The fabric industry is filled with many different types of fabrics. Some are woven, some are knitted, and still others are non-wovens. Non-wovens are created by bonding together jumbles of fibers rather than using the traditional weaving or knitting processes. While woven and knit fabrics are often thought of as being “fashionable,” non-wovens have a wide range of applications, including the manufacturing of medical and industrial products. This article will discuss the origins of non-wovens, their basic structure and properties, and some of their most popular uses.
Nonwovens are fibrous materials that are bonded together either chemically, mechanically, or thermally. They are a broad category of textiles that can be made from natural or synthetic fibers and can include spun-bonded, meltblown, and airlaid technologies. The first non-wovens were created by combining shredded natural fibers like those found in reeds and grasses and pressing them together to create mats. Later, Garnett, an engineer from England, developed a machine called the carding device that could shred and mechanically entangle fibers to form a fabric. Garnett's device was the forerunner to the non-woven fabrics we know today.
Woven fabrics are the most common type of fabric used to make clothing. They are typically made of cotton, wool, or polyester. Woven fabric has good strength and can be finished to yield various characteristics like being flame-retardant or waterproof. However, woven fabric has limited stretch, and it is more expensive than knitted fabrics.
Unlike knitted fabrics, which are made from yarns that cross each other, woven fabric is made by threading warp and weft yarns through a loom. The warp yarns are stretched from the top of the loom to the bottom, and the weft yarns run diagonally from one side of the fabric to the other. The weaver then passes the weft yarns over and under the warp yarns, creating a grid-like pattern of intersecting lines.
Woven fabric can be further modified by adding elastomeric fibers to create spandex, which allows the fabric to stretch. Woven fabric also can be scoured or sheared to remove excess fibers, making it thinner and lighter.
Plain Weave Nonwovens Fabric are becoming increasingly important in the world of fashion and other industries. They are lightweight, easy to work with, and can be shaped into a variety of shapes. In addition, they can be sterilized or heat-bonded to resist odors and stains. The fabric is also abrasion resistant and can withstand high temperatures. This makes it an excellent choice for manufacturing medical and sanitary products. The industry's rapid growth is due to innovations and advancements in technology, as well as demand for a more sustainable product. The global market for non-wovens is expected to grow at a rate of 6% each year through 2020. This will drive the need for a wide variety of new products. This will include a variety of new types of medical and sanitary products, as well as insulation and industrial workwear. The fabric will also be utilized in food processing and packaging.