What Is Nonwoven Fabric?
Nonwoven Fabric is an engineered fibrous sheet made without weaving or knitting. Its fibers or filaments are formed into a web and given structural integrity by mechanical, thermal or chemical bonding. Spunbond forms continuous filaments directly from molten polymer, meltblown forms much finer polymer fibers using heated high-velocity air, and needle-punched fabric mechanically entangles staple fibers with barbed needles. Performance depends on polymer or fiber selection, web orientation, basis weight, thickness, bonding, finishing and converting conditions.
Common Specifications Buyers Compare
SpecificationCommon OptionsBuyer Note
Process and structureSpunbond; meltblown; needle-punched; SMS or SMMS composite; laminated or coated nonwoven.State the main web-forming and bonding route; process determines fiber form, pore structure, loft and achievable performance.
Material compositionPP, PET, PE, viscose, polyester staple, polypropylene staple, wool blends and bicomponent fibers.Name every polymer or fiber and identify virgin, recycled, bicomponent, natural or blended content before price comparison.
Basis weightSupplier-dependent; light, medium and heavy constructions are available across different processes.Use GSM with a tolerance and confirm the test method because weight affects coverage, strength, absorbency and material yield.
Thickness and compressionSupplier-dependent; low-loft spunbond and meltblown differ from high-loft needle-punched structures.Measure thickness under an agreed pressure and foot size because compression changes the apparent thickness of bulky nonwovens.
Roll formatCustom width and roll formats subject to line capability and shipment limits.Specify finished and usable width, edge trim, roll length, core, diameter, weight and winding direction for machine compatibility.
Mechanical performanceTensile strength, elongation, tear, burst, puncture or seam-related performance.Require MD and CD values where orientation affects tensile, elongation, tear, shrinkage or web handling.
Air permeabilityAir permeability for coverstock, filtration, insulation and breathable barrier constructions.Define air flow, pressure, test area and reporting units because air permeability is not comparable across different conditions.
Filtration performanceParticle filtration, bacterial filtration, oil or water aerosol filtration and dust-loading performance.For filters, define efficiency and pressure drop together; improving one can reduce the other unless structure and charge are controlled.
Main Applications
Spunbond is used for hygiene backsheet and topsheet components, packaging, agricultural covers, medical disposables, construction membranes and lightweight protective products.Meltblown is selected for fine-fiber filtration, absorbent layers, oil sorbents and composite barrier structures where high surface area matters.Needle-punched nonwovens are used for geotextiles, automotive insulation, carpet underlay, roofing, filtration, furniture padding and heavy-duty industrial products.SMS and SMMS composites combine spunbond strength with meltblown filtration or barrier performance in hygiene, medical and protective applications.
How Buyers Should Source It
- Separate process selection from fabric weight. Two fabrics with the same GSM can differ substantially in thickness, pore structure, filtration, softness and tensile balance.
- Ask for a technical data sheet and a retained production sample from the same lot. A laboratory swatch may not represent roll-to-roll variation or converting behavior.
- For spunbond, confirm filament denier, web orientation, bonding pattern, hydrophilicity, corona treatment and whether the fabric is single-beam or multilayer.
- For meltblown, request fiber-diameter range, basis-weight profile, electrostatic treatment if applicable, charge-retention data and pressure-drop performance at the intended flow condition.
- For needle-punched fabric, confirm staple-fiber type and length, pre-needling, needle density, punch frequency, calendering, loft recovery and whether a scrim or carrier is included.
- Do not use the word breathable as a standalone requirement. Specify air permeability, water-vapor transmission, moisture vapor resistance or another measurable property.
- Match sample width and roll format to the production trial. A material that passes a hand check may fail because of edge curl, static, roll hardness or feeding tension.
- For recycled polymer or fiber, request the stated recycled fraction, source description, lot controls, odor limits and contaminant controls because these can affect color and processing stability.
- Agree on inspection, sampling and retest rules before bulk production. Nonwoven variation can occur across width, along the roll and between production lots.
RFQ Checklist
- State the process as spunbond, meltblown, needle-punched or a defined composite because process choice controls fiber diameter, loft, strength and cost.
- Confirm polymer or fiber composition, including virgin or recycled content, additives, colorant, hydrophilic or hydrophobic treatment and any restricted-substance requirements.
- Specify target GSM and tolerance because basis weight affects coverage, strength, filtration, absorbency, opacity and material consumption.
- State finished width, usable width, roll length, roll diameter, core size, winding direction, roll weight and maximum splice frequency for converting compatibility.
- Request thickness at an agreed pressure because nonwoven thickness changes with compression and cannot be compared reliably without a test condition.
- Define machine-direction and cross-direction tensile, elongation, tear, burst or puncture requirements according to the product’s failure mode.
- For filter media, specify filtration efficiency, pressure drop, flow rate, face velocity, aerosol or particle challenge and conditioning before comparing supplier data.
- For barrier products, define hydrostatic pressure, strike-through, repellency or liquid holdout requirements together with the exact test liquid and exposure time.
- For absorbent products, define capacity, retention, rate of absorption, rewet, extractables and test fluid because a high-loft web may not perform well under compression.
- Specify bonding type and pattern, such as thermal calender, through-air, resin, latex or needle entanglement, because bonding changes softness, strength, loft and linting risk.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating spunbond, meltblown and needle-punched fabrics as interchangeable despite their different fiber structures and bonding methods.
- Specifying GSM without confirming thickness, density, tensile direction and functional performance.
- Requesting a hydrophobic finish without defining the liquid, test method, contact time and acceptance limit.
- Approving a sample made from virgin resin when production will use recycled content or a different additive package.
- Comparing meltblown filtration results from different laboratories without aligning aerosol, flow rate, face velocity and conditioning.
- Ignoring roll hardness, telescoping, splice frequency and winding direction when the material feeds an automated converting line.