Oxford cloth: versatile fabric from origin to application

•       Raw Materials and Structure

◦       Raw Materials：Traditional Oxford cloth is made from finer combed cotton yarns and is woven using a weft rib plain weave structure. Nowadays, most Oxford cloth on the market uses polyester and nylon filaments or low-stretch filaments. There are also types interwoven with polyester-cotton blended yarns and cotton yarns. The linear density of the yarns ranges from 8.4 to 66.7 tex.

◦       Structure：The fabric structures include double warp single weft, single warp double weft, double warp double weft, etc., with double warp single weft being the main one. The warp is fine and the weft is thick, and the fabric surface features prominent granules and a pin-dot effect with alternating white and colored patterns.

•       Characteristics

◦       Advantages

▪       High Durability：With a dense fiber structure, it has excellent abrasion resistance and tear resistance. It is not easy to wear during daily use, can withstand frequent use, and has a long service life, making it suitable for making durable items such as backpacks and suitcases.

▪       Versatile Functions：Through post-finishing processes such as waterproofing, flame retardancy, breathable and moisture permeable treatment, lamination, and calendering, it can have multiple functions such as waterproofing, oil resistance, stain resistance, flame retardancy, and UV resistance, meeting the needs of different environments and uses.

▪       Easy to Maintain：Most Oxford cloth products can be machine-washed. They dry quickly and are not easy to deform. For daily stains, wiping with a damp cloth is sufficient. Cleaning and maintenance are relatively simple.

▪       Diverse Appearances：A wide variety of colors and patterns can be created through dyeing and printing processes, meeting the personalized needs of different consumers and being suitable for various fashion trends.

▪       High Cost-Effectiveness：Compared with nylon or high-end functional fabrics, it is moderately priced and offers high cost-effectiveness. It provides good performance while being more affordable for consumers.

▪       Lightweight：Compared with some other durable fabrics, such as canvas, Oxford cloth is lighter in weight, making it easy to carry and process. This gives it great advantages in the fields of clothing and luggage.

◦       Disadvantages：Traditional Oxford cloth has less luster and softness compared to some fabrics. Some types of Oxford cloth are relatively stiff, resulting in less comfortable wearing. It is also more difficult to dye, and common colors are mostly light and dark shades. (Source: Global Textile Network)

•       Varieties

◦       Checked Oxford Cloth：Both the warp and weft threads use polyester FDY150D/36F and are interwoven on a water-jet loom using a plain weave structure. After processes such as relaxation, mercerization, dyeing, anti-static treatment, and coating, it has a light texture, soft hand feel, good waterproof performance, and high durability, and is specially used for making various types of luggage.

◦       Nylon Oxford Cloth：The warp uses 200D nylon air-textured yarn, and the weft uses 160D nylon air-textured yarn as raw materials. With a plain weave structure, after processes such as water-jet weaving, dyeing and finishing, and coating, it has a soft hand feel, strong drapability, novel style, and good waterproof performance, and is mainly used for making flood control and rain protection products.

◦       Full-elastic Oxford Cloth：Both the warp and weft threads use polyester DTY300D yarn. It is interwoven on a water-jet loom using a coarse-point variable openwork structure. After processes such as relaxation scouring, pre-setting, alkali deweighting, soft setting, and rubber-plastic finishing, it has a fine texture, soft luster, and good waterproof performance, and is mainly used for making luggage.

◦       Checked Oxford Cloth：The warp uses polyester DTY400D network yarn, and the weft uses polyester DTY400D yarn. It is interwoven on a water-jet loom with a checked texture. The front side has prominent check patterns and a strong three-dimensional effect. The back side is treated with a PU coating process, which gives it stronger waterproof performance and better drapability, making it a fashionable material for making various types of luggage.

•       Applications

◦       In the Clothing Field：It is commonly used to make casual wear, sportswear, jackets, windbreakers, shirts, pajamas, etc., especially suitable for outdoor functional clothing, providing both comfort and breathability as well as certain protection.

◦       In the Luggage Field：Oxford cloth is often selected for making suitcases, backpacks, briefcases, etc. Because of its durability, good waterproof performance, and ability to meet diverse styling requirements, it is convenient for carrying various items during travel.

◦       In the Home Furnishing Field：It can be used as home decorations such as curtains, tablecloths, sofa covers, cushions, and shower curtains. It is easy to clean and has a soft texture, adding a touch of elegance and comfort to the home environment.

◦       In the Outdoor Goods Field：Oxford cloth is widely used in outdoor products such as tents, sun umbrellas, backpacks, and picnic mats. Its waterproof, windproof, and abrasion-resistant properties effectively resist wind and rain, providing a comfortable outdoor experience.

◦       In the Industrial Field：Some high-strength Oxford cloth is applied in the industrial field, such as making safety protective clothing, tool bags, covering fabrics, etc., to protect the safety of workers and store tools and equipment.