Journal of Materials Science, Vol.43, No.8, 2754-2760, 2008
Anisotropy in structure and mechanical properties of perpendicular-laid nonwovens
This study addresses the three-dimensional structure and mechanical properties of perpendicular-laid nonwovens produced from PET and PET/PE bicomponent fibers. Two different web-forming methods, air folding and mechanical folding systems, have been employed to produce the perpendicular-laid nonwovens. It is proved that both systems can produce well-developed perpendicular-laid structures. A comparison has been made between mechanical properties and fiber orientation distribution function (ODF). ODFs at three faces of nonwovens were analyzed by image analysis techniques using the two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (2D FFT). Further, mechanical measurements were performed at various azimuthal directions to investigate the related mechanical responses in three-dimensions.