Crimplene

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crimplene is a texturised continuous fibre launched in 1959, produced by modifying Terylene.[1] The patent was taken out by Mario Nava of Chesline and Crepes Ltd of Macclesfield, and sold to ICI Fibres.[2] ICI licensed the product to various throwsters. The largest producer was William Tatton of Leek, and the Golbourne factory was at one time capable of taking the entire output of ICI's Wilton production of Terylene.

Although it was highly profitable in the 1960s, the market collapsed in the 1970s, with ICI taking control of Tattons and Qualitex to form Intex Yarns. Production was dramatically reduced, and ICI sold Intex at a later stage with it closing completely some time later.

History[edit]

Astronlon-C, a polyamide yarn, and Astralene-C, a polyester yarn, were irritating to the skin when made into clothing. Companies had been trying for some time to find an artificial yarn alternative.

By boiling them for various periods in a domestic pressure cooker at home, Dennis Hibbert, chief textile engineer at Cheslene and Crepes Sutton Mills, Macclesfield, believed he had found the answer. Along with the chief engineer at Scraggs Ltd, Macclesfield, they designed a machine to replicate his findings.

The name "Crimplene" was chosen for two reasons. The first was that ICI had their headquarters in Harrogate; specifically nearby Crimple Valley. The word "crimp" also means to fold and intertwine. After successful trials, Dennis's wife Margaret had the first Crimplene dress, and the patent rights were sold to ICI. In 1960 an article appeared in the industries journal The Hosiery Times that caused a sensation, and Crimplene clothing was launched at high society fashion shows in London, Paris, New York and Milan.

The fabric received huge publicity upon its introduction in the mid-1960s; advertisements stressed its convenient 'wash-and-wear' properties. Crimplene was often used to make the typical A-line dress of 1960s fashion. It soon became synonymous for budget-priced fashions for women and children.

From the mid-1970s Crimplene began to fall out of fashion in the UK. Other, lighter-weight polyester fabrics replaced Crimplene for their ease of movement and ventilation (comsumer complaints against the fabric were that it retained body odour and was subject to surface 'bobbling' .[3] Crimplene is seldom used today[when?] as fashion preferences have drifted towards more natural cottons.

Crimplene suits were[when?] regarded in some countries[where?] as "working-men's going-out clothes".

Mario Nava received an OBE in June 1979.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Shishoo, Roshan (August 29, 2005). Textiles in Sport. Elsevier. p. 49. ISBN 1845690885. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Now it's Crimplene for Men". Man-made Textiles and Skinner's Record. 44: 47. 1967. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  3. ^ Scheirs, John; Long, Timothy E. (September 1, 2005). Modern Polyesters: Chemistry and Technology of Polyesters and Copolyesters. John Wiley & Sons. p. 14. ISBN 0470090677. Retrieved 14 March 2018.