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Oct 24,2025
General Brush Filament Characteristics
Synthetic brush filaments can be broadly categorized into two types: one is crimped, resembling waves, which we call crimped filaments; the other is straight and horizontal, which we call straight filaments. For brushes of the same specification, filling with roughly equal amounts of crimped and straight filaments yields different effects. Compared to straight filaments, crimped filaments create a denser bristle appearance. However, gaps between crimped filaments may allow debris retention. Straight filaments offer tighter packing and are more suitable for sealing and dustproofing applications. When selecting filaments, their length and diameter significantly influence overall stiffness.
Brush Bristle Color
Brush bristle color can be customized, though black, white, and natural are the most common options. Natural bristles contain no added colorants and appear somewhat white, but are actually lighter than pure white and may occasionally exhibit a light gray hue. If true white is required, we recommend selecting white rather than natural bristles.
Brush Bristle Materials
Brush fillers come in diverse varieties, broadly categorized into synthetic plastic filaments, animal hair, natural plant fibers, and metal wires. Different bristle materials serve distinct purposes and functions. The selection of bristles is determined by the brush's intended application. Below, we delve into the properties of brush filaments.
① Nylon Filaments
Polyamide, commonly known as nylon (Nylon), abbreviated as PA, has a density of 1.15 g/cm³. It is a general term for thermoplastic resins containing repeating amide groups—[NHCO]—in their main molecular chains.
Nylon is commonly classified into three grades: Nylon 6, Nylon 66, and Nylon 612.
They exhibit the following characteristics:
- High flexibility, excellent elastic memory, superior bend recovery, and outstanding workability;
- Exceptional chemical resistance, stain resistance, and wear resistance;
- Capable of operating at high temperatures and withstanding high-temperature sterilization;
- Low water absorption;
- No surface flaking.
Among these, nylon 612 represents a higher-quality nylon filament. It exhibits lower water absorption and superior recovery and wear resistance compared to nylon 66. Additionally, nylon 612 possesses anti-mold and antibacterial properties. Brush wheels and brush strips made from it are frequently used in food, medical, and electronics industries. Nylon also includes anti-static and flame-retardant variants.
Nylon bristles are widely adopted for their excellent elasticity and softness. Among these, PA610, PA6, and PA66 bristles offer outstanding abrasion resistance and resilience, coupled with high-temperature and acid/alkali resistance. They are highly suitable for industrial brush components in dust removal and cleaning applications, such as vacuum cleaner brush strips and road sweeper brush rollers. PA612 and PA1010 bristles offer superior resilience but come at a higher cost with slightly reduced wear resistance. Consequently, they are better suited for brush strips in industrial equipment requiring back-and-forth cleaning motions, as well as dust-proof brushes installed at the bottom of doors and windows.
② Abrasive Filament/Wear-Resistant Filament
Abrasive filaments are synthetic fibers made from nylon 6 or nylon 612 bristle material blended with silicon carbide (SiC) or aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) abrasive particles. Also known within the industry as abrasive filaments or grinding filaments, brushes manufactured from these possess exceptional wear resistance. Available in various wire diameters and mesh counts, they are commonly used for PCB surface treatment, galvanized sheet acid washing lines, metal processing, polishing, and deburring applications.
③ Polypropylene (PP Filament)
Polypropylene (abbreviated as PP) is a thermoplastic resin produced by the polymerization of propylene. A key characteristic of PP is its density, which is less than 1. When testing raw material composition, place several strands in water; if they float on the surface, it can be preliminarily identified as PP material. PP bristles exhibit an elliptical cross-section. Additionally, PP has poor elasticity and struggles to regain its original shape after repeated bending. It withstands temperatures up to 120°C (248°F), making it suitable for industrial dust removal and cleaning applications involving coarse components, such as dust collection in mining docks and sweeping brushes on sanitation vehicles.
④ Natural Plant Fibers
White palm fiber is a raw material processed from the stem and leaf fibers of the agave plant, primarily produced in Mexico, hence commonly referred to within the industry as “Mexican white palm.” White palm exhibits excellent resistance to acids and alkalis. Being a plant fiber, it possesses good water absorption. With a heat tolerance of approximately 140°C (286°F), it is suitable for manufacturing brushes used in detailed polishing and finishing of leather goods. Additionally, sisal is another natural material used for brush production. Its properties are similar to white palm, and it is also commonly processed into polishing brushes, with the finished product colloquially known as “sisal strips.”
Hessian bristles possess excellent toughness, high-temperature resistance, and oil absorption properties. They are commonly used in pot scrubbers or for high-temperature, degreasing applications.
⑤ Horsehair
Horsehair offers a softness between hog bristle and wool, with tail hair being slightly stiffer than bristle. It boasts excellent resilience and wear resistance but is vulnerable to acids and alkalis. Brushes made from horsehair are widely used in polishing, cleaning, dusting, and related industries. Brushes crafted from horsehair can withstand temperatures up to approximately 190°C (370°F). Softer than hog bristles, horsehair effectively removes surface dust. It is commonly used in premium household cleaning products or for industrial dust removal applications.
⑥ Hog Bristle
Hog bristles commonly appear in brown (white) or black. They offer exceptional durability and water resistance, along with anti-static properties and tolerance to high temperatures and acids/alkalis. Hog bristles are frequently used in bath brushes or for polishing valuable items such as goldware, gemstones, and piano surfaces. They are also suitable for polishing and grinding hard alloys.
⑦ Wool
Wool is relatively soft but slightly lacking in elasticity. When made into wool brushes, it leaves no brush marks when applying coatings and offers excellent polishing and cleaning properties. It is non-conductive.
⑧ Metal Wire
Metal brush wire is also known as corrugated wire, cut wire, straightened wire, etc. Common materials include stainless steel wire, copper wire, steel wire, galvanized steel wire, copper-plated steel wire, and copper-clad aluminum wire. Metal wire processing methods fall into two categories: corrugated wire (creating corrugations in the wire before cutting) and cut wire (straightening the wire before cutting). Metal wire is typically used for deburring metal surfaces and offers excellent wear resistance.
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CEO: Alan
Email: alan@virostech.com
Phone: +86-15215693689
Sales Manager: Edith
Email: Edith@virostech.com
Phone: +86-15215693689
Lianxin Brush Industry
CEO : Alan
Sales Manager: Edith
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