The Role of Structure on Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Fabrics

The mechanical properties, namely, tensile modulus, maximum stress in tension and elongation at maximum stress of thermally point-bonded nonwoven fabrics with different bonding temperature have been evaluated. Image acquisition and analysis techniques have been used to quantify structural parameters such as fiber orientation distribution function, bond-region strain, and unit cell strain during controlled-deformation experiments and to identify failure mechanisms. We have shown that an in situ experimental visualization and measurement of the structural changes occurring during controlled-deformation experiments can help establish links between mechanical properties and the structure properties of nonwoven fabrics.