Hydroentanglement
Hydroentanglement is a bonding process for wet or dry fibrous webs made by either carding, airlaying or wet-laying, the resulting bonded fabric being a nonwoven. It uses fine, high pressure jets of water which penetrate the web, hit the conveyor belt and bounce back causing the fibres to entangle.
Hydroentanglement is sometimes known as spunlacing, this term arising because the early nonwovens were entangled on conveyors with a patterned weave which gave the nonwovens a lacy appearance. It can also be regarded as a two-dimensional equivalent of spinning fibres into yarns prior to weaving. The water pressure has a direct bearing on the gsm, and strength of the web, and very high pressures not only entangle but can also split fibres into micro- and nano-fibres which give the resulting hydroentangled nonwoven a leatherlike or even silky texture. This type of nonwoven can be as strong and tough as woven fabrics made from the same fibres.
Composition
Different types of staple length fibers and blends can be used in hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics. Polyester and cellulosic blend is most commonly used in these fabrics.Characteristics
The spun-lace fabrics have variable thickness and properties since they are produced by varying processing parameters such as waterjet pressure, delivery speed, web mass and web composition. Primarily these fabrics are water absorbent and holds many other properties like water retention, water vapor permeability and capillary. They are lightweight, soft, flexible and silky texture. They are disposable and affordable than peers.Process
The spunlace nonwoven manufacturing process includes the following key steps: Retrieved 21 January 2016.; Fiber Preparation
; Carding
; Web Formation
; Hydroentangling
; Dewatering and Drying