Disposable nonwovens

Olefin fiber is an important material for nonwovens (77). The geotextile market is stiU small, despite expectations that polypropylene is to be the principal fiber in such appHcations. Disposable nonwoven appHcations include hygienic coverstock, sanitary wipes, and medical roU goods. The two competing processes for the coverstock market are thermal-bonded carded staple and spunbond, both of which have displaced latex-bonded polyester because of improved strength, softness, and inertness. 

Wipes are used to clean surfaces and can be used in either dry or wet/impregnated form. Disposable nonwoven wipes are increasingly used for diverse personal, household, industrial and medical applications. Global market size of wipes is more than 4 billion USD and is growing rapidly. There are some of foe application areas where foe contaminated environment is undesirable. For example, medical applications, clean room applications, skin care wipes. In such applications we require high level of cleanliness and thus release of particles from foe wipe used for cleaning the surface is totally undesirable and we need to assess lint release characteristics of foe wipes before their use in these applications. The major properties desired in a medical wipe material... 

Ammonium Phosphates. Monoammonium Phosphate [7722-76-1], NH4H2PO4, and diammonium phosphate [7783-28-0], (NH4)2HP04 (or mixtures of the two), have long been used for low cost flame retarding and afterglow prevention of paper, textiles, disposable nonwoven cellulosic fabrics, and wood products (42-44). Ammonium phosphate finishes are resistant to dry-cleaning solvents but not to water. 

Fig. 13. Disposable nonwovens market demand by applications and region (59).

Thus the target for biodegradable nonwovens is to replace synthetic fibers with biodegradable fibers in the disposable nonwovens. One group of disposable nonwovens is the wet laid pulp/polyester spunlaced fabrics mainly for industrial and professional wipe products. Another group of disposable nonwovens is... 

Wet laid disposable nonwovens with flax fiber... 

Van Roekel, Jr, G.J. and De Jong, E. (ed.), Elementary Elax Eibers for Disposable Nonwovens , TAPPl Pulping Conference, 1999 Proceedings, 31 October-4 November, 1999, Ranee Orlando, Orlando, Elorida, 677-682. 

INDA. Code of Practice Comminicating Appropriate Disposal Pathways for Disposable Nonwoven Products to Protect Wastewater Systems. United States Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry 2013. 

It would be desirable for disposable nonwovens to be used as bed linen in hospitals to break the chain in the spreading of infection. They are often used in ORs but seldom for bed linen, except in casualty departments and isolation wards, and are commonly used as incontinence sheets (Fahrbach et al., 1985). 

The potassium, ammonium, or amine salts of interpolymers prepared from monomers such as lauryl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, and maleic acid are of particular utility in the disposable nonwoven industry where there is need for polymers that will absorb and retain water and ionic physiological fluids. " In general, the polymeric coatings give a durable, antistatic, antisoil-able finish to a variety of filamentry materials. 

PP application is hindered by dyeing difficulties, but its cheapness has resulted in very fast growth in the developed world since 1980, especially in carpets, non-wovens, and ropes. Carpet growth is slower in the third world, comparative with disposable nonwovens. However, low cost ropes and nets, and items like geotextiles and agrotextiles are likely to find rapid deployment worldwide. 

The versatility of rayons, coupled with their lower price, makes them suitable for many textile applications. Rayon is used in clothing and home furnishings. Disposable nonwoven garments and products of rayon have been introduced to the consumer in recent years. The stronger rayons have been used in tire cord for several decades but have lost a significant portion of this important market in recent years. Rayon has been used more and more in blends with synthetic fibers, since rayon undergoes less degradation than cotton with durable press and wash-and-wear finishes. 

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