Matting Glossary of Terms

Alkalis:

Basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are best known for being bases that dissolve in water.

Anti-Fatigue Properties:

The cushioning qualities found in NoTrax® matting that alleviates foot and lower back pressure, while stimulating blood circulation that helps to reduce stress on the lower back, leg joints and major muscle groups.

Anti-Microbial Mats:

The mat is produced with an anti-microbial agent which prevents/inhibits the growth of microorganisms on the mat surface and is tested to work under extreme conditions to withstand a multitude of bacteria and fungi. The anti-microbial agent in this product inhibits organism growth on the matting. This product does not impart anti-microbial activity to surfaces that it may come in contact with.

Anti-Static/Conductive:

Ranges from 103-106 ohms per square. Prevents build-up of static by removing static charge quickly. This matting should not be used in volatile or explosive environments and must be properly grounded at regular intervals.

Anti-Static/Static Dissipative:

Ranges from 106-1010 ohms per square. Quickly removes a static charge without creating a spark. Grounding cords are required for optimal performance.

Bitumen Backing:

Bitumen is a mixture of organic liquids that are highly viscous, black, sticky, entirely soluble in carbon disulfide, and composed primarily of highly condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Suitable for carpet tile backing.

Chemical Resistance:

The degree to which NoTrax® industrial matting products can withstand the erosive qualities of chemicals, oils, and greases found in applicable environments.

Compression:

The relationship between pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), and compression of a mat. A compression deflection of 7 PSI simulates the average weight of a worker - results are translated into inches. A higher number signifies greater softness or deflection. Test method ASTM 1667.

Custom Cuts:

Specially cut mats usually cut to lengths, but some mats can be custom-cut both length and width to fit defined areas.

Decalon®:

This NoTrax® exclusive fiber is made with a much higher denier polypropylene yarn. Products that are manufactured with Decalon® offer superb wear resistance, exceptional moisture retention and crisp, clean pattern appearance in coordinating colors.

Denier / Fiber:

Denier is a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers. It is defined as the mass in grams per 9,000 meters. Fiber is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread.

Durometer:

A measure of the softness/hardness of a mat's surface material. We use Shore "00" scale on foam mats and Shore "A" scale on solid materials. The higher the number, the firmer the surface of the mat.

Dyna-Shield®:

A revolutionary process perfected by Superior Manufacturing Group that creates a tough protective barrier on the surface of select foam anti-fatigue matting products. Dyna-Shield® mats have greater tensile strength, and are more resistant to wear than traditional sponge matting.

Exclusive Fusion Technology (EFT):

A proprietary Crown process that permanently fuses foam backing to solid-top surfaces without the use of hazardous adhesives, eliminating the problem of the surfaces separating. Mats with this process are guaranteed for three years against delamination.

Grit Safe:

A hard sharp granule material that provides extra traction.

GSII:

A technology that is incorporated into select NoTrax® industrial floor matting products allowing them to excel in the harshest industrial environments where aggressive chemicals, oils and greases are commonly found, and often times where traditional matting fails.

Heavy-Duty Needle Punch (HDNP):

Mechanical process involving thousands of needles that orient and interlock fibers to create non-woven fabric. Fabric is able or designed to withstand unusual strain.

Napping:

In the finishing process of manufacturing textiles, after the cloth is woven, it goes through processes such as washing, fulling, raising the nap, and trimming the nap. After the nap is trimmed, the fabric is considered finished. The raising process, which draws out the ends of the fibres, is done on both woollen and cotton fabric. Cotton cloth goes straight to the shearing process, where the nap gets trimmed to ensure that all the raised fibres are the same length. (Source Wikipedia)

Needlepunch:

A traditional manufacturing process for carpet matting, needlepunch is engineered with a unique blend of four denier thicknesses of yarn ranging from very fine to very thick. Needlepunch products are typically more durable, offering better crush resistance and wearability due to the density of the yarn used in the process.

Nitrile:

Added to rubber or plastic compositions, nitrile reduces the absorption of oils into standard rubber, which causes matting to swell and become slippery. For oily areas, use a mat blended with nitrile.

Non-Conductive:

Non-conductive matting protects workers from electrical shock when operating high-voltage equipment. All of our switchboard matting has nonconductive properties.

Nylon:

A designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides. Nylon is one of the most commonly used polymers.

Overlock:

An overlock stitch sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming. Usually an overlock sewing machine will cut the edges of the cloth as they are fed through (such machines are called ‘sergers’), though some are made without cutters. The inclusion of automated cutters allows overlock machines to create finished seams easily and quickly. (Source Wikipedia)

PET Fibers:

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers are produced from recycled plastic bottles, nicknamed "pop bottle carpet". Naturally stain resistant and do not require the chemical treatments used on most nylon carpets. Retains color and resists fading due to sun or harsh cleaning. Color shades can be richer and brighter than those found in nylon yarns.

Pocking:

Residual dents or bumps resulting from improper rolling of adhesive along the seam of a carpet

Polyethylene:

Created from a thermoplastic substance that is a synthetic polymer of propylene, this fiber is an excellent material for scraper matting due to its resiliency and hydrophobic properties (ability to repel water).

Polypropylene/Olefin:

Yarn extruded from polypropylene pellets into very fine filaments that are entangled to make mat yarn. Colors are added to melted polypropylene before extrusion. The most common yarn used in entrance matting.

PVC Compounds:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a plastic compound used to manufacture a variety of end products. PVC is known for its durability, moisture resistance, versatility and its ability to withstand harsh environments.

Resilience:

A key factor in defining anti-fatigue matting. A mat's resilience, or "bounce," is what aids in the removal of lactic acid from the muscles, reducing fatigue. The higher the number, the more resilient the matting. A resilience of 25+ provides a significant increase in worker comfort.

Resistivity:

A measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. A low resistivity indicates a material that readily allows the movement of electrical charge. The SI unit of electrical resistivity is the ohm meter.

Ribbon Polypropylene:

This ribbon yarn is extruded from coarse polypropylene pellets.

Saxony/Saxonies:

A fine high-grade 3-ply wool fabric originally made from the wool of sheep raised in Saxony used for knitting and weaving. The fine soft woolen fabric is similar in weave to tweed and usually characterized as a woven carpet having a cut pile of dense erect tufts.

Scraper Mat:

A mat for outdoor or indoor use that aggressively scrapes dirt, debris and snow from shoes and traps it beneath the mat's surface. Not recommended for removing dust or moisture from shoes.

Serge:

A type of twill fabric that has diagonal lines or ridges on both sides, made with a two-up, two-down weave. The worsted variety is used in making military uniforms, suits, great coats and trench coats. Its counterpart, silk serge, is used for linings. French serge is a softer, finer variety. The word is also used for a high quality woolen woven. (Source Wikipedia)

Sisal:

An agave that yields a stiff fiber traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. (Source Wikipedia)

Solution-Dyed:

A method of dyeing synthetic fiber in which pigment is added to the nylon or polypropylene chip before it is extruded as filament yarn.

Swarf

Fine metal filings or shavings usually created from work done in a maintenance shop. If your maintenance shop opens into a production area, consider a swarf mat or other method to make certain that the metal filings do not enter a production area.

Tabor Abrasion:

A measure of wear resistance. Measures weight loss (in grams) resulting from 1,000 or 2,000 revolutions of a Tabor abrasion wheel over the surface of the mat. The best way to determine a mat's life expectancy.

Tufted:

A manufacturing process used for carpet matting, tufted products are sewn into a backing after using a finer yarn. Tufted mats generally are less dense and offer better moisture retention. Tufted products also have more flexibility with colors and patterns providing a more aesthetic finished product.

Twill:

Twill is a type of fabric woven with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. (Source Wikipedia)

Wear-Bonded:

Our newest innovation in vinyl anti-fatigue matting. This proprietary process manufactures a durable, high-density top surface foam and a lower density, softer base foam simultaneously. The result is a single, permanently bonded product with an excellent balance of wear and comfort.

UniFusion™:

A revolutionary bonding process that uses heat and pressure to fuse a floor matting top surface to a base material. The end result is a finished product that is virtually a single piece, thereby eliminating the possibility of de-lamination.

Wear-Bond / Wear-Bonded:

Crown Mats newest innovation in vinyl anti-fatigue matting. This proprietary process manufactures a durable, high-density top surface foam and a lower-density, softer base foam simultaneously. The result is a single, permanently bonded product with an excellent balance of wear and comfort.

Wiper Mat:

Best way to remove dust and moisture from shoes. Should be used in combination with a wiper/scraper and scraper, because otherwise dirt and debris can collect on top of the mat. Not recommended for heavy dirt or debris or for high moisture areas.

Wiper/Scraper Mat:

Designed to clean shoes and absorb moisture. Works best when used following a scraper mat or in conjunction with a wiper mat. When used alone, wiper/scraper mats need to be longer to clean shoes effectively.

Zedlan:

A revolutionary ergonomic foam developed by Crown for increased resilience and wear. Zedlan is a specially patented foam offering comfort, durability and high performance (patent #5,965,650).

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