In a segmented pie fiber, wedges of two incompatible polymers such as PET and nylon sit side by side, and the impact of hydroentangling jets or mechanical action breaks them apart into microfibers well below 1 dtex. Islands-in-the-sea fibers reach finer sizes still by dissolving the sea polymer away. The result is a soft, dense fabric with high surface area for cleaning cloths, synthetic suede and filtration.
Splittable fiber only opens up with enough jet energy, so don't cut manifold pressure on the microfiber cloth.
Also heard as
- segmented pie fiber
- splittable bico
Related terms
Bicomponent fiber
Fiber spun from two different polymers in one cross section, such as a low-melting sheath around a strong core.
Hydroentangling
Bonding a fiber web by blasting it with rows of very fine, high-pressure water jets that tangle the fibers together.
dtex
Decitex: fiber fineness unit equal to the mass in grams of 10,000 meters of fiber, the European standard.
Spunlace
Fabric bonded by hydroentangling, and the usual trade name for the whole process family.