Thinsulate

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Brand of thermal insulation used in clothing

title: "Thinsulate" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["synthetic-fibers", "3m-brands", "products-introduced-in-1979", "insulators"] description: "Brand of thermal insulation used in clothing" topic_path: "general/synthetic-fibers" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinsulate" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Brand of thermal insulation used in clothing ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox brand"]

FieldValue
nameThinsulate
logo
imageFaucet Covers for Winter 3M Thinsulate Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks Large - Set of 2 (9 x 7.9 ) (49114182431).jpg
captionOutdoor faucet cover socks made from Thinsulate
producttypeSynthetic fiber
currentowner3M
producedby3M
countryUSA
introduced1979
::

| name = Thinsulate | logo = | logo_upright = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = Faucet Covers for Winter 3M Thinsulate Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks Large - Set of 2 (9 x 7.9 ) (49114182431).jpg | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Outdoor faucet cover socks made from Thinsulate | producttype = Synthetic fiber | currentowner = 3M | producedby = 3M | country = USA | introduced = 1979 | discontinued = | related = | markets = | previousowners = | trademarkregistrations = | ambassadors = | tagline = | website = | footnotes = | embed = Thinsulate is a brand of synthetic fiber thermal insulation used in winter clothing. The word is a portmanteau of the words thin and insulate, and is trademarked by 3M. The material is made by the 3M Corporation and was first sold in 1979. It was originally marketed as an inexpensive alternative to down; at the time, 3M claimed it was twice as warm as an equivalent amount of any natural material.

Originally designed for clothing, it later became popular as an acoustic damping material. In 1997, 3M generated US$150 million in annual revenue from the product. Its development originated from other microfibre products made by 3M. It has been used in US army clothing since the mid 1980s.

Description

Thinsulate fibers are about 15 µm in diameter, which is thinner than the polyester fibers normally used in insulation for clothing such as gloves or winter jackets. Advertising material suggests that Thinsulate is more effective due to the increased density of fibers with decreased size of fibers compared with more traditional insulation. Like most insulation materials, the gaps between fibers not only reduce heat flow, but also allow moisture to escape. It retains its insulating properties when wet.

The thermal resistance R-value provided by Thinsulate products varies by the specific thickness and construction of the fabric. Values (US units) range from 1.6 for 80-gram fabric to 2.9 for 200-gram fabric. Thinsulate is considered "the warmest thin apparel insulation" available. In fact, when equal thicknesses are compared, it provides about 1½ times the warmth of down and about twice the warmth of other high-loft insulation materials.

Material safety data sheets from the manufacturer show that different varieties of Thinsulate are made from different mixtures of polymers, but most are primarily polyethylene terephthalate or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. Other materials in some include polyethylene terephthalate-polyethylene isophthalate copolymer and acrylic.

Thinsulate is now used in the fabric roof of the convertible automobile, the Porsche Boxster. The extra layer not only reduces heat loss but has also reduced noise levels inside the car by 3 decibels. It is also used in the roof of the Jaguar F-Type sports car. It features in the upholstery of Saturn sedans, Ford F-150 pickups, Buick Park Avenues, and F-16 fighters.

It is used in a wide variety of clothing products, such as footwear, gloves, hats, and coats. It became popular in outerwear jackets as early as 1985. The fibers are thinner in diameter than polyester fibres, so the material is used as a waterproof synthetic alternative to down.

In 2015 Thinsulate was named a recipient of an ISPO Award as a Top 10 Insulation.

References

References

  1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180914060704/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P4-1914960773.html "Uspto Issues Trademark: Thinsulate."] US Fed News Service, Including US State News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 2017. HighBeam Research. 13 Sep. 2018
  2. "How 3M Heats Up with Thinsulate".
  3. (January 1979). "Popular Science Magazine". Bonnier Corporation.
  4. (October 1979). "Backpacker Magazine". Active Interest Media, Inc..
  5. Fiedler, Terry. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022206/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62606944.html "The quiet Thinsulate; 3M again capitalizes on both name, performance with brand extensions.(BUSINESS)."] Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN). The Star Tribune Company. 1997. HighBeam Research. 13 Sep. 2018 https://www.highbeam.com.
  6. (1982). "Technology; Catching Up With Down".
  7. "THE ARMY MAY HAVE MATCHED THE GOOSE".
  8. Phil Gibson and Calvin Lee; Application Of Nanofiber Technology To Nonwoven Thermal Insulation, 01 NOV 2006, U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5020.
  9. "What Is Thinsulate insulation?". 3M.
  10. (1 May 2003). "Uniform Fabric: Care and Cleaning". Law & Order.
  11. (1997). "The Camping Sourcebook: Your One-stop Resource for Everything You Need for Great Camping". Globe Pequot Press.
  12. "Thinsulate Insulation". [[3M]].
  13. "Insulation properties of Thinsulate from 3M". Rockywoods Fabrics, LLC.
  14. Calvi, Lisa. (20 June 2012). "Lisa spends 90 minutes with "engrossing" Porsche Boxter S". [[The Chronicle Herald]].
  15. (24 August 2018). "A sensational drive with the Jaguar F-Type". Hull Daily Mail.
  16. "Beyond Wool And Down".
  17. (1990). "Apparel International: The Journal of the Clothing and Footwear Institute". The Institute.
  18. Lebow, Joan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022824/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-4138923.html "Wool spurs rebound in coat action."] WWD. Conde Nast Publications, Inc. 1986. HighBeam Research. 13 Sep. 2018 https://www.highbeam.com. (According to a spokesman for 3M Co., which produces Thinsulate, more than 30 fashion coat companies are using Thinsulate linings in their garments this year, 22 more than last year. Among the manufacturers testing the Thinsulate are several designer-price lines including Anne Klein Coats, George Simonton, Ilie Wacs and Nipon Coature. ... At Anne Klein Coats, Marty Blank, president, said the firm will use Thinsulate in 20 to 40 percent of its line, and particularly with lighter-weight fabrics.)
  19. (26 August 2018). "All of the high-tech materials that make modern outdoor gear great". Design Technica/Digital Trends.
  20. "3M featherless 'down' honored – Advanced Textiles Source".
  21. "Quality Fabric Of The Month: Warmth & Loft Without Feathers {{!}} Textile World".

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synthetic-fibers3m-brandsproducts-introduced-in-1979insulators