It is a material made from threads, fibers, films, in its manufacture traditional methods such as weaving or spinning are not used. The technology for the production of such canvases is simple, lower financial costs, the range of material is more diverse and has a low cost. Non-woven material has excellent performance. That is why non-woven fabric is today the main type of textile products.
Non-woven material is divided into the following types:
- Textile
- canvas-stitched
- thread-piercing
- fabric stitching
- needle-punched
- glued
- combined
- Batting
- canvas-stitched
- needle-punched
- glued
- household material
- Technical material
Production of non-woven fabric
The properties of non-woven material directly depend on the raw materials, structure, production methods. Non-woven fabric is produced from the following chemical fibers:
- viscose
- polyester
- polyamide
- polyacrylonitrile
- polypropylene
Also, it is possible to produce from recycled materials - waste of short, substandard fibers.
Technological process of manufacturing non-woven fabric
Raw material preparation
The initial stage of production, during which raw materials are loosened, impurities are cleaned, fibers are mixed, threads are rewound or binders, chemical solutions, hardeners are prepared.
Formation of the fibrous base
Fiber canvas is produced mechanically, at the same time, a comb of fibers (45-150 mm) is formed on a special carding machine. The fibers obtained in this way in the finished non-woven material are located in the longitudinal direction or longitudinal-transverse.
When forming the base in an aerodynamic way, the pre-combed fibers are transferred by air flow through the diffuser to the conveyor, where they are laid, forming a non-woven material (the fibers are not oriented).
Also, hydraulic or wet method, electrostatic, fiber forming are used for forming.
Obtaining a non-woven fabric (fiber bonding)
The fibrous base is fastened in several ways - physical-chemical, thermal bonding, physical-mechanical, combined. The first method is used to obtain bonded nonwovens. The physical-mechanical method includes: knitting, needle punching.
In order to obtain a non-woven fabric of high quality, increased strength and better deformation properties, a combined method is used.
Nonwoven fabric finishing
Non-woven fabric, depending on the further application, is produced unbleached, bleached, dyed.
The production of nonwoven material from chemical fibers has much in common with the production of geotextiles. When certain chemical additives are added to the non-woven, a product is obtained in terms of its properties and functions, as well as in its scope, similar to a geotextile.
Spunbond
Spunbond is one of the types of non-woven fabric produced by thermal bonding. It is a non-woven polymer material, made of polypropylene. According to the technology, thin threads are obtained from the molten polymer, which are then drawn in an air stream. The threads are fastened together using chemical impregnation, thermal bonding or needle-punching.
Spandbond has excellent characteristics that determine the scope of its application. The fabric is produced in a width of up to four meters, it is easy to cut. A wide range of density (10 - 600 g / sq.m.) and thickness, on which flexibility, strength characteristics, breathability determine the advantages of a non-woven fabric made of chemical fibers.
Material advantages
- Wide range of applications due to easy handling and storage
- Long service life, high strength, resistance to deformation, abrasion, creasing.
- Low electrical conductivity, resistance to temperature fluctuations, heat resistance.
- Resistant to various aggressive environments.
- The ability to give the material any color at the stage of polymer melting.
Areas of application of non-woven fabric.
The excellent properties and advantages of the material make it possible to use it in various industries. Applications depend on the density, dimensions of the web and even color.
Agriculture
Thermally bonded canvas of white or black color, with a density of up to 50 g/sq.m., is used as a covering and mulching material. For better protection against ultraviolet rays, a special stabilizer is introduced into the raw materials during production. Withstands low temperatures, water and air permeable.
Hygiene and medicine
A material is used with a density of up to 25 gr./sq.m. for the production of diapers, diapers. Density up to 60 gr./sq.m. for the manufacture of medical kits, including operating rooms, bandages and masks. Antibacterial, hydrophilic and hydrophobic additives are introduced into the raw materials.
