That is why non-woven fabric is used in different industries and becomes more and more popular due to the availability of its advantages.
Some key benefits of using non-woven fabrics include:
- Flexibility and tailorability – non-wovens can have desired properties and parameters engineered into it and used in various fields including medical, construction etc. They can be made from various base materials, through various manufacturing methods and bonding processes to specific performance, thickness, density, porosity etc. this high degree of flexibility and tunability ensures they can meet requirements of various applications.
- Economical – In relation to the woven or knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics can be produced with lesser costs especially when in bulk production. Since forming and knitting processes are not involved, huge amounts of fabric can be manufactured in a relatively shorter time span and there is no need for complex machinery or a skilled workforce. This means non-wovens have better economics particularly for the disposable use particularly in a single shift. The costs that are associated with raw materials and the actual production of products are relatively cheaper.
- Fluid management – Depending on the need, most non-woven fabrics can be designed to have very high absorbency of both fluids and liquids, such as diapers, wet wipes, absorbent pads, and spillages cleaning objects etc. On the same note, it is possible to create the non-woven fabrics that are not absorbent to fluids and liquids, and are breathable such as medical gowns, surgical drape, etc. The level of absorb
- Mechanical properties – several technical non-wovens exhibit enhanced tensile strength, puncture strength and abrasion strength with respect to conventional textiles. This enables them to be adopted in heavy industry use and endure different types of harsh treatment over a long period of time. They can substitute woven or knitted fabrics where wear and tear factor is very high such as construction coverings, automobile interiors etc They allow very thin, even lightweight non-woven fabrics due to the strength of the fabric.
- Filtering and separation abilities: the filtering and separation capabilities are another unique feature of the non-woven fabrics due to its fiber network structure. This has resulted in these filters being widely adopted in air and liquid filtration products for industrial, commercial and consumer applications. The structure and thickness of the fabric desired can be maintained to selectively remove microbes, dust, pollen and other particles from air/liquid flows. This makes non-wovens suitable for applications such as HVAC filters, surgical face masks, water filters, vacuum bags and so on.
- Heat and cold resistant and ability to reduce vibration – non-woven materials have characteristics of heat and cold resistant and capacity to reduce shock. Hence they are used in things such as insulation material for construction industries, clothing and liner materials, temperature sensitive transport equipment, and the like, besides application in padding and cushioning for items like bedding and furniture and footwear and car seats. Another related benefit is expressed as noise insulation for some sound dampening non-wovens.
- Barrier properties – the use of non-woven fabrics also allows for creating microbial, fluid and vapor barriers when necessary for medical clothing and garments, as well as wound thermoplastic cast covers. This enables having a barrier, that is a wall, which will protect them from outside contamination. The non-wovens also have specific climate control characteristics, such as water-resistance, make them appropriate for use in outdoor gear and travel accessories.
- Softness and comfort – New non-wovens products such as hygiene products, apparel wear, and home textile and apparel products give softer and softer touch or feel and drape easily. Improvements in the raw materials and fabric finishes make non-wovens with smooth touch, skin-friendliness, washability and comfort factor as important attributes that make people to use non- woven material in apparels. Healthcare nonwovens are also designed to avoid irritation to patients as well as to meet all the engineered requirements.
- Sustainability benefits – The use of renewable, recycled, biodegradable, compostable / bio-degradable materials for making non-wovens is gradually increasing. They are beneficial in regard to use in sustainability objectives and in offsetting issues of plastic and microplastic pollution as a result of over-reliance on petroleum-derived synthetics. Organic non-wovens are increasingly being utilized for green applications such as organic cotton wipes, bags, medical products and so on.
- Convenience – by reason of light weight, flexibility, disposability and easy handling/storage of the non- woven products, they provide convenience. These products can be pre-cut for easy use in areas such as medical uses, industrial maintenance uses, household cleaning, etc. Also, they can also be designed in such a way that they can be easily disposed according to the specific terminal disposal requirements.
Thus, non-woven fabric can be used in as a versatile, economical and functional material, which could be used as a substitute for traditional textile in many fields. Cautious design and technological advancement in the methods of production increase the probability of achieving the desirable properties. Thus, even though the use of non-wovens has been in practice for several decades, there is still the potential for innovations to provide further opportunities across cost, sustainability and functional requirements. The versatility of non-woven fabrics and its ability to be used in a numerous diverse end uses will go further in helping drive its adoption in both the consumer and industrial segments. Non-wovens are available from leading manufacturers who have vast fabrication expertise to offer solutions that address specific end product and fabrication process characteristics.