Abstract
This paper presents finite element (FE) modelling of deformation behaviour of thermally bonded bicomponent fibre nonwovens under out-of-plane dynamic loading. Nonwoven fabric was treated as an assembly of two regions with distinct mechanical properties. Bond points were treated as composite material having a matrix of the sheath material reinforced with fibres of the core material. Elastic-plastic and viscous properties of the constituent fibres, obtained with tensile and relaxation tests were implemented into the FE model. The mechanical behaviour of the material under out-of-plane dynamic loading was observed with visual techniques. The deformation behaviour of nonwoven under out-of-plane dynamic loading computed with the numerical model was compared with that observed in the tests.
Highlights
Nonwovens are used in wide range of consumer and industrial products and applications ranging from disposable items such as wipes and diapers to durable products, such as, geotextiles [1]
The results obtained with the finite element (FE) model were in good agreement with the experimental ones confirming the success of the model to predict the time-dependent behaviour of the fabric under dynamic out-of–plane loading
A preferential orientation distribution of fibres and polymer-based constituents led to a complex mechanical behaviour of the fabric, which was modelled by employing two distinct regions with different mechanical properties
Summary
Nonwovens are used in wide range of consumer and industrial products and applications ranging from disposable items such as wipes and diapers to durable products, such as, geotextiles [1]. Regardless of the application areas, structural integrity of nonwovens is the most basic requirement so that they can perform their intended functions under service conditions. This study focuses on thermally bonded nonwoven materials with polymer-based bicomponent fibres. These bicomponent fibres have a core/sheath structure, with the core material having higher melting point than that of the sheath. The two regions — bond points and fibre matrix — have distinct characteristics which define unique but complex deformation behaviour of nonwovens. This complex behaviour is affected by a specific orientation distribution of fibres and their visco-elasticplastic properties of constituent fibres. The developed finite-element models predicted the deformation behaviour of the fabric
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