Oxford fabric: description, advantages and disadvantages, application features

Oxford is a fairly popular kind of synthetic material, which is often used for sewing sports and casual clothes, as well as camping equipment. This canvas is characterized by a special way of weaving threads, which is called “matting”: the fabric visually represents convex squares that are staggered.

Gunny is a type of special twill weaving of fibers in which the warp and weft are woven in small groups, rather than one by one. As a result, a specific “checkerboard” texture is formed on the surface of the fabric. One of the existing legends says that peasants in Russia invented gunningwho wove this rough matter for a variety of household needs, using plant fibers called “cattail” as raw materials. Subsequently, it was replaced with a bast, but the name remained unchanged.

However, the official version is completely different - the fabric, which is the prototype of modern Oxford, was first obtained in the XIX century in Scotland. For what reason this canvas was named one of the most ancient British cities is unknown, but historians claim that, after several years, shirts from this canvas became common among students at Oxford University and to this day remain a symbol of the prestige of this elite educational institution.

A fundamentally new stage in the improvement of tissue was its processing with various chemical compounds the consequence of these additives are new properties:

• hygroscopicity;
• resistance to burning;
• chemical resistance.

And although the new type of matter is already in many ways different from its original counterpart, nevertheless, the first name “Oxford” has remained unchanged.

The unique technique of weaving fibers allows you to protect the fabric from moisture and contamination in the structure of the fabric itself, thanks to this, Oxford has many advantages in comparison with many other types of materials:

• the ability to repel dirt;
• moisture resistance and water repellent;
• wear resistance;
• increased strength;
• the ability to maintain their physical and technical characteristics at t from -50 to + 115 degrees;
• low abrasion of the canvas.

Depending on what kind of threads are used in the manufacture of the canvas, Three varieties of it are distinguished, with each having its own characteristic features.

• Cotton oxford - this material is made using cotton fibers, things made from it, they pass air very well, are hygienic and extremely practical. Usually, autumn-spring shirts are made from such fabric. It should be noted that in recent years, technology of weaving from natural fibers is used quite rarely.
• Nylon - quite dense and chemically resistant, but at the same time elastic material. It is characterized by sensitivity to light and high temperature effects, that is, the fabric does not withstand the effects of UV rays. In addition, this type of fabric has the ability to accumulate static electricity.
• Polyester - Compared to nylon, it is not so flexible and dense, but it far surpasses it in terms of light and heat resistance.

According to the version of weaving the canvas, two variations are distinguished.

• Royal oxford - in this case, rather thin threads are used, due to which the fabric becomes smooth, but at the same time very dense. In production, raw materials of the highest quality are consumed, this type of fabric is used for sewing expensive shirts in the business segment.
• Pinpoint - the production technology in this case is similar to the previous option, but the raw materials are more rough and cheaper. This material is used to make trousers and shirts. In addition, the fabric is often treated with special impregnations, due to which an air- and moisture-proof material is obtained, which is used for sewing windbreakers.

The color scheme of the material depends on the features of the use of fabric. In the classic version, the fabric has a blue hue, but these days it is often dyed in green, black and gray colors, camouflage, a little less often you can find oxford in white, red or yellow colors, sometimes they produce material with an original pattern (print). In the manufacture of such a fabric, fibers of various thicknesses are used, and the denser the thread, the more coarse, but at the same time, the fabric becomes dense. Density parameters range from 150D to 1800D (den).

The undoubted advantages of the material include following consumer properties:

• long period of socks;
• resistance to damage and wear;
• light weight of finished things;
• budget price;
• ease of care.

Separately, we should dwell on the water-repellent characteristics of the Oxford cloth. In order for the fabric to become hygroscopic, it is impregnated with special polymer compositions, as a rule, after that a rather thin film is formed on the surface, which makes the product air- and moisture-proof. Moreover, the degree of moisture resistance can be determined by marking the product:

• protection of 200-300 mm - the minimum level of protection, protects only from the wind, does not hold moisture;
• 300-500 mm - indicates that the product will completely get wet, only 60 minutes after being in the rain;
• 800 mm is an absolutely waterproof thing;
• 1000-3000 mm - the material used for warm jackets, ski suits, as well as tents, has exceptional protective properties.

The disadvantages of oxford are directly related to which thread was used to make it. So, if the basis is polyester fiber, then the main disadvantage is the slight flexibility in comparison with nylon variants. But nylon oxford is destroyed by sunlight, it begins to fade, and with prolonged contact simply loses its original color. The nylon fabric is sensitive to burning: under the influence of a flame, the edges of the fabric begin to melt, but do not crumble.

For both versions of the canvas, common flaws are characteristic, which should not be overlooked when purchasing such products:

• the material passes air very poorly, that is, in other words, it does not breathe;
• Under the influence of low temperatures, Oxford becomes very hard and makes a rustling sound when moving.

The scope of the Oxford matter directly depends on the degree of density of the canvas.

• 150 den - this is the thinnest material, it keeps its shape for a rather long time and drapes well, which is why raincoats and windcheaters, as well as thin overalls are often sewn from it. In addition, the canvas is used to make the upper layer of jackets, down jackets, bags and covers.
• 210 den - much stronger than the previous matter, it is optimal for sewing tourist tents, sleeping bags, uniforms for fishermen and hunters, as well as rescuers. Oxford of this variety is widely used to create workwear.
• 240 den - very dense matter, which is also used for the manufacture of tents, camping backpacks and tents. Such a fabric is usually impregnated with polyurethane; as a result, it acquires enhanced water-repellent characteristics.

• 300 den - This is a very tough and strong waterproof material, it is usually treated with polyvinyl chloride and bags, suitcases, covers, as well as elements of haberdashery and fishing accessories are sewed from it.
• 600 den - The fabric is popular in the manufacture of tent tents, jackets and other things intended for use in extreme weather conditions. Typically, this fabric is produced in a camouflage version.
• 1800 den - The most durable and dense form of oxford, it is used for sewing awnings.

When buying products from Oxford, you should first study the information about the features of caring for the canvas provided by the manufacturer, since certain types of fabric can be made with the addition of specific threads that need special care. The subtleties of washing and ironing the canvas depend on the main type of thread used for weaving.

• Cotton varieties of oxford are machine washable at t no higher than 40 degrees; any powder can be used.Such products can be smoothed with an iron with a heating of not more than 110 degrees, but it is better to dry them indoors, and away from heating appliances, since under the influence of ultraviolet the sheets change their color.

• Products made of nylon or polyester are washed in the same way, but they are ironed in different ways: canvases made of polyester fibers can be smoothed out, while any hot effect on nylon is completely prohibited. When washing, it is recommended to give preference to liquid detergents.
• If there is any contamination, it is enough to wipe the item with a damp cloth. If a gap occurs on the canvas, it should simply be sewn up or sealed.

In the next video, you will find a comparison of oxford fabrics of different densities.