The Impact of Input Energy, Fiber Properties, and Forming Wires on the Performance of Hydroentangled Fabrics

Abstract

Extensive critical literature review of the development of hydroentangled technology and research regarding fabric performance in terms of fiber and process parameters was conducted. The review revealed that hydroentanglement is the fastest growing nonwoven bonding technology with an annual growth rate of about 20%. The review also indicated that the research in public domain regarding fabric performance as related to forming wire geometry and fiber properties is not thoroughly covered. The research areas in process and fabric geometry modeling have not been considered by previous researchers.

A model describing the force and energy required to form fabric aperture was derived by developing hydroentangled fabric geometry and calculating the energies required to achieve the geometry. Three energy components were considered, namely fiber bending, fiber-to-fiber friction, and fiber stress-strain. The model predicts the three energies in terms of fiber properties and forming wire geometry. Numerical examples illustrating the use of model to calculate the three energies for range of forming wires a fiber are given. The numerical solution shows that the calculated energies from the model that is required to form fabrics is extremely very small as compared to the water jet energy. This indicates that most of the energy is lost.

Experimental trials were conducted using different fibers with range of properties, forming wires, and water jet pressure. Fabric tensile strength is used as an indicator of degree of hydroentanglement to assess the fabric performance. The results show that the hydroentangled fabric tensile strength is significantly influenced by forming wire type, fiber properties, and jet pressure.

Three force mechanisms (flexural rigidity, friction force, and strain force) were analyzed to reveal which force is more significance in governing fabric strength.