Nonwoven fabric

Nonwoven fabric is a fabric-like material made from staple fibre (short) and long fibres (continuous long), bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used in the textile manufacturing industry to denote fabrics, such as felt, which are neither woven nor knitted. Some non-woven materials lack sufficient strength unless densified or reinforced by a backing. In recent years, non-wovens have become an alternative to polyurethane foam. Non-woven fabric is a type of textile material that is not woven or knitted in the traditional sense. It is produced by directly bonding or interlocking fibers together using various techniques, such as mechanical, chemical, or heat processes. This results in a fabric that is made of fibers held in place through these methods, rather than being woven together using a traditional weaving process. Some key characteristics of non-woven fabrics include:

1. Versatility: Non-woven fabrics can be made from various types of fibers, such as natural fibers like cotton or synthetic fibers like polyester. This allows for a wide range of applications and uses.
2. Strength and Durability: Non-woven fabrics can be engineered to have specific strength and durability properties, making them suitable for various applications where strength is important.
3. Absorbency: Depending on the fibers used and the manufacturing process, non-woven fabrics can exhibit different levels of absorbency. This makes them useful for products like wipes, medical dressings, and more.
4. Breathability: Non-woven fabrics can be designed to be breathable, which makes them suitable for products like disposable diapers and medical garments.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Non-woven fabrics can often be produced at a lower cost compared to traditional woven fabrics due to the simpler manufacturing processes involved.
6. Customizability: Non-woven fabrics can be engineered to have specific properties such as softness, stretch, texture, and more, depending on the intended application.