Polishing and buffing pad

Abstract

A buffing and polishing pad or other structure uses extremely fine microfibers of less than 1 denier. Preferred fibers are less than 0.7 denier, and in some cases considerably less. The currently most preferred embodiment is 50% fiber having 0.5 denier and 50% fiber having 0.3 denier. Preferred fibers have an average fiber length of between about 70 and about 90 mm, and most preferably about 80 mm. The fibers can be any suitable material, natural or synthetic, including especially polyester. The fibers are preferably made on a circular knitting machine.

1 . A buffing pad, comprising a non-woven buffing layer having crimped fibers with an average fiber thickness of less than 1 denier.  
   
   
       2 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers have an average fiber length of at least 50 mm.  
   
   
       3 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers have an average fiber length of between about 70 and about 90 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.7 denier, and at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.5 denier.  
   
   
       5 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.6 denier, and at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.4 denier.  
   
   
       6 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 80% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of between 0.2 denier and 0.6 denier.  
   
   
       7 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein about 50% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of 0.5 denier, and about 50% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of about 0.3 denier.  
   
   
       8 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the fibers comprise polyester.  
   
   
       9 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the fibers comprise polyester.  
   
   
       10 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers have an average fiber length of between about 70 and about 90 mm, at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.7 denier, and at least 25% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of less than 0.5 denier.  
   
   
       11 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers have an average fiber length of between about 70 and about 90 mm, and at least 80% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of between 0.2 denier and 0.6 denier.  
   
   
       12  The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers have an average fiber length of about 80 mm, about 50% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of 0.5 denier, and about 50% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of about 0.3 denier.  
   
   
       13 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the fibers comprise polyester.  
   
   
       14 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the fibers comprise polyester.  
   
   
       15 . The buffing pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the fibers are man-made, have an average fiber length of between about 70 and about 90 mm, and at least 80% of the fibers have a fiber thickness of between 0.2 denier and 0.6 denier.  
   
   
       16 . The buffing pad of  claim 15 , further comprising an attachment layer coupled to the buffing layer on one side, and a hook and loop type of fastening surface on an opposite side.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing the buffing pad of  claim 1 , comprising making the fibers are made on a circular knitting machine.