Nonwoven Fabric Qualities and Applications

Introduction

Nonwovens are defined more exactly by various bodies, one of the most often quoted is the International Nonwovens & Disposables Association (INDA) definition: Nonwovens are a sheet, web, or bat of natural and/or man-made fibers or filaments, excluding paper, that have not been converted into yarns, and that are bonded to each other by any of several means.

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Nonwoven Masks

Some Qualities of Nonwoven Fabrics

High absorbency: Nonwoven has various applications due to its high absorption quality.

Filtration: Nonwoven can be engineered very precisely to meet exacting specifications and stringent regulatory requirements for the filtration of air, liquid, dust, gas, and bacteria.

Flame retardant: Flame retardant can be achieved in two ways: additive (mechanically blending the FR chemistry with the polymer prior to extrusion) and topical (coating the fiber of the fabric).

High strength: The strongest nonwoven fabric of 535 GSM and made of polypropylene has a strength of 40 KN/m in the cross-machine direction.

Thickness: Nonwoven fabrics are eminently suitable for fluid transportation along the fabric plane. Thickness is one of the important fabric parameters.

Applications of Nonwoven

The use of nonwoven products continues to expand. The many uses of nonwoven may be classified as disposables, durable consumer goods, and industrial materials. Nonwoven materials are used in numerous applications, including:

Medical

• Isolation gown
• Surgical mash
• Surgical gown
• Surgical caps
• Surgical scrub suits
• Medical packaging
• Gloves
• Bath wipes
• Shoe covers
• Drug delivery.

Filters

• Gasoline, oil, air
• Water, coffee, tea bags
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Mineral processing
• Vacuum bags.

Geotextiles

• Soil stabilizers and roadway underlayment
• Erosion control
• Foundation stabilizers
• Canals construction
• Drainage system
• Pond and canal barriers
• Geomembrane and protection
• Landfill liners
• Sand infiltration tile.

Other applications

• Diaper stock
• Carpet
• Shopping bags
• Weather-resistant house wrap
• Clean room wipes
• Insulation
• Backing for machine embroidery
• Potting material for plants.

The most significant reason for the increased use of nonwovens is their economical manufacturing process. Viscose, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wood pulp, and waste fibers are the most used fibers for nonwoven production.