How Is Mesh Wood Pulp Spunlace Nonwoven Manufactured?

Mesh wood pulp spunlace nonwoven is a type of nonwoven fabric that is manufactured using a process known as spunlacing or hydroentanglement. This process involves entangling fibers using high-speed water jets to create a fabric with specific properties and characteristics. Here's an overview of how mesh wood pulp spunlace nonwoven is manufactured:

Preparation of Raw Materials:

The primary raw material used in the production of mesh wood pulp spunlace nonwoven is wood pulp fibers. These fibers are sourced from wood chips through a process of chemical pulping. The wood pulp is then processed to create a slurry or fiber suspension.

Web Formation:

The fiber suspension is fed onto a moving forming belt or mesh. The mesh can be made of various materials, such as synthetic materials or stainless steel, and it defines the pattern of the final nonwoven fabric. The fiber suspension is spread evenly on the mesh to form a loose fiber mat.

Hydroentanglement (Spunlacing):

High-pressure water jets are directed onto the fiber mat. These water jets have varying pressure levels and are strategically positioned to penetrate and interlace the fibers. The energy from the water jets causes the fibers to intertwine and form a cohesive fabric structure. This entanglement enhances the fabric's strength, stability, and overall quality. During this process, the water also removes any impurities or contaminants present in the fibers.

Mesh Embedding:

In the case of mesh wood pulp spunlace nonwoven, a special variation of the spunlacing process is used. A mesh-like pattern is embedded into the fabric during the hydroentanglement process. This is achieved by positioning the mesh material on top of the fiber mat before the water jets hit the fibers. The high-pressure water jets push the fibers into the openings of the mesh, creating a patterned texture.

Dewatering and Drying:

After the hydroentanglement process, the fabric goes through dewatering steps to remove excess water. This can involve methods like vacuum suction and mechanical pressing. The partially dried fabric is then passed through a drying system, which can include heated rollers, hot air ovens, or other drying mechanisms. This step reduces the fabric's moisture content to the desired level.

Finishing and Quality Control:

Once the fabric is dry, it goes through finishing processes such as calendaring, where the fabric is passed between heated rollers to improve its smoothness and surface texture. Quality control checks are performed to ensure that the fabric meets the required specifications in terms of strength, texture, pattern, and other relevant properties.

Rolling and Packaging:

The finished mesh wood pulp spunlace nonwoven fabric is typically rolled onto large rolls for convenient handling and storage. It can then be packaged for distribution to manufacturers who use it for various applications, such as wipes, hygiene products, medical supplies, and more.

The specific parameters of the spunlacing process, such as water pressure, water jet arrangement, and drying conditions, can be adjusted to achieve different fabric characteristics and textures.