Development of Smart Textiles Using Novel Nonwoven Technology

Summary

End-use applications and the manufacture of textile products are getting more and more sophisticated day-by-day. Among the different methods of textile manufacture, nonwovens technology is fast growing and offers tremendous potential for developing high-tech and smart products. Most recently, as part of a major research program at Texas Tech University funded by US Department of Defense, Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar has acquired the “state-of-the-art” H1 technology needleloom. H1 technology needleloom is a modern needle-punching technology offering enormous scope for developing many different nonwoven substrates with sophisticated and advanced applications. The nonwovens laboratory at Texas Tech University is the first and one and only facility in the US to house the most modern needle-punching technology. The contoured needle zone profile in the H1 technology (Figure 1) increases the needle-punching efficiency and enhances the strength of nonwoven substrates developed from H1 machines. H1 technology machines provide higher needle-punching efficiency and stronger nonwoven substrates.
Up to date results on the properties of H1 technology webs produced on the first US installation will be presented in this paper. The H1 technology machine has been so far able to needle-punch some exotic and high performance fibers such as mohair, Kevlar, etc. Nonwoven webs of different weights from different fibers are currently being developed. A striking observation so far has been that the machine is able to handle a wide range of blends of fibers markedly varying in fiber linear density, length, etc.
This report will present useful and interesting results on the processing and performance properties of H1 technology needle webs. The end-use applications of these substrates such as upholstery fabrics, automotive fabrics, filtration materials, etc. will be discussed in the paper.
References
1. Ramkumar, S. S. (2001), “Developments in Nonwovens Technology: Current Scenar

This paper was first published on the earlier Egytex website. The text above is the summary that was published there.