• October 12, 2024
• jl156973238@gmail.com
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Oxford Fabric Technical Guide for Luggage & Bag Professionals

1. What is Oxford Fabric?  

Oxford fabric is a functional woven textile renowned for its durability, abrasion resistance, structural stability, and ease of maintenance. Its defining characteristic is its distinctive weave structure.

1. Core Weave Structure (Oxford Weave):

– Construction: Typically a variant of basket weave or panama weave.

– Yarn Configuration: Warp yarns use two or more fine plied threads, while weft yarns employ a single coarser thread.

– Effect: Creates a characteristic pebbled or checkerboard texture, resulting in a flat surface with visible interlacing points. The tight structure yields high toughness.

2. Origin: Named after Oxford University, where it gained popularity for student shirts in the 19th century.

1. Key Properties (Industry Focus)  
2. Durability & Abrasion Resistance: Superior resistance to scuffs, scratches, and wear; ideal for backpacks, suitcases, and travel gear.
3. Structural Stability: Minimal deformation or wrinkling; maintains shape rigidity.
4. Ease of Maintenance: Stain-resistant (especially post-treatment), easy to clean (wipe/wash).
5. Load-Bearing Capacity: High-density weaves (e.g., high denier) support heavy loads.
6. Water Resistance (Optional):

– Coatings: PVC (cost-effective, waterproof; stiff, less eco-friendly), PU (softer, eco-conscious, breathable), TPU/TPE (eco-friendly, flexible).

– Laminates: TPU film (high-end waterproof breathable membranes).

– Finishes: DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment for beading effect.

6. Cost-Effectiveness: More economical than nylon (e.g., Cordura®) or technical polyesters.
7. Color Fastness & Printability: Excellent dye affinity, vibrant colors, high color retention.

III. Primary Fiber Composition  

1. Polyester (PET): Industry dominant. High strength, abrasion resistance, low cost, and colorfastness.
2. Nylon (PA): Superior strength-to-weight ratio and softness; higher cost, lower UV resistance. Used for premium/outdoor bags.
3. Cotton: Rare in modern luggage due to poor abrasion resistance, wrinkling, and weight. Limited to vintage styles/lining.
4. Blends (e.g., Poly-cotton): Uncommon in functional luggage.

1. Key Specifications (Procurement Criteria)  
2. Denier (D):

– Indicates yarn thickness. Higher denier = thicker, heavier, more durable fabric.

– Common Ranges:

– Lightweight: 150D, 210D (sling bags, linings)

– General Use: 300D, 420D, 600D (backpacks, duffels, laptop cases)

– Heavy-Duty: 900D+, 1680D (suitcases, military/tool bags)

– Note: Denier typically references warp yarn (e.g., “600D Oxford”).

2. Ply Count (e.g., 2×2, 3×1):

– Denotes yarn twisting (e.g., 2×2 = 2-ply warp + 2-ply weft). Higher ply = greater thickness/durability.

3. Thread Count (Density):

– Threads per inch (TPI) or per 10cm (e.g., 190T). Higher density = tighter weave, better abrasion/water resistance.

4. Grammage (GSM/g/m²):

– Weight per square meter. Correlates with thickness/density (affected by coatings).

1. Finishing Processes  
2. Coatings:

– PVC: Budget luggage shells.

– PU: Industry standard (bags, suitcase lining).

– TPU/TPE: Premium eco-friendly options.

2. Laminates: TPU membranes (high-end waterproof breathable bags).
3. Calendering: Heat-pressing for smoothness/water resistance.
4. Printing: Pre/post-coating applications.
5. Flame-Retardant/UV-Resistant Finishes: Specialty requirements.

1. Luggage Applications  

– Backpacks: All segments (student, travel, outdoor).

– Suitcases:

– Hard-shell: 600D+ PVC/PU (abrasion-resistant exterior).

– Soft-shell: 420D-600D PU (main fabric).

– Lining: 210D-300D calendered/PU Oxford (ticketing).

– Duffels/Totes/Storage Bags: Water-resistant variants.

– Tool/Equipment Cases: 600D+ with PVC reinforcement.

The following are the products made by our company with Oxford cloth as the main material:

For more products, please visit our company’s homepage

VII. Pros & Cons Summary