Influence of processing conditions on the functional properties of high loft structures

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:="" calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-bidi-font-family:"times="" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">The effects of the type of polyester and processing variables like low melt fibre content, temperature and duration of exposure on thermal-bonded wadding properties are reported. Compressional resilience was studied under cyclic loading conditions. A mathematical equation is fitted to describe the load deformation behaviour of waddings. Hollow and high-crimp fibre provide bulkier waddings but lose relatively more of their bulk under cyclic loading <i>vis-a-vis </i>normal crimped fibres. Hollow fibre waddings are more compressible than other types of polyester wadding. Increase in low melt fibre content and duration of exposure results in a drop of specific compressibility and resilience index. Hollow fibre waddings tend to show a better thermal resistance than normal fibres but even a light needling of the batt prior to thermal bonding results in thin and compact wadding with lower thermal resistance. Thermal resistance shows an excellent correlation with thickness of waddings. The specific stress of waddings increases with an increase in low melt fibre content, temperature and duration of exposure.</span>