Functional Polypropylene/High-Absorption Polyacrylate/Bletilla Striata Nonwoven Fabrics: Process and Characteristic Evaluations

Abstract

Natural plant extracts without non-toxic side effect and the relevant products are gaining popularity, and make natural medicines one option of health care. This study combines polypropylene (PP) fibers, high-absorption polyacrylate (HPA) fibers with weight ratios of 100/0, 90/10, and 80/20 wt % with a nonwoven manufacturing process to form PP/HPA nonwoven fabrics, after which the fabrics are immersed in a Bletilla striata (BS) extract, and then dried, yielding functional PP/HPA/BS nonwoven fabric. Stereomicroscopic observation, tensile strength test, tear strength test, and air permeability test are performed on the sample to evaluate the difference in mechanical properties before and after the immersion. In vitro test evaluates the biocompatibility of BC extract. The experimental results show that functional PP/HPA/BS nonwoven fabrics have optimal mechanical properties and an optimal content of 32.2 % BS extract when the nonwoven fabrics are made with an 80:20 ratio.