PILE FABRIC AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR

The present invention relates to a pile fabric described below. The pile fabric includes a long pile portion and a short pile portion. An average pile length of the long pile portion differs from an average pile length of the short pile portion by 2 mm or more. The long pile portion contains crimped polyester-based fibers in an amount of 60% by weight or more. The short pile portion contains crimped polyester-based fibers in an amount of 60% by weight or more. A crimp removal temperature of the crimped polyester-based fibers of the long pile portion is lower than a crimp removal temperature of the crimped polyester-based fibers of the short pile portion. The crimp removal temperature of the crimped polyester-based fibers of the short pile portion is 90°C or more and 120°C or less. Each of the crimp removal temperatures indicates a minimum temperature that satisfies a specific relationship. Thus, it is possible to provide a pile fabric that includes a long pile portion and a short pile portion, has a good appearance, and good voluminousness and compression recoverability, and further has excellent crimp removability. It is also possible to provide a method for manufacturing the pile fabric.