Light industry
Disposable clothing, towels, tablecloths and napkins, bed linen, blankets are produced, it is widely used as a lining and insulation material for sewing outerwear, shoes, various leather goods, it can also be used in the manufacture of furniture. Non-woven fabrics of various colors and densities are suitable for light industry.
Non-woven fabric made of chemical fibers is widely used in road construction, in the construction of drainage systems, as a filtering and insulating material, for insulation of rooms, roofs, and floors.
Building membranes are produced from non-woven material, which, due to their unique properties, can extend the service life of structures, various building structures, and also reduce construction time.
Like any other product, chemical fiber nonwoven fabric must be purchased only from trusted manufacturers and suppliers.
Products prepared from chemical fibers. Several varieties of non-woven coatings are supplied for sale, differing in technical indicators and properties. Similar results were achieved using a variety of manufacturing techniques. In order to make it easier to decide, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main types.
Spunbond
The preparation of such material is carried out by forcing the pre-prepared raw materials through special dies, the diameter of which is relatively small. Only after that the fibers are thoroughly cooled, stretched, and also laid on a flat surface. A calender is used to connect the prepared and cooled fibers.
The canvas prepared in this way is distinguished by an increased level of density, wear resistance, and also strength. This material is waterproof, easy to store and use. It is often used in the preparation of non-sterile products.
Spunlace
The preparation of this nonwoven material is carried out almost on the same principle as spunbond. The only difference is that the fibers are intertwined with high pressure water jets. This type of non-woven material is made from polypropylene, viscose, and polyester fibers. In some cases, several types of fibers are combined. As a rule, several types of fibers are combined if it is necessary to enhance certain properties of the web.
This type of nonwoven material has the following advantages:
- Excellent tactile comfort.
- The coating does not interfere with the free circulation of air.
- The level of coating strength is quite high.
- The material has excellent protective properties.
- The coefficient of elasticity of the coating is quite low.
This type of nonwoven material should not be used in extremely humid climates, as it absorbs moisture well, while increasing its weight.
You may be interested in these products
Multilayer nonwoven fabric
This material includes three main layers:
- Spunbond.
- Meltblown. The preparation of this coating is carried out in almost the same way as spunbond. The only difference is the additional processing of the fibers in a high-speed stream, due to which they are separated into thinner threads.
- Spunbond.
Bonding of the above three layers is carried out at a certain temperature.
The material obtained in this way is distinguished by the uniformity of the distribution of the constituent fibers. It is this property that made it possible to use it in the preparation of various filters.
Composition of nonwovens
Currently, non-woven materials are prepared from:
- Natural fibers: wool, cotton, linen.
- Chemical fibers: polyamide, viscose, polypropylene, polyester, others.
- Secondary raw materials obtained from waste of chemical and other industries.
In order to ensure a reliable connection of fibers, manufacturers quite often use lavsan, glass, nylon or metal threads.
Before raw materials go to production, they must be prepared. The preparation processes are determined depending on what kind of raw materials, what manufacturing technique is used.
Properties of nonwovens
Nonwovens have a number of unique properties:
- Structure homogeneity. Due to the fact that the fibers used in the production are connected as firmly as possible, distributed evenly, the load on the material is distributed evenly around the entire perimeter. This eliminates the possibility of deformation, excessive tension of the coating or violation of its integrity.
- Density. Since nonwoven materials are distinguished by an increased level of density, they can be used to minimize the evaporation of moisture from the soil. As a result, irrigation rates will also be reduced.
- The material helps to maintain an optimal temperature level, so that the soil warms up much faster.
- High level of strength. Neither mechanical load nor chemical components affect the basic properties of the nonwoven material. Therefore, it can be operated in the most severe conditions.
- Long period of use. Most types of nonwoven fabric can be used for 10 years or more. Manufacturers managed to achieve similar results by combining different types of fibers, combining them. Do not forget that the correct installation and compliance with storage conditions affect the service life.
