Nonwoven fabric differs from woven or knitted fabrics primarily in the way it’s manufactured and its resulting structure:
Manufacturing Process: Woven fabrics are made by interlacing yarns (lengthwise warp and crosswise weft) at right angles, while knitted fabrics are made by interlocking loops of yarn. Nonwoven fabrics, on the other hand, are made directly from fibers or filaments without the need for yarn formation or knitting.
Structure: Woven fabrics have a regular structure with distinct warp and weft yarns creating a stable, grid-like pattern. Knitted fabrics have a series of interlocking loops creating a more stretchable and flexible structure. Nonwoven fabrics lack the regular, repeating structure of woven or knitted fabrics. Instead, fibers are bonded together using various methods such as heat, chemical, or mechanical processes.
Properties: Woven fabrics tend to be strong, nonwoven fabric supplier durable, and have good dimensional stability due to the interlocking yarns. Knitted fabrics are more stretchable and conformable to the body. Nonwoven fabrics can vary widely in properties depending on the type of fibers used and the bonding method employed, but they often exhibit characteristics such as low cost, disposability, flexibility, and varying degrees of strength and porosity.
Applications: Woven fabrics are commonly used in clothing, upholstery, and household textiles due to their strength and stability. Knitted fabrics are often used in garments requiring stretch and flexibility, such as activewear and socks. Nonwoven fabrics find applications in a wide range of industries including healthcare (surgical masks, medical gowns), hygiene products (diapers, wipes), filtration (air filters, liquid filters), automotive (car interiors, upholstery), construction (geotextiles, insulation), and more, due to their versatility and ability to be tailored for specific purposes.
