Compression behavior evaluation of single down fiber and down fiber assemblies

Down fibers have superior thermal insulating properties as natural nonwoven and filler materials. Physical properties include single-fiber bending, down assembly bulkiness, compressibility and recoverability, which all affect down fibers' thermal insulation greatly. Research on the physical properties of down fibers has been very limited. In this paper, the physical property tests and analyses on both single down fibers and down fiber assemblies were carried out seriatim. The fiber bending properties were tested by an axial-buckling method, and the assembly compressibility and recoverability were tested by fiber assembly conductivity analyzer. The behavior mechanisms were explained by fiber structure and arrangement factors. Synchronously, the physical properties of down are evaluated and compared with other kinds of keratin fibers and wool.