- Ease of use. The instructions supplied by the manufacturers contain detailed data regarding the laying rules. By following them, you can quickly implement everything.
- All products go through a certification process.
Density of nonwoven fabric
Manufacturers supply non-woven material of various densities. In order to make it easier to navigate, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the features of canvases of various densities.
- Lightweight non-woven fabrics (14-17 g/m2)
Material with such a density is only white. You can use it without installing additional supports, placing it directly on plants, soil. Such actions will not cause any harm, since the material is light in weight. Its use will create an optimal microclimate for plants.
Despite the fact that the coating has a low density, it can be used to provide reliable protection of the root system, plants from insects, rodents.
- Medium non-woven fabrics (28-42 g/m2)
A coating with this density is also available only in white. The number of areas in which it can be used is much larger. For example, it is great for constructing greenhouses, greenhouses.
- Thick non-woven fabrics (60 g/m2)
Non-woven materials with the highest density are available not only in white, but also in black.
Dense coverings can also be used for soil mulching. Its introduction into the composition of the soil makes it possible to prevent the germination of various weeds. If a black coating is used for these purposes, then the seedlings can be provided with additional heat.
Not so long ago, they began to supply an innovative two-color canvas. It consists of white and black layers. When laying, the black layer is placed directly on the ground. Since the white layer is at the top, the soil warms up more slowly. The temperature regime is maintained for a long time. This has a positive effect on the growth of various plants. A denser canvas is beneficial to use at low temperatures, as it partially protects the root system from frost.
When buying a non-woven fabric, you need to take into account various characteristics, technical indicators. Only in this case it will be possible to purchase high-quality material.
Nonwovens: classification and methods of application
Non-woven fabrics are found not only in industrial production, but also in everyday life. These are individual gowns and caps that are given out in the emergency room of any hospital, wet wipes for wiping hands, cleaning cloths, baby diapers and a host of other things that you have to deal with daily. Consider the main types of nonwoven materials, methods of their production, characteristics and scope.
Non-woven materials include materials for the manufacture of which traditional weaving technologies are not used. For the first time such a product made of viscose fibers bonded with chemicals was obtained in the mid-30s of the twentieth century in France. At present, in many countries there are large enterprises that produce all kinds of nonwoven materials.
According to their purpose, they are classified into the following categories:
- technical. These are various filtering, cleaning, insulating, upholstery and other products used in construction, agriculture and many industries;
- household. These include all kinds of materials for tailoring, artificial fur, the basis of leather substitutes, batting, felt, felt, terry cloth, etc.;
- medical. In any hospital, disposable napkins, towels, diapers and sheets are widely used. In addition, various dressings, tampons, pads and diapers can also be non-woven.
Many catering establishments purchase non-woven tablecloths, aprons, bathrobes and caps for service personnel. Some companies sew uniforms for their employees from such canvases.
Methods for the production of nonwovens
As raw materials for the production of non-woven fabrics, natural ones are used: cotton, linen, wool or silk - as well as synthetic and artificial fibers. In addition, textile waste is often recycled.
The manufacturing process includes several stages:
- Cleaning and sorting of raw materials. At the same time binder solutions are prepared.
- Forming the canvas - laying the fibers in different directions.
- Binding material.
- Fabric processing - drying, dyeing, bleaching, etc.
The classification of technologies for connecting fibers into a monolithic product includes several methods.
glue method
It is most often used for making bases for oilcloth, leather substitute or linoleum, for interlining fabrics - interlining, dublerin, as well as in the printing industry. The decomposed fibers are impregnated with special adhesives, which, when solidified, form a web.
The materials obtained in this way have high strength, rigidity and elasticity. They are resistant to heat, dry cleaning and washing. A characteristic feature is a sufficient level of aeration and significant hygroscopicity.
Knitting and punching method
Prepared and shaped fibers are knitted with nylon or cotton threads, forming a rigid frame. In this way, flannel, baize, batting, drape and cloth are obtained.
