Spunlaced non wovens
The spunlace process
Spunlace technology, also known as hydroentanglement, uses fine high pressure water jets to entangle dry-laid short staple fibres into a coherent textile-like fabric. In addition, the spunlace process allows the production of multi-layered structures with the inclusion of scrims and other roll goods. The schematic below demonstrates the basics of the spunlace process.
The spunlace process
Characteristics
Characterised by binder free processing, even fibre dispersion, relatively low bulk and through thickness fibre architecture, spunlaced nonwovens have relatively high tensile strength and good dimensional stability.
With potential base weights of 15 – 750g/m2 the spunlace process gives a non woven with the following material characteristics:-
- light weight, tear resistant, durable
- homogeneous, flexible, conformable
- binder free – easily conformable around complex curvatures
- 3 dimensional fibre orientation
- isotropic MD:CD properties
- rapid wet-out, easy-to-impregnate
- intermediate fibre volume fraction
- apertured for rapid resin wet out or “flat” for optimum surface finish
The photo below shows a spunlaced apertured para aramid material
Apertured para aramid
Composite processes
Spunlaced non wovens are suitable for the following composite manufacturing processes:-
- hand lay-up
- pultrusion (click here for more information)
- mandrel winding and filament winding (click here for more information)
- roll wrapping
- vacuum infusion
- resin transfer moulding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM)
Applications
Spunlace non –woven products for applications in composites include:-
- polyester for high quality surface, enhanced resistance to corrosion and UV exposure
- para-aramid for improved impact and wear resistance
- basalt, pre-ox and phenolic fibres for surface fire protection
- conductive blends for surface static dissipation, EMI shielding and heating applications, etc.
- flax for biodegradable eco-friendly credentials, good vibration and UV absorption properties and a pleasing, natural aesthetic finish