Cotton in Non-Wovens : An Exploratory Analysis of the Relationships between Cotton Fiber Properties and Needlepunched Nonwoven Characteristics

Nonwovens represent one of the booming sectors in the textile industry today, with significant projected growth both domestically and globally. At present, cotton is supplanted by synthetic fibers in nonwovens, thereby limiting its utilization in an important market sector. This work was an exploratory study to investigate the effect of cotton fiber properties on nonwoven fabric properties. Results observed from this study show that the constituent fiber attributes have significant relationships with the nonwoven fabric characteristics. Taking these fiber properties into account during raw material selection for cotton nonwovens would be beneficial for manufacturers to optimize quality, and also predict final product characteristics. Further research in this area will help gain better understanding, and contribute towards improving cotton's marketability and utilization in the nonwoven industry.