The materials from which clothes are subsequently sewn have a number of positive qualities. They do not shrink, do not wrinkle, pass air well and have high wear resistance.
A variant of the method is thread stitching, in which the fabric is obtained by interlacing a system of two or more threads. This is how many fabrics are made for sewing dresses, blouses, men's shirts and even swimwear. Products from them keep their shape well and have low thermal conductivity.
Needle-punched method
The prepared material is laid out on special machines and subjected to numerous piercings with highly heated jagged needles. As a result, the fibers are chaotically entangled, the fabric is fastened together.
In the needle-punched way, most heaters are obtained - synthetic winterizer, batting and others. Their significant disadvantage is that during operation, individual fibers can penetrate the top layer. This not only affects the appearance of the product, but also reduces its thermal conductivity and durability.
thermal method
At the preparatory stage add a certain amount of fibers having a melting point lower than the bulk. When heated, they quickly melt and form a solid product. 
This technology is used to obtain some types of fillers for upholstered furniture, as well as inexpensive insulating materials for outerwear. They are distinguished by low density, but significant elasticity and resistance to chemicals.
Hydrojet method
Products obtained using this innovative technology are used in medicine, cosmetology: disposable underwear, gowns, dressings, napkins, tampons, sponges, etc. The most famous are sontara, novitex and fibrella.
The method is based on weaving and binding fibers with high-pressure water jets. Its pioneer is the well-known American company DuPont.
Interesting to know! For the production of baby diapers, the airforming method is used. The fibers enter the air stream and turn into cotton wool, which is then sprayed onto a special adhesive tape.
Felt felting method
It allows you to get non-woven materials from pure wool or blended raw materials. In conditions of high humidity at a certain temperature, the fibers are subjected to mechanical stress, as a result of which they are felted.
In this way, felt is obtained, which is used for the production of shoes, warm clothes, blankets and other products. In addition, felt is widely used in the construction of buildings, since it not only retains heat well, but also provides sound insulation for rooms.
The most famous nonwovens
These products have many advantages: softness, elasticity, strength, wear resistance and durability. Modern technologies allow you to create products with pre-programmed characteristics. Let us dwell briefly on the most common materials.
Even 50 years ago, batting was practically the only insulation. It is noteworthy that even coat hangers for evening dresses and elegant suits were made from it.
Now batting is used only in work clothes - padded jackets, mittens, balaclavas, etc. Some manufacturers of orthopedic mattresses also do not forget about this material.
The raw materials for batting are natural or mixed fibers, as well as some waste from textile and clothing production. They are connected into a fabric by a needle-punched or knitting method. The highest quality is considered batting with gauze sizing. Such a canvas is not deformed and has a significant service life.
The disadvantages of batting are its large weight, the ability to absorb moisture and dry for a long time. In addition, moths can start in wool fibers. Therefore, modern manufacturers of workwear prefer synthetic insulation.
This is a light, voluminous and elastic non-woven fabric that has good heat-shielding properties. It is often used not only for sewing jackets and coats, but also in the furniture industry, in the manufacture of pillows, blankets, soft toys, sleeping bags, shoes. 
The synthetic winterizer is obtained by gluing or thermally from synthetic fibers. Its main advantages compared to batting are light weight, good dimensional stability and a high degree of heat saving.
It is important to know! The adhesive composition used in the production of padding polyester can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy clothes or toys with such a filler for small children.
Spunbond
Disposable gowns, caps, napkins and sheets made from this material are water-repellent. The soft, pleasant to the touch surface of spunbond is associated with cotton fabrics.
Fibers are obtained by forcing molten polypropylene through a plurality of spinnerets. The cured threads are spun and thermally bonded into a web. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain spunbond fibers several tens of times thinner than human hair.
