Abstract
In this study, the influence of fiber composition and process parameters such as mass per unit area and punching density on abrasion resistance of polyester-/viscose-blended needle-punched nonwovens has been investigated. For this purpose, five different blend ratios of polyester/viscose webs were produced, cross-lapped, and needled in four different mass per unit areas and three different needling/punching densities. The abrasion resistance and thickness of the nonwovens were determined by performing the standard test methods. The structural parameters such as fabric bulk density and fiber volume fraction were calculated and the data obtained from tests and calculations were analyzed in detail. It was concluded that abrasion resistance of the needle-punched nonwovens decreased with the increase of polyester proportion in the mixture and increased with the increase in mass per unit area. Also, an increase in punching density first caused to increase in abrasion resistance and then further increase in punching density decreased the abrasion resistance.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the University of Leeds, the Nonwoven Research Center staff, and Prof. Dr Stephen Russell for allowing them to use the facilities and for their support.