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Performance

FAQ

1. What makes Antron® different from other commercial carpet fibers, and how do these differences impact carpet appearance and performance?

Antron® is comprised of four components that enable it to deliver the key performance and aesthetic qualities you demand from commercial carpet:

  • Superior polymer substrate-type 6,6 nylon
  • Fiber engineering-exclusive hollow filament shape
  • Advanced soil-resistance technology-DuraTech® soil resistant treatment
  • Performance Testing - Antron® Performance Standards Testing Program

2. What's the difference between type 6,6 and type 6 nylon?

Type 6,6 nylon has a tighter molecular structure than type 6 nylon due to a higher level of hydrogen bonding and maximum alignment between molecular chains, creating a tighter structure that better resists crushing, matting and stain penetration. Type 6 nylon does not have this level of internal bonding, resulting in a more open structure. And, type 6,6 nylon gives carpet the unique balance of strength, elasticity and durability it needs to survive in commercial installations.

3. What makes Antron Lumena® better than the competitors' Type 6,6 cationic solution dyed nylon?

Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon has been engineered to offer greater stain resistance than any other solution dyed nylon. In addition, Antron Lumena® has a unique hollow filament fiber shape (versus the shapes without hollow filaments used in competitive products), which provides superior soil hiding and soil release properties. All carpets of Antron® nylon have DuraTech® soil resistant technology, so carpet looks newer longer. While competitive products may also have a fluorochemical treatment, these treatments are not as durable as DuraTech® which can withstand heavy traffic and many hot water extractions.

4. What makes Antron® Legacy and Antron® Brilliance™ better than competitive Type 6,6 dyeable nylon?

Antron® Legacy and Antron® Brilliance™ have unique hollow filament cross sections (versus the shapes without hollow filaments used in competitive type 6,6 dyeable nylon), which provides superior soil hiding and soil release properties. Carpets of Antron® Legacy and Antron® Brilliance™ also have DuraTech® soil resistant technology, which keeps your carpet looking newer longer. While competitive products may also have a fluorochemical treatment, these treatments are not as durable as DuraTech® which can withstand heavy traffic and many hot water extractions.

5. How are Antron® nylon fibers engineered?

Only Antron® nylon features exclusive hollow filament fiber shapes that are specially engineered to minimize trapped soil and make carpets easier to clean. Exclusive fiber engineering results in specially designed exterior surfaces, with reduced crevices that trap soil.

6. I saw a solution dyed carpet with a multicolor yarn running through it. Will this give me colorfastness?

No. The multicolored yarn is most likely not a solution dyed fiber. The random color aesthetic within the carpet is generally achieved by "space dyeing" a fiber. Dyeable fibers are not as colorfast as solution dyed fibers under extreme conditions. A carpet of 100% solution dyed nylon will ensure colorfastness to intense sunlight or harsh cleaning chemicals. Only Antron Lumena® with ColorLink™ technology can give you that random color placement with the performance of 100% solution dyed nylon.

7. Why can't I get the colors I want in a solution dyed carpet?

The colorfastness benefits of solution dyed nylon are based on the pigments (colorants) added to the molten polymer during the fiber manufacturing process. A limited number of pigments are available to achieve all desired colors and still meet colorfastness requirements. Antron Lumena® gives you over 140 individual colors which means virtually unlimited color combinations.

8. I'm looking for a carpet that will withstand exceptionally high traffic. Which Antron® nylon fiber should I specify?

Antron® Legacy nylon and Antron® Brilliance™ nylon are the right choices for high-traffic environments that are susceptible to heavy soiling, such as corporate offices, airports and schools. The fibers are engineered to minimize soil-trapping crevices and are protected with patented DuraTech® soil resistant technology.

9. I'm looking for a carpet that will withstand frequent spills and stains. Which Antron® nylon fiber should I specify?

INVISTA offers two products that withstand stains in the commercial interior environment. Antron® nylon with StainRESIST™ fiber technology offers the styling flexibility of a white dyeable fiber, with stain resistance that remains durable even when subjected to up to 1 million foot traffics and common commercial cleaning procedures. Antron® nylon with StainRESIST™ fiber technology is also protected with DuraTech® soil-resistance technology that provides superior soil resistance versus carpets made from other solution dyed fibers.

Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon is the right choice for commercial environments especially hospitals, restaurants and public spaces where frequent spills and cleanings are inevitable. Carpets of Antron Lumena® are easier to care for-most stains can be removed with water and a mild detergent alone. Equally important, the color is locked into the fiber, so it can stand up to everything from aggressive cleaning solutions to intense sunlight without sacrificing colorfastness. Antron Lumena® is also protected with DuraTech® soil-resistance technology that provides superior soil resistance versus carpets made from other solution dyed fibers.

Both Antron® nylon with StainRESIST™ fiber technology and Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against stains.

10. If the architect folder says the fiber content is Antron® Legacy nylon or Antron® Brilliance™ nylon but the dye method is "yarn dyed/solution dyed", what fiber is the carpet made of and how will it perform?

Some carpets contain a blend of Antron® Legacy nylon or Antron® Brilliance™ and Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon for styling reasons. Since the entire carpet will not have the stain resistance and colorfastness properties of Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon, the carpet must be trademarked as Antron® Legacy nylon. All warranties for carpet of Antron® Legacy nylon would apply. These carpets have all the benefits of Antron® nylon including superior resistance to crushing and matting as well as soil resistance and soil hiding that is characteristic of INVISTA type 6,6 nylon and the hollow filament shape.

11. If my budget doesn't allow for a carpet of Antron®, what is the next best fiber choice?

In lower budget ranges, carpet of XTI® nylon or DSDN® solution dyed nylon provide superior performance versus carpet of competitive type 6 nylon. XTI® nylon should be used when a dyeable fiber is needed for maximum color choice. If colorfastness or stain cleanability is a concern, DSDN® solution dyed nylon is the right choice.

12. How do carpets of DSDN® solution dyed nylon compare to carpets of type 6 solution dyed nylon products in soil and stain resistance?

DSDN® is superior in soil and stain performance to competitive type 6 solution dyed nylon fibers. However, carpet of Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon provides the ultimate in soil hiding and soil release due to the hollow filament shape and DuraTech® soil resistant treatment. Plus, carpet of Antron Lumena® provides superior stain cleanability compared to all other solution dyed nylon fibers.

13. Do carpets of Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon have antimicrobial properties?

In order for a carpet manufacturer to claim a carpet is antimicrobial, the carpet must be registered with the EPA. Although we have not changed our manufacturing process for Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon, we do not claim antimicrobial properties on the fiber. For more information, see our Antimicrobial Issues Relating to Carpet White Paper on our website.

14. Is type 6,6 nylon harder to recycle than type 6 nylon?

Differences in the actual recycling processes for type 6,6 and type 6 nylon are negligible. However, when reclaiming either type of nylon it is the collection, identification and separation of waste materials that is the greatest challenge. The INVISTA™ Carpet Reclamation Program reclaims all types of used commercial carpet and commits that it will not end up in a landfill.

15. What do the warranties for carpets of Antron® nylon cover?

Carpets of Antron® Legacy nylon and Antron® Brilliance™ nylon are backed by 10-year abrasive wear and life-of-the-carpet static protection warranties.

Carpets of Antron Lumena® solution dyed nylon are backed by 10-year abrasive wear and life-of-the-carpet static protection warranties. In addition, carpets of Antron Lumena® are covered by a limited lifetime stain warranty, a five-year warranty for colorfastness after exposure to atmospheric contaminants and a 10-year warranty for colorfastness after exposure to light.

Carpets of Antron nylon with StainRESIST™ fiber technology are backed by a limited lifetime stain warranty, a 10-year abrasive wear and a limited lifetime antistatic warranty.

16. How is DuraTech® soil resistant treatment different from competitive offerings?

Only DuraTech® soil resistant treatment is durable enough to withstand the heavy traffic and cleaning to which commercial carpet is subjected. Competitive offerings can wash off or wear off with traffic. The combination of DuraTech® soil resistant treatment and the hollow filament shape gives carpet of Antron® nylon superior soil resistance and soil release compared to competitive products. For more information, see our Fluorochemical Specification for Soil Resistance and Appearance Retention White Paper.