Filling Materials used in the Brush Manufacturing Process

Filling Materials used in the brush construction
The company makes use of a wide variety of filling materials in manufacturing brushes and brooms. They mainly fall into two categories, namely vegetable fibres & synthetic fibres. In addition animal hair is being used in the construction of finer brushes such as paint brushes. Depending on the suitability for the application the company also uses mixture of these fibres in brush construction.
Vegetable Fibres
Vegetable fibres are obtained from naturally grown plants
	Natural Coco Fibre (COIR) - Coir fibre is obtained from the outer layer (husk) of the fruit of Coconut tree grown in Sri Lanka. Coco fibre is inexpensive and has average wearing and sweeping properties and is liable to crush and distort, and is used mainly in the cheaper household and industrial brooms.
	Black Coco Fibre (DYED COCO) Black dyed coco is obtained dying natural coco has exactly the same properties as natural coco, but is more expensive. Flagged Black Fibre is specially treated dyed coco fibre where the ends have been flagged or split. It sweeps better than plain coco fibre, especially in drier dusty conditions, looks much more attractive and has a softer feel.
	Palmyra (BASSINE) Palmyra is taken from the stalks of the Palmyra palm in Southern India. The Plamyra is inexpensive and durable, and its sweeping qualities are fair, but it is not resilient and may distort in use especially when wet. As with most of the other vegetable fibres it has good resistance to heat and most chemicals. It is mainly used in warehouse brooms, in mixtures for scrubbing brushes and in household brushes and brooms.
	Bahia Piassava (BASS) Bahia is from the state of Bahia in Brazil.The fibre is a leaf stalk fiber & harvested from the tree. The water absorption is high & does not rot when damp & is very resilient to distortion. Bahia is widely used in semi-stiff yard brooms, diary & industrial platform brooms, chimney sweeps' brushes and also in stiffer hand brushes.
	Arenga (GUMATI ) Arenga fiber is harvested from the Arenga Pinnata Palm in Indonesia. Arenga is softer and finer than Bahia Paissava. However, wearing and sweeping qualities are similar to Bahia Piassava. It does not crush easily or rot, and is very hard wearing and resilient. Brushes made using Arenga are excellent for sweeping dry concrete and smooth floors.
	Tampico Fibre This is a leaf fiber obtained from lecheguilla plant which grows in Mexico. This material has good wearing and reasonable sweeping qualities, but is liable to crush. It is also very water absorbent, and non-electrostatic, so that the brushes remain dust free.
Synthetic Monofilaments
Synthetic Monofilaments are made by humans and therefore artificial in nature. But these have variety of properties.
	Polypropylen (PPN) PPN is very light and has good wearing properties. However, it is a little “dead” in use and has poor recovery from crushing. It has a reasonably high temperature resistance and a good resistance to acids. It is used in many bass and platform brooms and household brushes. Brushes made using PPN can be used in hot water.
	Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) has excellent wearing and sweeping properties, but has a tendency to “flick” in use. It can be used in a similar manner to Polypropylene, but should never be used in temperatures greater than 65°C.
	Flagged PVC/PPN Fibre end of the fibres are split and therefore enables smooth clearing.
Animal Hair
Animal hairs are mainly used in constructing finer brushes.
	Horse Hair. Obtained from tail of the horses. This is an expensive fibre therefore, usually mixed with PVC to reduce cost.
	Hankow Bristle. Hankow bristle from China is mostly used in paint brushes.