Mat

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This article is about a piece of fabric. For other uses, see Mat (disambiguation).

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A doormat inscribed with a message

A mat is a piece of fabric material that generally is placed on a floor or other flat surface. Mats serve
a range of purposes including:

 serving to clean items passed over it, such as a doormat, which removes dirt from the soles
of shoes
 protecting that which is above the mat, such as a wrestling or gymnastics mat, or an anti-
vibration mat
 protecting that which is beneath the mat, such as a place mat or the matting used in archival
framing and preservation of documents and paintings
 providing a regular or flat surface, such as a cushioned computer mousepad

Contents

 1Types
o 1.1In domestic settings
o 1.2Car mats
o 1.3Anti-fatigue mats
o 1.4Cleanroom mats
o 1.5Others
 2History
 3Promoting safety and health
 4See also
 5References
 6External links

Types[edit]
Flat mat with a painting of a Parisstreet

In domestic settings[edit]

 A doormat or door-mat[1] is a flat, usually rectangular, object placed immediately outside or

inside the entrance to a house or other building, to allow people to easily scrub or wipe the soles
of their shoes before entering. Doormats are usually made from tough, long-lasting material
such as coir, palmyra (palm) fibres and stalks, nylon, rubber, cloth, or aluminium and other
metals. A doormat may also be known as a welcome mat, as its location at an entrance
constitutes a "welcome" to visitors, and may therefore also bear some word, message or sign
of greeting. This in turn has given rise to a subculture of cartoons featuring characters returning
home to find (to the reader) a humorous message on the doormat. The lowly purpose for which
doormats exist has also led to informal use of the term as a reference to people who behave
timidly or passively when exploited by others [citation needed] (see also Caspar Milquetoast).
 A cabinet mat is a mat made of rubber that protects kitchen cabinets, more particularly
kitchen sink base cabinets, from leaks, water damage, mold and household item spills that
commonly occur in the kitchen sink cabinet.
 A bath mat is a device used on the floor of a bathroom to provide a warm non-slip surface,
and to absorb small amounts of water, much like a towel.
 A place mat or serving mat is a flat piece of fabric or other type of material used on a table at
the points at which dishes and plates will be located during a meal. One of the common
purposes of such mats is to provide a thermal and physical barrier between that which is placed
on the table, and the table itself—for instance, to stop hot objects from marring the table's finish.
Car mats[edit]
Main article: Vehicle mat
A car mat is designed to help protect a vehicle's carpeted floors. One major use of a car mat is to
keep mud, sand and snow from contacting the carpeted floors. Some require fixation points to
ensure they remain fixed in position.
Carpet mats and rubber mats differ in a number of ways. Carpet mats are generally tufted and have
a rubberised anti-slip backing. On the other hand, rubber car mats are heavy duty and higher
durability. While some car mats are the plain colour of rubber, many contain branded company
logos, cartoon characters or advertisements. Some are in textile form of carpet material. They can
also come in a wide range of colours. The terms universal and custom fit mats differentiate between
floor mats that will fit a multitude of different cars and those that are specifically designed to fit only
one chassis.
Anti-fatigue mats[edit]
"Anti-fatigue mats" are designed to help a person who is working in a standing position for prolonged
periods of time. Most anti-fatigue matting is a combination of an ergonomic pattern and a cushioning
