Bicomponent Fibre Integration in Drylaid Webs
topic
Bicomponent staple fibres with core-sheath or side-by-side cross-sections combining a high-melting-point structural polymer core with a lower-melting-point sheath polymer are blended into drylaid webs at 20 to 100 percent inclusion to serve as thermal binders that melt-bond the web during subsequent hot air or calender bonding, eliminating need for chemical binder application while providing strong fibre-to-fibre bonds at sheath melt temperature.
Role
Enables thermally bonded nonwoven production from drylaid webs without chemical binder application by incorporating bicomponent fibres whose sheath polymer melts to form fibre-to-fibre bond points during thermal bonding, with bicomponent fibre content, sheath polymer melting point, and bonding temperature governing the bond strength and web consolidation that determines the mechanical properties of the thermally bonded drylaid nonwoven.