Raw Materials
Coco Fiber
Coconut fiber, is a natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconut. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut.
Bassine Fiber
Borassus Flabellimormis or the sago palm grows in the East Indies as well in Sir Lanka. The process of threshing the dried palm leaves releases the leaf fibres. These are brownish color and characteristically the bassine is softer and more fragile than other piassavas. The Colombo bassine from Sir Lanka is a more rigid type of Bassine.
Arenga Fiber
Arenga fiber is harvested from Arenga Pinnata Palm in Indonesia. Arenga is softer and finer than Bahia Piassava. 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
A vegetable fiber derived from the Agave Lechuguilla, a plant which grows in northern Mexico. The natural color is creamy white, but it is often dyed other colors. Tampico has unique liquid holding and release properties-it will absorb 65% more water than plastic fillings. It has a unique surface roughness due to crystals of calcium oxalate embedded in the surface. There is really no plastic substitute for Tampico. The fiber is unsurpassed in most general sweeping applications, and in all applications requiring liquid retention, scrubbing and surface finishing.
African Bass
An extremely coarse vegetable fiber which is derived from a palm tree growing in West Africa. The reddish brown material is very durable and water resistant and can be used on any wet or dry concrete surface.
This fiber is a favorite of maintenance crews because of its light weight and excellent sweeping action.
Nylon Fiber
A super light, very resilient and durable synthetic fiber. It can be boiled and is impervious to solvents, alkalis and certain acids. This fiber has better water holding characteristics than other synthetics. Its special shape (x cross section) gives it excellent capillarity. That is, moisture moves up the tufts easily. When flagged, this fiber wears down to a natural point giving it a softness that resembles horse hair. (Do not use with mineral acids-these attack the nylon fibers.)
Polypropylene
A strong synthetic fiber that’s lighter in weight than other plastic materials. It is resistant to oil solvents and detergents; it will not load, curl, or mat. Great for sweeping stubborn dirt. Polypropylene will outlast ordinary fibers. Not for use with very hot solutions.
PVC and Styrene
Composed of plastic fibers having excellent water holding capacity. Styrene is a little lighter in weight than PVC. Both fibers are heavier in weight than Polypropylene. PVC and Styrene have excellent “flicking” action and are both heat resistant up to 190 degrees.
Horse Hair
The ultimate natural fiber. Produces scratchless, fine dry sweeping. It is used to finely smooth newly poured concrete, and is a perfect sweep for highly polished surfaces.