Effect of punch density, depth of needle penetration and mass per unit area on compressional behaviour of jute needle-punched nonwoven fabrics using central composite rotatable experimental design

Abstract

The compressional behaviour of jute needle-punched nonwoven fabric has been studied. Statistical models using central composite rotatable experimental design are developed on compression parameter, recovery parameter, energy loss and thickness loss, depending on the three important parameters of needled fabric, i.e. needling density, depth of needle penetration and mass per unit area. From this model and its contour diagrams, the effects of different parameters can be understood and prediction of compressional behaviour can be made knowing the values of independent parameters. The correlation coefficients between observed and predicted values are found to be significant in all the cases. It is found that the 15-16 mm depth of needle penetration, 170-180 punches/cm2 needling density and 800-900 g/m2 mass per unit area is a very critical combination which might be considered for minimum compressibility because the deviation from any of the variable may be responsible for the increase in compressional behaviour.