underlay. The cushioning causes constant subconscious balance checks and micro movements that
stimulate blood flow through the legs and lower extremities. This results in better circulation and less
fatigue. The cushioning underlay insulates the feet from the hard surface, cold floors, vibrations,
moisture and sound.[2] Their unique design encourages the user to make continual micro-
movements[3] which provides a wealth of health benefits, such as minimizing back pain, foot pain,
weariness, stress, etc. Anti-fatigue mats are one of the approaches to prevent injuries, caused by
working in a standing position. In a study at the Center of Ergonomics at the University of Michigan
in 1987, ergonomist Mark Redfern concluded that different standing surfaces can have dramatic
effects on physical fatigue. Workers who stood on anti-fatigue mats were able to reduce the level of
fatigue and discomfort by as much as 50%.[4] This type of mat is recommended by Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. The range of common materials for manufacturing anti-fatigue
mats includes vinyl, wood, PVC tubing, rubber, PVC closed cell foam, polypropylene, nitrile rubber.
Anti-fatigue mats were initially used in factories and production lines where staff has to stand for the
majority of their working shifts.
Anti-fatigue mats come in various types and materials for industrial or commercial applications for a
variety of workplace conditions that exist as well as the variety of workplace designs from individual
work benches, to large assembly lines or complex manufacturing work stations. Work place
environments can vary from dry areas to wet or extremely oily areas. Plus specialized industries may
need additional properties such as fire retardant matting for welding, static dissipative matting for
electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, anti-microbial for food industry applications. [2]
Today, this type of ergonomic mat is commonly used during trade shows for floor covering, in
hospitals and clinics during surgeries to cover the floor near surgical tables to minimize surgeons
fatigue resulted from continuous standing. Also these mats are used in housekeeping, especially for
kitchen floors to alleviate fatigue during cooking.
Cleanroom mats[edit]
Main article: Sticky mat
The purpose of a clean room mat is to keep sterile the areas that require ultimate protection from
dirt, bacteria and any contamination brought from outside. Clean room mats are tacky, sticky, non
slip mats that possess multiple layers of clean film that effectively capture dirt and dust from foot
traffic and wheels. Peel-off mats are made up of multiple sheets of polyethylene film coated with
acrylic adhesive that traps particles. Each layer peels off to reveal a new clean surface. The
adhesive backing prevents microbial growth and contamination. Mats used outside clean rooms and
laboratories are designed to withhold foreign pollution elements. This goal is achieved by a sticky
surface that serves as a barrier for debris, dirt and dust adhered to shoe soles. Clean room sticky
mats can contain two defensive barriers: the first part is a carpet itself, while the second part is sticky
surface mat. Another mat type to be used to protect rooms from pollution is sanitizing foot bath floor
mats. The mat itself is a small bath that contains sanitizing liquid. The foot bath bottom is covered
with pliable rubber scrapers for effective cleaning of footwear soles while the liquid disinfects them.
An alternative clean room mat is one made from polymeric material. Polymeric products are made
from a blend of pure polymeric compounds and have a three- to five-year life cycle. When a
polymeric surface becomes dirty, operators can clean it with a sponge and a mop with detergent and
dry the surface with a squeegee. This quick cleaning process can be incorporated into the facility’s
regular wet-clean cycle.[5]
The mats differ by composition:

