The cloth is intended for use in the fusible type clothing for the Department of Defense. Fused end item properties are dependent upon selection of fusible substrate type, fiber content, adhesive class, fusing press conditions, and end item care-label instructions. All these variables must be considered to assure proper end item performance.

a. Woven substrates offer excellent strength and stability with type I providing a relatively thin and stiff composite. Type II provides more bias-stretch and loft.

b. Knit substrates offer stretch, type III provides softness and drape, and type IV, being a self-lining, offers minimum stiffness.

c. Non-wovens generally offer lower strength compared to other types; but can provide excellent softness, drape, and hand with lowest possible weight and bulk. The type VIII comes with either aperture holes or non-apertured or solid flannel.

d. Open net-web type IX has no substrate carrier and serves as a two-sided fusible to bond dissimilar fabrics. Increased web weight increases bonded stiffness. Also, specify polyamide web for dry cleanable end item use and polyester for launderable use.

a. Class 1, polyamide - Chemists term for nylon 6, 6,6, 11, 12 or blends thereof. Excellent dry cleaning/good laundering resistance, strong bond without excessive heat or pressure. Adhesive is regenerative in nature.

b. Class 2, polyester - Excellent laundering/good dry cleaning resistance. Adhesive has higher melt viscosity than polyamide, thus possess less show through.

c. Class 3, polyethylene - High density type possess excellent laundering/fair dry cleaning resistance. May require slightly higher fusing press temperature to activate and is relatively stiff when fused.

d. Class 4, polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl acetate (PVC/PVA) - Excellent laundering/good dry cleaning resistance. Uses higher fusing press temperature to activate and provides excellent bond on water-repellent treated outershell materials. PVA is blended to the PVC to provide good flexibility and resiliency.

*e. Class 5, polyvinyl acetate co-polymer - Absolutely no laundering resistance offered. Used only as a fabrication aide interlining essentially for folding, shaping, and stitching shirt collars together.