Spunlace
Cotton, viscose or polypropylene fibers, which form the basis of such a fabric, are joined under high pressure by the hydrojet method. The fabric is characterized by increased strength, breathability and the absence of static electricity.
The material is widely used in hairdressing and cosmetology. The most famous spunlace product is wet wipes.
Thinsulate
In terms of heat-saving properties, this non-woven material is comparable to swan or eider down. The name "tinsulate" is translated as "thin heat". It consists of the thinnest hollow polyester fibers, each of which is twisted in a spiral. It is thanks to this that the filler keeps its shape perfectly, instantly returning the product to its original appearance after washing.
The thermal characteristics of the material are also noteworthy. In a jacket with thinsulate, a person feels comfortable even at a frost of 40o. A strikingly thin thickness does not hinder movement and allows you to freely ski or run.
The negative qualities of thinsulate include its ability to accumulate static electricity. But with the help of appropriate processing, this problem can be eliminated.
Isosoft
Another modern insulation, which was developed by the Belgian concern Libeltex, the largest manufacturer of nonwovens. Isosoft consists of the finest polyester fibers, connected in such a way as to ensure maximum heat saving.
The thickness of the isosoft is 4 times less than that of the padding polyester, and the warming capacity is 10-12 times higher. The material has all quality certificates, so it can be used without fear even in children's clothing.
Isosoft easily tolerates washing in the machine, without getting lumpy and without penetrating the front side of the product. Clothing dries quickly and returns to its original shape. The disadvantage of the material can only be considered its high cost, but this is more than compensated by its excellent performance and durability.
From thin and delicate rabbit and goat down, a beautiful material called felting is obtained by felting. It is used for the manufacture of outerwear, shoes, hats, children's toys and decor items.
Sometimes, to give the product additional strength and resistance to deformation, viscose or synthetic threads are added to the fluff. This felt has a smooth surface with a pleasant sheen.
Felt is actively used to create a variety of crafts. This is facilitated by the fact that the material is well colored, does not crumble when cutting, and looks the same both from the front and from the wrong side.
It is important to know! When washing, felt products can shrink and shed. Therefore, to care for them, it is best to use dry cleaning using special products.
Nonwovens, the list of which becomes more extensive every year, are rightly considered the product of tomorrow. The numerous advantages that they possess make them indispensable in various spheres of human life.
Among the most common textile materials is non-woven fabric, which includes a huge variety of types. Made from one or a combination of materials, nonwoven fabric is a bonded structure of elements. It does not contain knitted and woven fabrics.
One of the most well-known materials of this type is geotex, which includes polypropylene fibers.
History of creation
Subsequently, a variety of materials were used as raw materials for geotex. The demand for nonwoven fabric grew in an instant, so unusual and useful were its properties. Depending on the type of fibers that formed the basis for the creation of a new material, it was possible to obtain a variety of properties.
In France, they developed not only new types of machine tools, but also modernized the old ones for more advanced types of non-woven fabric. To this day, the best performance in the equipment for creating such denses is the main advantage of French machines.
To date, developed a lot of varieties of non-woven material. Now the non-woven fabric can be used as a drainage, filtering or membrane tool.
Until the end of the 20th century, the countries of Europe, the USA and Japan remained the main producers of geotex material and similar ones. But soon they were not only joined, but also began to overtake Asian countries in terms of quantity and quality of production. In particular, non-woven fabric is now supplied in huge quantities by Uzbekistan.
In our country, non-woven fabric was originally produced only for domestic purposes and was used in the clothing industry. In the 90s, oddly enough, the rapid development of this industry began, and GOST began to actively develop and improve the standards.
This development was caused by the shortage of cotton fabrics, and many woven materials in various fields were forced to be replaced by needle-punched non-woven and other similar types. So there was a need to improve this industry. There is a huge demand for modern nonwoven fabric, which is growing steadily.
Production
Geotex and other non-woven fabrics are made in three stages:
- Foundation formation. For this, a frame made of threads or a fibrous canvas is used.