 One-piece mats are usually used on the permanent basis. One-piece mats can be
handcrafted or factory-made. The standard shapes of one-piece mat are rectangular, square,
round and elliptic. One-piece mats are produced in the huge variety of sizes and colors. Real
and synthetic materials are used for one-piece mats production.
 Linear length mats are manufactured as rolls that can extend 20 meters up to 40 meters for
long production lines, assembly lines and packing lines. Mats are manufactured in standard
lengths or factory-made to custom sizes.
 Modular mats, also well known as interlocking tiles or interlocking floor mats, are
manufactured using the “jigsaw puzzle” structure. Unlike one-piece mats, modular mats consist
of numerous elements that are easily and seamlessly assembled. Compared to other types of
mats, interlocking mats come in several sizes, depending on the number of pieces in one kit.
Modular mats are a good solution for non-rectangular areas where standard shape mats are
useless. Interlocking mats are commonly used on a one-time or temporary basis: fitness centres
and sport competitions, trade shows and conferences. Modular mats require less place for
storage and can be easily transported.
Others[edit]

 an anti-vibration mat, which performs the function of isolating vibration between that which is
above the mat and that which is below. Such a mat might typically be used when mounting a
heavy machine which vibrates, onto a concrete floor; in the absence of the anti-vibration mat,
the machine tend to erode the floor through abrasion. Contrawise, some machines, such as
the lithography machines used in chip fabs, need to be isolated from vibrations in their locale,
and so are mounted on anti-vibration mats.
 a slipmat, a circular piece of slippery cloth or synthetic material designed to allow disc
jockeys to turn or stop vinyl records on record players, or to scratch.
 a bar mat (not beermat), a rectangular piece of rubber or towelling material that is used to
protect the counter top and/or soak up spilt drinks in a bar or pub.
 an entrance mat, which performs the function of trapping and retaining dust and soil at the
entrances. It will also trap moisture to prevent slip and fall accidents. The purpose is having
better indoor environment and better air quality. It should be easier to clean the entrance mat
than all the interiors.

History[edit]
This section is largely based on an article in the out-of-
copyright Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, which was produced in
1911. It should be brought up to date to reflect subsequent history or
scholarship (including the references, if any). When you have completed the
review, replace this notice with a simple note on this article's talk
page. (January 2011)

The mats made from Cyperus pangorei  (Korai grass in Tamil) are called "Korai paai" in Tamil and can be found
widely in the households of Tamil Nadu, usually in the size 6 feet by 3 feet.

Matting or floor covering or rugs is any of many coarse woven or plaited fibrous materials used for

covering floors or furniture, for hanging as screens, for wrapping up heavy merchandise and for
other miscellaneous purposes. In the United Kingdom, under the name of "coir" matting, a large
amount of a coarse kind of carpet is made from coconut fibre; and the same material, as well as
strips of cane, manila hemp, various grasses and rushes, is largely employed in various forms for
making doormats. Large quantities of the coconut fibre are woven in heavy looms, then cut up into
various sizes, and finally bound round the edges by a kind of rope made from the same material.
The mats may be of one colour only, or they may be made of different colours and in different
designs. Sometimes the names of institutions are introduced into the mats. [6] Due to the silky nature
and tensile strength, jute mats or mattings have started being used as floor covering or doormats,
runners and in different forms. Jute floor coverings consist of woven and tufted and piled carpets.
Jute Mats and mattings starting from 1 m width to 6 m width and of continuous length are easily
being woven in Southern parts of India, in solid and fancy shades, and in different weaves such as
boucle, Panama and herringbone. Jute mats and rugs are made on both powerlooms and
handlooms in large volumes in Kerala, India. Indian jute mattings / rugs are being widely used in
USA and European countries, due to its soft nature. Jute can be easily bleached, colored or printed,
similar to textile fibres, with eco-friendly dyes & chemicals. Hand-knotted Jute carpets & mattings are
also being made from Kerala, India.[citation needed]
Another type of mat is made exclusively from the above-mentioned coir rope by arranging alternate
layers in sinuous and straight paths, and then stitching the parts together. It is also largely used for
the outer covering of ships' fenders. Perforated and otherwise prepared rubber, as well as wire-
woven material, are also largely utilized for door and floor mats. Matting of various kinds is very
extensively employed throughout India for floor coverings, the bottoms of bedsteads, fans and fly-
flaps, etc.; and a considerable export trade in such manufactures is carried on. The materials used
are numerous; but the principal substances are straw, the bulrushes Typha elephantina and Typha
angustifolia, leaves of the date palm (Phoenix sylvestris), of the dwarf palm (Chamaerops Ritchiana),
of the Palmyra palm (Borassus flabelliformis), of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) and of the screw
pine(Pandanus odoratissimus), the munja or munj grass (Saccharum Munja) and allied grasses, and
the mat grasses Cyperus textilis and Cyperus pangorei.[6]
The mats made from Cyperus pangorei (Korai in Tamil) are called "Korai paai" in Tamil[7] and can be
found widely in the households of Tamil Nadu, usually in the size 6 feet by 3 feet. [8] They are usually
dyed in colors of bright red, green or purple, resulting in patterns. These mats differ in their levels of
flexibility, fineness and price. Pattamadai paai (named after the region Pattamadai, near Tirunelveli)
is generally considered the finest "paai". Many of these Indian grass-mats are examples of elegant
design, and the colors in which they are woven are rich, harmonious and effective. [9] Mats made
from Vandavasi are also famed and used commonly. These days, along with these natural grass
mats, one can also find plastic mats, which are easier to maintain and are cheaper. This class of
work obtains in India, Japan and other Eastern countries. Vast quantities of coarse matting used for
packing furniture, heavy and coarse goods, flax and other plants, etc., are made in Russia from the
bast or inner bark of the lime tree. This industry centres in the great forest governments
of Viatka, Nizhniy-Novgorod, Kostroma, Kazan, Perm and Simbirsk.[6]

