Chlorofibre is the material for clothing that produces negative ions. It has been around since the 1950s first in France and later in Japan. The uniqueness of the material is its ability to generate Tribo Electric Statics with ease and that in turn produces an abundance of Negative Ions.
Record of this special fibre in providing Rheumatic reliefs and regulate neuralgic disorders sustained its 'mystical' popularity since the '50s. With better understanding of the impact of negative ions on human health and moods, the adoption of this fabric is now gaining momentum.
Just what is Chlorofibre?
The answer may surprise you. It is none other than the ubiquitous Polyvinyl Chloride or better known as PVC. However, it is nothing like the PVC we found in household products like water pipe, wire and cable insulation or garden hose. No information can be found regarding its degree of polymerization which partly determine the strength and rigidity of the final product.
Chlorofibre is likely to be PVC of low degree of polymerization which accounts for its softness without the need for plasticizer. Like most synthetic polymers, it is likely to be protected against oxidative degradation with antioxidant. The extrusion and spinning process is unique and specialized to the extent that there are only two producers of this material.
Chlorofibre is not a contender as a generic fabric yarn, this honor has gone to polyester with Chlorofibre straggling far behind. Strangely, the weakness of chlorofibre is also its strength. As a chlorinated polymer, it is naturally fire retarding and found uses where this property is called for. A 'drawback' is that it generates static electricity easily. This however turned out to be its greatest strength; it is the only fibre that can generate negative ions and in such abundance that those known the art believe is necessary to produce curative effects.
That Chlorofibre is able to generate negative ions is well known. Negative ions can be detected and its concentration in air measured with test meters available in popularly priced versions.
Verifying the benefits and cure however is much more elusive, but with a strong testimonies and historic continuity in providing reliefs to rheumatic patients and with its more ubiquitous use presently, many more are benefiting purportedly from the negative ions generated by the fabric.
Another redeeming quality for Chlorofibre is that the fabric is surprisingly soft and comfortable. As a good insulator, it has the property of keeping out the cold which has traditionally relied on air (and perspiration) trapped in the air pockets of wool and other thick fabrics.
The science of Chlorofibre is the science of the material which is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). It is low in the tribo electricity series which means that it more readily produce negative charges when rubbed. It is flame retarding, which is a characteristic of material containing halogen (chlorine). It is a good insulator and it most certainly a good generator of negative ions.
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