Whether you’re looking for a luxurious leather seat cover or a sporty neoprene seat cover, there are many options to choose from. Choosing the right fabric is important for your comfort, protection and visual appeal. The best choice will have the right fusion of these features and meet your specific requirements. For example, neoprene offers water resistance and velour provides supreme comfort while polyester is a budget-friendly option with good resistance to UV light and moisture.
The mechanical durability of a seat cover depends on several factors, including fabric tear strength, tensile strength and abrasion resistance. These attributes can be controlled by appropriate selection of fiber type, yarn structure, fabric construction and finishing.
In addition to these mechanical properties, the fabric must also have good breathability and odor control characteristics for passenger comfort. This is especially important for fabric covers that may be used with kids or pets in the vehicle.
Most automotive seat covers are made of a trilaminate consisting of a face fabric, foam layer and scrim backing (Fung & Hardcastle, 2000). The face fabric must have an attractive appearance that will last, while the foam layer provides a cushioning feel and insulating properties. The scrim backing fabric helps to retain shape, abrasion resistance and breathability.
During use, the seat cover shape changes due to varying loads, with most noticeable deformations in the seam areas. It is essential for the materials to be durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of frequent loadings, particularly in the high-stress seam areas. For this reason, abrasion resistant fabrics are preferred.