1. Fabric Construction: Non-Woven Fabric
Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Fabric Construction:
Non-Woven Fabric

2. Non-woven fabrics Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Non-woven fabrics are usually made in one of two ways. Bonded fabrics and felted fabrics. Fibres are turned into fabric without being spun into yarns as they are in knitted and woven fabrics. The fibres are arranged into layers, either randomly or uniformly which are then held together by felting or by bonding.

3. Felt Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Wool felt is the most common non-woven fabric. Facts about wool felt are as follows:
It is produced by using short staple fibres from wool which are curly.
These fibres have scales along them.
When heat and moisture are applied to wool fibres they curl up and the scales lock together.
This is why when you wash a natural wool jumper it shrinks in size and however hard you try you cannot stretch it back.
Wool fibres have scales on them that lock together when they get wet and warm..

4. Bonded fabric Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
There are THREE ways of making bonded fabrics.
Dry laid – a web of fibres is laid into a drum and hot air is pulled through the drum to soften the fibres and they then bond together.
Wet laid – these are made like paper. A solvent is added to the fibres to soften them and release a sticky substance that glues the fibres together. The web of fibres is then laid out to dry.
Direct spun – the fibres are spun onto a conveyer belt and glue is sprayed on. The web is then pressed. If the web is thermoplastic, then it can be bonded without glue.

5. Uses for felts Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics Hats Jackets
Coats
Toys
Snooker table covers

6. Uses for bonded fabrics
Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Uses for bonded fabrics
Disposable cloths
Medical masks
Disposable table linen
Interfacings

7. Properties of non-woven fabrics
Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Properties of non-woven fabrics
Laminated fabrics:
These are made by bonding two or more fabrics together. Some fabrics have foam bonded to them for extra warmth. Sometimes softer fabrics are bonded to pvc for comfort. Other bonded fabrics are breathable and waterproof.
Not very strong
Can be made in a range of weights
Don’t fray
Can be moulded into shapes
Can be made from recycled fabrics
Can be soluble
Can be made to soften with heat and glue (bondaweb)
Easily pill (bobble)
Can be weaker when wet
Can be made permeable
Cheap to produce
Can take some of the properties of the fibres used (felt is warm, polyester wadding is lightweight and elastic).

8. Non-woven fabrics and technology
Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Non-woven fabrics and technology
Some of the new vegetable fibres are used to make felted and bonded fabrics because the fibres are short and so are suitable for felting/bonding.
Non woven fabrics are being used more in industry including filtration, medical uses and insulating.
Many non woven fabrics can use micro-encapsulation technology with things like perfume.
Lyocell is used to make non woven fabrics for things like medical swabs.
Microencapsulation involves the production of microcapsules which act as tiny containers of solids or liquids. These containers release their core contents under controlled conditions to suit a specific purpose. Most microcapsules have diameters between a few micrometers and a few millimeters. Textiles can have microcapsules fixed to their surface that release perfume, or deodorant, or insect repellent for example. Micro encapsulation can also be used for antimicrobial or flame retardant finishes.

9. Key facts to remember The exam:
Fabric Construction – Non-Woven Fabrics
Key words:
Felted
Bonded
Laminated
Micro-encapsulation
Key facts to remember
Felted fibres are pressed together using heat, moisture and agitation
Bonded – webs of fibres are pressed together using adhesives or heat.
Laminated – two or more fabrics bonded together to enhance the properties
Micro-encapsulation –substances that are fixed to the fibre or fabric and then can be activated, such as perfumes.
The exam:
You must be able to identify the appropriate use of non-woven fabrics particularly when the fabric is used as a component in a product to improve quality.