Non-woven polypropylene fabric is made by bonding or interlocking fibers or other elements in web structure without weaving or knitting. Polypropylene fibers are the most widely used type of fibers in the production of non-woven fabrics due to their low cost, good moisture resistance, and ideal physical properties.
Polypropylene non-woven fabric has many benefits over woven or knitted fabrics. They are lightweight, economical, durable, quick drying, water resistant, reusable and flexible. Because of these properties, polypropylene non-woven fabrics are widely used in a variety of industries for many purposes.
Some of the key applications of polypropylene non-woven fabric include:
• Filtration Media: Non-woven polypropylene fabric is commonly used as filtration media due to its ability to trap particles while allowing liquids or gases to pass through. It is used for air filtration, liquid filtration and various industrial filtration processes.
• Medical Supplies: The non-absorbent and chemical resistant nature of polypropylene makes it ideal for medical applications such as surgical drapes, gowns, masks, wound dressing materials and as a virus barrier.
• Sanitary Products: Polypropylene non-woven fabric is frequently used in feminine hygiene products and adult incontinence products like diapers and underpads due to its softness, absorbency and water resistant properties.
• Furnishing and Furniture: Non-woven polypropylene fabric is also used for furniture covering, carpet backing and upholstery backing due to its high strength, elongation, durability, and low cost.
• Geotextiles: Polypropylene non-woven geotextiles are used in a wide range of civil engineering and road construction applications to provide separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement and erosion control.
• Wet Wipes: Polypropylene non-woven fabric is the fabric of choice for wet wipe applications due to its good water absorption and retention capabilities, wet strength, and resistance to microbial degradation.
• Automotive Industry: Non-woven polypropylene fabric is used in automotive headliners, trunk liners, door panels, carpeting, airbags and acoustic insulation due to its excellent tear strength, lightweight and good resistance to UV, heat and chemicals.
• Consumer Packaging: Polypropylene non-woven fabric is also utilized in the packaging industry for the manufacture of items like shopping bags, labels, grip seals, release liners and components of gift wrapping.
Summary of non-woven fabrics
Polypropylene non-woven fabrics come in various weights, thicknesses, densities, pore sizes and pore distributions depending upon their intended end use. Researchers and manufacturers are increasingly focusing on producing polypropylene non-woven fabrics with enhanced physical, mechanical and chemical properties using various techniques to expand their applications further. The future looks promising for polypropylene non-woven fabrics considering their versatile functions and cost-effectiveness.