In the textile industry, nonwoven fabric is as old and straightforward as other textile fabrics. Generally, nonwoven fabrics are used only in protecting clothing and shelters. But, since the last few years, the nonwoven industry has grown unexpectedly. Typically, nonwoven fabrics are prevalent in our life. However, do you know about the properties and characteristics of nonwoven fabric? If you want to know about this topic, then follow our guide, and you will get your answer and enjoy it.
What is Nonwoven Fabric?
Nonwoven is one kind of fabric that is not prepared by weaving or knitting or interlacing yarn. Usually, nonwoven commodities consist of one or more fiber coverings. And the nonwoven fabrics are porous and flexible. Nonwoven fabrics bonded or felted together. These fabrics could be involved in fiber or filaments chemically, thermally, and mechanically.
In other words, nonwoven fabrics are engineered fabrics that are generated directly from fibers, continuous filaments, or cut yarns. It is also separated from fibers of molten plastic or plastic film. Mainly nonwoven are planar structures. Nonwoven fabrics have various uses, especially as internal strengtheners and to support sewing in textile products.
Characteristics of Nonwoven fabric
The structure of the nonwoven fabric is varied from other textile structures. Some structural characteristics of nonwoven fabric are pointed out below:
Generally, it consists of layers of fibrous webs or single fibers rather than of yarns. The thickness and weight or both of the nonwoven fabric are usually not uniform. The nonwoven is highly porous and penetrable. It is anisotropic inside the structure itself.
The range of characteristics of the nonwoven fabric is extensive. The essential characteristics of nonwoven fabric are pointing out the below:
- A presence like be paper-like, felt-like.
- Can be unclear or translucent.
- Thin as tissue paper or too much thicker.
- Rigid, hard, or broadly with little flexibility.
- The porosity of fabric may range from low tear.
- And the burst strength of this fabric is very highly extensible.
- Have outstanding launder ability, where others fabrics have none.
- Fabrics can be dry-cleaned.
Physical Characteristics of Nonwoven Fabric
Here are some considering properties of Nonwoven fabrics :
1. Breaking strength:
The breaking strength of nonwoven fabrics gives 500N in the transversal direction. And withinside the longitudinal path, it’s far 1200N.
2. Tear strength:
The tearing strength of nonwoven fabrics is approximately double of woven fabric.
3. Fabric stretch:
Presently invented nonwoven fabrics show extensibility with inside; the cross-route of fabric stretch of at the least approximately 50%. And more fabulous first at the least about 60%, with the preliminary rescue of at the least around 85%-90%.
4. Abrasion resistance:
Nonwoven fabrics have poor abrasion resistance because of their loose structure.
5. Fabric weight:
Nowadays, formulated nonwoven fabric clothes are 50% softer than knitted fabric.
6. Air permeability:
The nonwoven fabric is made of 100% fiber. That’s why it provides more air permeability. It’s also simple to maintain the cloth dry and manageable to clean. That’s why nonwoven fabrics provide good comfort.
7. Thermal properties:
Nonwoven fabric provides a decrease in thermal retention. So, when exposed to the high environmental temperature, the wearer would remain more excellent and comfortable.
8. Moisture absorbance:
Usually, the moisture absorbance characteristic relies typically on the fibers used to provide the fabric. The nonwoven fabric is delivered from hydrophobic fibers, which can take in much less moisture.
Properties of Nonwoven Fabric
A few properties of nonwoven fabrics are:
- High Absorbency
- Bacterial barrier
- Act Cushioning
- High Liquid repellency
- Flame retardant
- Soft
- Resilience
- High Strength
- Sterility
- Stretchy
- Washable
Some general properties of nonwoven fabrics are:
- Nonwoven fabrics are not particularly robust.
- May be made smooth and soluble with warmth and act just like the glue used for hemming.
- Softer while wet.
- Made porous so that water can pass through.
- Cheaper to produce.
Advantageous Properties of Nonwoven Fabrics
a. Lightweight:
Nonwoven fabrics are fabricated from polypropylene resin. So, their weight is merely three-fifths of cotton’s weight. As a result, this fabric is soft with a good hand feeling.
b. Soft:
The nonwoven fabrics are composed of fine fibers. So, the completed product is smooth and comfortable.
c. Water-repellent:
Polypropylene chips of non-woven fabric are non-absorbent. As a result, the water content material is zero, so the completed product is water-repellent.
d. Non-toxic and non-irritant:
The nonwoven fabric verifies to the FDA food-grade natural fabric production. It does not have other chemical ingredients. So, it is safe, non-toxic, odorless, stable, and non-irritating. This property of nonwoven fabric makes it acceptable. As a result, it can produce various beauty products such as makeup cotton, wet wipes, facial masks, etc.
e. Anti-chemical and antibacterial agents:
Polypropylene may be a blunt chemical material. It can isolate bacteria and insects present in the liquid and protect nonwovens from decay. Besides, nonwoven fabrics have antibacterial and anti-corrosion properties. As a result, the finished products are water-repellent and not moldy.
f. Good physical properties:
Nonwoven fabric is immediately created through polypropylene spinning and heat-bonded. As a result, the stability of the nonwoven commodities is higher than that of typical staple fiber merchandise.
g. Eco-friendly:
In recent years, this property of a nonwoven fabric widely used in different fields. However, humans pay extra interest in environmental safety. The chemical configuration of polypropylene isn’t always strong. So, the molecular chain may be effortlessly broken. And it can be degraded successfully for permeating the following environmental cycle in a non-poisonous form.
Defective Properties of Nonwoven Fabrics
- When nonwoven fabrics compare with woven fabrics, it is poor strength and durability.
- Although it may be dry-cleaned yet, it cannot be clean like other ordinary clothes.
Conclusion
According to present demand, nowadays, nonwovens are improved and brought up to a grade which increases its use as apparels. Presently, the possible end-use application is unlimited. Due to the availability of fashionable nonwoven garments at a lower rate, the nonwoven fabrics could be a probable input in the areas of inner lining for warm clothes, ties garments, head wears, and blankets. Besides, it additionally develops its utility in a broad expanse of areas, including the aerospace industry, farming, automobiles, buildings, etc.
One day, this nonwoven fabric will prove to be an essential step in improving people’s living standards. Finally, it says that one-day nonwoven fabrics will enrich the standard of living of human beings.