- Base fastening.
- Finishing the finished material.
To form the canvas, a mass of natural and chemical fibers is used in different proportions. Finished fibers are mixed and cleaned. After combing, a fibrous canvas is formed. The frame of threads is a grid in the form of threads laid parallel to each other.
The fastening of the base can be of three types: needle-punched, knitting-stitching and glue. Needle-punched bonding is done on machines using needles. The needle, passing through the thickness of the entire layer, captures the fibers and drags them through. This is how interlayer bonding occurs. The knitting-stitching method consists in knitting the canvas with yarn. And, finally, the non-woven fabric is produced by the adhesive method. In this case, the canvases are held together with the help of polymeric substances. Bonding is of two types: wet and dry. Wet consists in applying a liquid substance to canvases and then laying them on top of each other. For dry gluing, powder, thread, film or spatula fibers are used, which have a lower melting point than the bonded canvases. After applying the binder, the canvases are subject to heat treatment.
The geotextile fabric must be finished.
Basic properties
Assessing the quality of such materials, it is necessary to proceed from the scope of their application. The filter non-woven fabric must be highly durable, and good aesthetic performance for photography is useful, but no more.
Some types of matter are subject to high requirements for density, strength, elastic elasticity. And excellent external indicators, perfectly demonstrated in the photo, allow non-woven materials to successfully compete with fabrics. Considering the economic component, the advantage in most cases is given to non-woven fabrics.
Areas of use
Geotextile fabric is used for a variety of purposes. In the clothing industry, clothes for various purposes are made from this material: dresses, suits, underwear, bathrobes, coats, swimwear, children's clothes. Often geotex materials are used for insulation.
The geotextile fabric has found wide application in other areas. Geotex is used in road construction, drainage installation, residential development and interior decoration. In addition, geotex can even be used for finishing residential areas. For example, a geotextile fabric can be seen on the wrong side of table oilcloths or linoleums.
In terms of its properties, the described material is in many respects superior to its fabric counterparts. And he is constantly improving. So it will not be surprising that soon this matter will be needed absolutely everywhere.
Non-woven materials are obtained by gluing a fibrous substance with polyester fibers during heat treatment. Similar fabrics are needed for the manufacture of mattresses and other products. In production, the latest technologies are used, which are fully consistent with the trends of the times. With their help, you can get an excellent result that will fully satisfy all the existing requirements for safety and reliability. The fabric of the mattress must necessarily "breathe", as this will allow the product to last as long as possible, and it will always remain fresh. It is very important that the mattress does not absorb sweat inside, because then harmful microorganisms will develop inside that can harm people's health.
What are nonwoven materials?
In total, there are several types of non-woven materials that are used for different purposes. The synthetic winterizer represents a synthetic cloth from special polyester fiber. It is used as a heater in the manufacture of various clothing and has excellent properties that make it popular in the market. Sherstepon is a woolen cloth made of natural wool. Its main purpose is also to act as a heater, only in terms of its characteristics it will be somewhat better than the previous model and, moreover, it consists of natural components. Cotton-pon is in turn a cotton fabric made from cotton fiber. It is also natural and is used for warmer seasons, as it does not have outstanding heating properties.
Linen, as you might guess, is a linen made from bast fibers (linen, jute, hemp, kenaf). It is used in the manufacture of very light things that pleasantly fit the body and make it possible to feel free in the heat. Vatex is a recycled fiber fabric. It is the least common in production, since it does not have outstanding properties and is only needed so that it can somehow be usefully disposed of waste.
White batting is a non-woven canvas-stitched fabric made of synthetic polyester fiber. It is used as a heater in down jackets and winter pants. Wool is a fabric made from natural sheep wool. It has an incredible ability to retain heat and is suitable for making things for polar explorers. Batting is a non-woven canvas-stitched fabric made of regenerated fiber.
