How to Choose Non-Woven Fabrics?

Non-woven fabric is a material made by processing various fibers through equipment like needle rollers or carding machines. This process creates a fiber web, which is solidified or bonded under high pressure. The resulting fabric is a cost-efficient, quick-to-produce material that can be reused and recycled. Its versatility finds applications in numerous medical, industrial, beauty, and construction sectors.

Let's discuss some common types of non-woven fabrics:

Spunlace Non-woven Fabric

Spunlace nonwovens are created by subjecting fiber webs to high-pressure water jets. This process entangles the fibers, giving the fabric a lace-like appearance. The random arrangement of fibers in different layers endows these fabrics with considerable strength and a high absorption capacity.

Spunbond Nonwoven

In the production of spunbond nonwovens, polymers are stretched into continuous filaments and laid down in a web-like arrangement on a conveyor belt. The fabric gains strength and durability by applying chemical, thermal, or mechanical bonding techniques.

Meltblown Non-woven Fabric

Meltblown nonwovens share similarities with spunbond nonwovens in their use of polymers. However, the polymer is extruded through a linear die to create long, fine fibers in the melt-blown process. These fibers are then cooled with hot air jets and collected on a screen, forming a fabric that naturally bonds to itself. Meltblown fabrics are known for their fine filtering capabilities and are often combined with spunbond nonwovens to create multi-layered fabrics, commonly referred to as SM or SMS webs.

Uses of Non-Woven Fabrics

Selecting the appropriate nonwoven fabric depends on its intended application, as these fabrics have diverse uses across various industries. Understanding these applications can guide your choice:

In the Medical Field

Nonwoven fabrics are crucial here. They are used to produce essential items like masks and surgical gowns, which are vital for maintaining hygiene and safety in healthcare settings. Additionally, they are key materials in manufacturing wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, and diapers, offering comfort and reliability.

For Home Decoration

Nonwoven fabrics add aesthetic and functional value to home décor. They are commonly used in carpets, sofa covers, wall coverings, bed sheets, and tablecloths. Their versatility allows for various textures and designs, making them suitable for various interior styles.

In Clothing and Shoemaking

These fabrics are integral to the fashion and footwear industries. They are used as linings in clothing, providing structure and comfort. In shoemaking, nonwoven fabrics find use in parts like toe and heel linings and in the production of comfortable and breathable underwear.

In the Industrial Field

Nonwoven fabrics are employed in a variety of industrial applications. They make cement packaging bags, filter materials, floppy disk linings, and sound insulation felts. Their durability and adaptability make them suitable for these diverse and demanding applications.

In Agriculture

The agricultural sector benefits significantly from nonwoven fabrics. They are used to produce seedling-raising cloths, irrigation cloths, and thermal insulation curtains. These applications protect crops, facilitate growth, and ensure yield efficiency.

Things To Consider Before Making A Decision

Here are five key aspects to keep in mind before making the deal with non-woven fabric manufacturer:

Strength

If your end product requires robustness, synthetic fibers are a go-to choice for high tensile strength. For enhanced durability, you can mix high-strength synthetic fibers with weaker ones, creating bicomponent fiber nonwovens. Polyester nonwovens, known for their high density, are particularly effective when strength is a priority. This feature is crucial in medical and hygiene items, building materials, telecommunication products, and agricultural fabrics.

Temperature Resistance

To achieve temperature resistance in nonwovens, a variety of fibers like cotton, rayon, polyester, and their blends can be utilized. Applying chemical adhesives in bonding is a common method to enhance temperature resistance. This process joins fibers like polyester and rayon, bestowing the nonwoven with properties such as resistance to high or low temperatures.

Shape Retention

Polyester fibers are an excellent choice for products that need to maintain their shape and resist shrinking, stretching, or creasing. Using chemically bonded and bicomponent fibers can improve the fabric's properties, including resistance to washing, dry cleaning, aging, and great flexibility and ease of handling. This characteristic is vital for products requiring consistent appearance and performance over time.

Water Absorption

Cotton fibers are highly regarded for their excellent absorption and release properties, combined with a high degree of comfort and softness. This makes them a superb choice for products requiring absorbency. Rayon, a natural fiber derived from wood pulp, is another great option. It offers high absorbency and softness, ensuring a comfortable finish.

Nonwovens with these fibers are ideal for hygiene-related applications, like cosmetic wipes, baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and medical bandages. Other fibers can be integrated or blended for enhanced durability to create hydrophilic nonwovens that effectively absorb moisture while maintaining structural integrity.

Sustainability

For environmentally-conscious choices, natural fibers stand out for sustainable nonwoven products. Though often more expensive, natural fibers can be competitively priced, especially from suppliers experienced in creating eco-friendly nonwovens. With increasing governmental regulations aimed at environmental protection, many manufacturers are shifting from synthetic fiber nonwovens to more sustainable alternatives. These eco-friendly nonwovens are often compostable or biodegradable, aligning with a growing trend towards sustainable manufacturing practices across various industries.

If you’re looking for a non-woven fabric manufacturer, XINYU is the name you should trust. We're the best in the market, with thousands of satisfied customers and large-scale output provision. Let’s discuss it further!