fiber additivesQ-Wick™ and 4DG™ Fibers
    fiber additives  
 

4DG fibers have a special, highly modified cross section that provides several deep grooves that run along the length of each fiber.  These channels are useful for achieving a number of different functions, listed below.  4DG fibers are available in either staple or filament forms, and in a wide variety of polymers.

 
Q-Wick Fibers: Capillary Wicking

     As illustrated above, the channels in the surface of a 4DG fiber promote capillary wicking.  As a result, these fibers are exceptionally well-suited for moisture transport applications, such as in comfort apparel.  Testing has shown these fibers to be the highest-performing wicking fibers commercially available.  If made with the right specs, 4DG fibers can transport up to 2 liters of water per hour per gram of fiber.  And if your application demands it, F.I.T. can engineer these fibers to transport other low-viscosity liquids, including oils.  Depending on the application specifics, 4DG fibers can be used to move liquid away from a source for efficient evaporation, or they can be used to absorb and store the liquid. 

    In capillary wicking applications, 4DG fibers are produced by FIT under the "Q-Wick" brand name.
 
Filtration
     The grooves in a 4DG fiber are also good for trapping particles in an air or liquid stream.  These fibers typically have about 3 times the specific surface area of a comparable round fiber, so there is more likelihood that particles will adhere to the fiber.  More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that the grooves provide areas where eddy currents will preferentially deposit particles, and where particles can collect without blocking pores in the fabric.  So filtration
efficiency is increased without increasing pressure drop across the fabric.
 
Thermal Insulation
     In the cross section photo to the right, you can see how much of the fiber partially surrounds pockets of air.  Because of the near-encapsulation of these air chambers, the air flow rate into or out of the grooves is low.  This means that a high volume of air that is less able to participate in convection.  The result is that 4DG fibers are very effective in thermal insulation applications.   

     In fact, a study conducted for NASA concluded that 4DG fibers are more effective for thermal insulation than any other fibers tested.

 
                         
    Acoustical Insulation              
       As you might expect from looking at the structure of the channels and the high surface area, these fibers are also useful in providing sound insulation.  A study published by the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC) shows the effectiveness of 4DG fibers in acoustic insulation.  
 
Material Delivery
     The grooves of a 4DG fiber can be filled with an active material for delivery from the fiber when the fiber is put into service.  Examples include detergents in scrubbing pads, polishes, medications in wound dressings, etc. 
 
to learn more...
On our Publications page,  you can download a number of publications that describe the unique performance advantages offered by  4DG™ fibers, as well as some promising applications for these fibers.  Or click on "cross sections" to see  other specialized fiber cross sections that we make.  Or click the "Capabilities" button to the left to find out more about our other fiber production capabilities.  And of course, you can always contact us.  We'll be happy to discuss your ideas with you.