Specification

It is important to understand carpet construction in
order to apply the variables that affect performance
of a specific installation. Tufted carpet consists of the
following components: the face yarn, which can be
cut pile, loop pile, or a combination of cut and loop
pile; primary backing fabric; a bonding compound,
usually SB latex, but may be polyurethane, PVC, or
fabric; and (often) a secondary backing fabric.
The development of the broadloom tufting
machine and the introduction of synthetic carpet
yarns in the early 1950s transformed the American
carpet industry from low-volume production of
woven luxury products to mass production of high-
quality and comfortable, yet popularly priced,
goods. The explosive growth of carpet sales in the
United States in the ensuing years paralleled the
continual development of tufting technology, the
proliferation of high-speed tufting machines, and
the development of synthetic carpet fibers and
alternative backing systems. As a result, today’s
carpet is both better and less expensive.
Figures 1.1 and 1.2 illustrate how these elements
are combined to form carpet.
SECTION 1
CARPET CONSTRUCTION
1-1
Tuft
Primary
Backing
Fabric
Secondary
Backing Fabric
Adhesive
Compound
Attached
Cushion
Primary
Polypropylene
Backing
TYPICAL CUT PILE CARPET PROFILE
TYPICAL LOOP PILE CARPET WITH ATTACHED
CUSHION OR SPECIALTY BACK
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2