small amounts of dirt. Nylon mats are ideal for interior applications where the mat is not exposed to outside elements. Polypropylene on the other hand, is more of a fishing line material that is very abrasive and easily removes large amounts of snow and dirt. Mats made with polypropylene material work great due to their durability and rigid fibers that are very hard to "matt" down. Some mats incorporate both materials creating both a scraping and a wiping action with every step.
MonoTuft Heavy Duty Carpet™
The most aggressive interior carpet insert available – nylon and polypropylene combination with monofilament fibers. Also described as Bristle Filament Inserts – This Heavy-Duty nylon polypropylene blended carpet has an aggressive brush action, and is able to remove mud from shoes and can absorb moisture at the same time. Recommended for interior use with heavy traffic, and hybrid use situations. These heavy-duty inserts are highly effective at scraping dirt and wiping moisture from everyday footwear traffic.
NYLON OR POLYPROPYLENE?
What is Nylon?
Nylon is a common floor covering choice and makes up about 65 percent of carpeting sold in the United States. Nylon resists stains and mildew; it is extremely strong and durable. Nylon is easy to clean and helps keep embedded soil out of sight. Additionally, nylon fibers are receptive to dyeing colors, resulting in a large assortment of color selection. The wide color selection and texture make nylon a great option for logos. Nylon’s synthetic, soft fibers have a tendency to matt down over time and heavy usage.
Nylon’s high moisture absorption rate and fast drying properties, make it an excellent choice for interior mats that are used to wipe and hold moisture, as well as trap and retain sand/soil. These nylon-type wiping mats or metal mat entrance mat carpet inserts are ideally placed inside your building, used as a part of the Ideal Traffic Matting Zone System.
What is Polypropylene? (also called Olefin)
Polypropylene, in addition to being hardy, resists moisture, water damage, staining, pilling, and shedding making it an excellent value. Polypropylene fibers clean very well and most staining is non-existent. Polypropylene fibers used for matting are stiff and abrasive making them excellent scraper-type mats. (Fishing line is made from the same material.)
Unlike other synthetic fibers, polypropylene does not absorb water and, therefore, needs to be solution dyed to color it. Solution dyeing is a pigmentation process in which color is built into the fiber when it is formed/extruded. The color becomes an integral part of the fiber and, as a result, will not fade even when exposed to intense sunlight, bleach, or harsh chemicals. Because of the manufacturing process required to add color, fewer and less vibrant color options are available.
A properly manufactured polypropylene fiber product will outperform a similarly constructed nylon product because of its inherent stain and fade resistance. Any entrance mat or metal entrance mat inserts constructed using polypropylene fibers, with added UV protection treatment, makes it an excellent choice for either outside your building or as a vestibule mat, used as a part of the Ideal Traffic Matting Zone system.
What Happens When You Mix Nylon and Polypropylene Fibers?
Combining the best features of both nylon and polypropylene results in a heavy duty, aggressive interior carpet. You have the stiff, aggressive scraping properties from the polypropylene fibers and the soft, moisture-absorbing wiping fibers from the nylon.
Entrance mats or aluminum roll-up type entrance mat inserts made from this fiber combination are an excellent addition for use in the Ideal Traffic Matting Zone System.
