An approach to the theory of compression of nonwoven fabrics

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">A theoretical analysis of the compressional behaviour of nonwoven fabrics has been proposed based on bending of fibre elements. A fibre segment, which is assumed to be bonded at two neighbouring contact points, has been chosen as the unit bending element. An interactive algorithm, in which the system geometry is updated on successive increments of load, is used to cope with large and non-linear deformation. A comparison between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions shows reasonable agreement. Spunbonded heat-sealed fabrics show a good agreement with the theory, while the spunbonded needle-punched fabrics show deviation, mainly due to fibre-to-fibre slippage.</span>