Promoting safety and health[edit]

Quality floor mats improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and safety
in commercial and residential applications.[citation needed] Studies have shown that most toxic chemicals
that end up inside a home are tracked in on people's shoes.[citation needed] A well-used door mat can trap
and hold dirt and allergens, preventing their spread into the rest of the building, significantly
improving IAQ and reducing the need for extensive cleaning.[10] Additionally many floor mats are
resistant to welding sparks and can keep employees from slipping on industrial lubricants or water.
Floor mats also provide safe surfaces on which to walk, preventing slips and falls that cause injury
and liability damages. Anti-slip mats are now required in many areas to ensure maximum protection
for both employees and customers. Specialized anti-slip mats are now available that provide extra
resistance to the chemicals and grease that are sometimes found in industrial and food service
settings.
Custom made anti-fatigue mats are also used in work areas where employees are required to stand
for long periods of time. Employers have found that much muscle strain and injury endured by
workers is caused by improper flooring conditions.[11] Non-supportive surfaces cause fatigue and foot,
back and neck pain due to impaired circulation. Anti-fatigue mats were shown to improve worker
productivity by reducing the number of sick-days and injuries sustained by workers whose mobility
would otherwise be restricted.

See also[edit]
 Algal mat, a type of microbial mat formed on the water surface or on the surface of rocks
 Egbere, a mat-carrying creature in Yoruba mythology
 Marston Mat, used primarily for the rapid construction of temporary runways and landing
strips
 Mat (picture framing)
 Prayer rug
 Roll mat or sleeping pad
 Tatami
 Woven mat (disambiguation)
 Yoga mat

References[edit]
1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Ed. (1989)
2. ^ Jump up to:a b "Industrial Matting – Notrax® Ergonomic Anti-Fatigue & Safety Matting – Notrax®
Mats for Professional Use".  notrax.eu.
3. ^ "Anti Fatigue Mats – The Unique Rubber Matting".  matcentre.co.uk. Archived from the
original on 23 February 2014.
4. ^ "Anti-Fatigue Mats - The Ultimate Buyer Guide | First Mats UK".  www.firstmats.co.uk.
Retrieved 18 October  2017.
5. ^ Sandle, T. (July 2012). "Examination of air and surface particulate levels from cleanroom
mats and polymeric flooring".  European Journal of Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 17 (3):
110–117.
6. ^ Jump up to:a b c   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication
now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Matting". Encyclopædia Britannica.  17(11th
ed.). Cambridge University Press. p.  902.
7. ^ "Indus Tree Crafts Foundation – Natural fibers – Korai grass". industreecrafts.org.
8. ^ "Grass mats still hold their own here".  The Hindu Business Line.
9. ^ http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/6356/1/NPR%208(5)%20542-545.pdf
10. ^ "Case Study: Improving IAQ and Facility Cleanliness". Eagle Mat and Floor Products.
Retrieved 3 February 2012.
11. ^ "Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores". OSHA.

External links[edit]
  Media related to Mats at Wikimedia Commons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat