Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-woven Fabrics

Non-woven fabric is a versatile material made without weaving or knitting. It is produced using high-refractive-index slices, short fibers, or filaments, which are processed through airflow or mechanical methods to form fibers. These fibers are then reinforced using techniques such as spunlacing, needle punching, or hot rolling, followed by finishing treatments.  

These nonwoven fabrics are broadly defined as sheet or web structures bonded together by entangled fibres or filaments, and by perforating films mechanically, thermally, or chemically to form flat, porous sheets that are made directly from separate fibre or from molten plastic or plastic film.

The resulting fabric is soft, breathable, and flat, offering several advantages:  

- No fibrous debris generation  

- Strong and durable yet silky and soft  

- Acts as a reinforcing material with a cotton-like feel  

- Cost-effective and easy to shape, making it ideal for applications like non-woven bags  

Due to its durability and affordability, non-woven fabric is widely used in various industries, including medical, packaging, and home textiles.

Advantages of Non-Woven Fabric  

1. Lightweight – Made primarily from polypropylene resin, non-woven fabric has a low specific gravity of 0.9, making it about 40% lighter than cotton. This gives it a fluffy texture and a pleasant feel.  

2. Soft and Comfortable – Composed of fine fibers (2-3D) and formed through hot-melt bonding, the fabric is moderately soft, providing a comfortable touch.  

3. Water-Repellent and Breathable – Since polypropylene fibers do not absorb water, the fabric maintains zero moisture content. Its 100% fiber composition makes it porous and breathable, allowing it to stay dry and easy to clean.  

4. Non-Toxic and Skin-Friendly – Produced using FDA-approved food-grade materials, non-woven fabric is free from harmful chemicals, odors, and skin irritants, making it safe for various applications.  

5. Antibacterial and Chemical-Resistant – Polypropylene is a chemically stable material that resists bacteria, mold, and insect damage. It is also resistant to alkalis and most chemicals, ensuring long-lasting durability.  

6. Mold-Resistant – With excellent moisture-wicking properties, non-woven fabric prevents mold growth and isolates bacteria and insects in liquid environments.  

7. Superior Strength – Manufactured through a direct polypropylene spinning and thermal bonding process, non-woven fabric is stronger than ordinary staple fiber materials. Its strength is consistent in both vertical and horizontal directions, making it highly durable.  

8. Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable – Unlike plastic bags made from polyethylene, which take hundreds of years to decompose, non-woven fabric made from polypropylene has a weaker molecular structure, allowing it to degrade within 90 days. Additionally, non-woven shopping bags can be reused over 10 times, generating 90% less pollution than traditional plastic bags.  

With these advantages, non-woven fabric is widely used in packaging, medical applications, home textiles, and environmentally friendly products.

Disadvantages:

1) Compared with woven cloth, the strength and durability are poor.

2) It cannot be washed like other fabrics.

3) The fibers are arranged in a certain direction, so it is easy to split from the right angle and so on. Therefore, the improvement of production methods is mainly placed on the improvement of preventing division.