A seat cover acts as a protective layer that prevents the original upholstery of a vehicle’s seats from deterioration due to constant contact with dirt, food spillages and heat. It also enhances the interior look of a car. Available in a variety of designs, colors and materials, seat covers can be customized to reflect personal taste. They can be as luxurious as leather, sporty as neoprene or as comfortable as velour. They can also be decorated with the logos of popular sports teams or brands.
There are many factors that determine how long a seat cover lasts, including the material used, sewing quality and the way it is constructed. The most important factor is to ensure that the seams are sewn with strong, durable threads and fabrics. The quality of the seams must be evaluated in terms of their resistance to damage and wear, as well as their strength at the point of stitching (Fung & Hardcastle, 2000).
The foam layer to which the seat cover fabric is laminated is typically made of polyurethane, which can be modified with flame retardant additives to meet specific requirements. The abrasion resistance and soiling properties of the seat cover fabric are also important. Most automotive seat covers are produced as trilaminates consisting of a face fabric, foam layer and scrim backing. The face fabric is selected for its attractive appearance, lightfastness and abrasion resistance. The foam layer is usually made of polyurethane, which can also be modified with additives for specific properties such as flame retardancy and abrasion resistance.