An analysis on air permeability of polyester/viscose blended needle-punched nonwovens

Air permeability is one of the important properties which affect the performance of nonwovens used for filtration, insulation and drainage applications. In this study, an analysis on the air permeability of the polyester/viscose blended needle-punched nonwovens has been carried out. In addition, a mixture-process crossed regression model with two mixture components (polyester and viscose blend ratios) and two process variables (fabric mass per unit area and needling density) is developed to analyze the air permeability of polyester/viscose blended needled nonwovens. 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 punching densities. Air permeability of sixty nonwovens was determined by performing standard test method and the data obtained from tests were statistically analyzed with the Design Expert software. In conclusion, blend ratio of polyester-viscose fibers in web, fabric mass per unit area and needling density have major effects on the air permeability of nonwovens and the generated statistical model has given satisfactory predictions about air permeability.