The Strength of Thermally Point-Bonded Nonwoven Fabric

Abstract

A semi-empirical model is developed to predict the maximum achievable strength of a nonwoven fabric and to identify and scale the factors affecting that strength. The scope and accuracy of the model are limited by the assumptions made during its development, but they are shown to be quite reasonable. The results of the model calculations suggest that the practical potential strength of an ideal point-bonded nonwoven fabric is three to four times higher than the average tensile strength of the best available spunbonded fabric samples, and about one-third lower than the average strength of fiber samples. Weak fiber-bond interfaces, areal density variations, fiber property variations, and fiber curl or combinations of these and others factors may limit fabric strength. Of these four factors, the first two are the key ones that limit spunbonded fabric observed strength. Knowledge of the potential strength and the factors limiting strength may enable manufacturers to improve nonwoven strength.

Non-uniformity of deformation in low-density thermally point bonded non-woven material: effect of microstructure

“…The calendaring process use heat and high pressure applied through rollers to weld the fibre webs together [2]. One of these rollers has an engraved pattern on its surface that leads to fibre-tofibre bonding locally at the points of the intersection of the engraved pattern with the smooth roller.…”

A Modified Micromechanical Model for the Prediction of Tensile Behavior of Nonwoven Structures

“…More recently, a computer model has been developed for thermal point bonded nonwovens as a function of structure variables [13]. A semiempirical model approach has also been applied to predict the strength of thermal point bonded fabrics; however, the effect of fiber curl was neglected in this analysis [14]. Furthermore, Adanur and Liao [15] predicted the tensile behavior of nonwoven fabrics from the fiber arrangement characteristics.…”

Binder fiber distribution and tensile properties of thermally point bonded cotton‐based nonwovens

“…2 Because strength is an extrinsic property, if some parts of a whole fabric sample are weakly bonded, such as regions with low binder fiber distribution, they may affect fabric strength significantly.…”