Water Penetration and Abrasion Resistance of Functional Nonwoven Fabrics Produced Using Recycled Cotton and Acrylic Fibers

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this investigation, an engineered loop-bonded nonwoven fabric was developed using recycled cotton and recycled acrylic blended fibers with polyester thread for warping in Arachne stitch bonding machine by varying the fabric weight, blend ratio, and course spacing in different levels of treatment combinations. Acrylic and cotton fibers were extracted by recycling weft knitted cut pieces (garment waste). The developed loop-bonded nonwoven fabrics were tested for its abrasion resistance, water penetration resistance in hydrostatic pressure, and air permeability behavior. The air permeability decreased with the increase in cotton content in the blending composition, thickness, stitch density, and fabric weight. The abrasion resistance increased with the increase in thickness, fabric weight, and thread density with optimum level. The investigated cotton/acrylic blended nonwoven have attractive properties for its better absorbency, lower electrostatic charge generation, superior comfort, disposability and sanitation value, faster drying properties, better durability, a highly-desirable luxurious soft hand, improved thermal resistance, air permeability and moisture vapor transmission, higher productivity, lower production costs and shorter production cycles.