Types of Nonwoven Fabric – A Complete Guide to Nonwoven Fabric

Nonwoven fabrics have become an essential material in industries ranging from healthcare to construction. Unlike woven or knitted fabrics, nonwovens are made directly from fibers, without the need for weaving or knitting. This makes them versatile, cost-effective, and suitable for both disposable and durable applications.

In this guide, we’ll explore the types of nonwoven fabric, how they are made, and where they are used—helping buyers, manufacturers, and designers choose the right material for their needs.

What Are Nonwoven Fabrics?

Nonwoven fabrics are engineered materials made from short or continuous fibers that are bonded together through mechanical, chemical, or thermal methods.

Key Characteristics:

• No weaving or knitting required
• Can be made from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a blend
• Properties can be tailored for softness, strength, absorbency, filtration, or durability

Significance in Modern Industries:

• Used in medical PPE, hygiene products, automotive interiors, filtration systems, agriculture covers, and geotextiles
• Offers flexibility in weight, thickness, and finish
• Often more cost-effective for high-volume production

How Are Nonwoven Fabrics Made?

The manufacturing method determines the fabric’s texture, strength, and functionality. The three primary bonding processes are:

1. Mechanical Bonding – Fibers are entangled using needling, hydroentanglement, or air turbulence.
2. Chemical Bonding – Adhesives or binders are used to bond fibers together.
3. Thermal Bonding – Heat and pressure fuse thermoplastic fibers into a fabric structure.

Major Types of Nonwoven Fabrics (By Manufacturing Process)

1. Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Continuous filaments are extruded, cooled, and laid into a web before being thermally bonded.
• Properties: Lightweight, strong, breathable, UV-resistant.
• Applications: Medical gowns, agriculture covers, packaging, shopping bags.

2. Meltblown Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Molten polymer is extruded through fine nozzles with high-speed air to create microfibers.
• Properties: Excellent filtration efficiency, soft texture, low tensile strength.
• Applications: Face mask filters, air and liquid filtration, oil absorbents.

3. Spunlace / Hydroentangled Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: High-pressure water jets entangle fibers without chemicals.
• Properties: Soft, drapable, lint-free.
• Applications: Wet wipes, medical drapes, cleaning cloths.

4. Needle-punched Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Barbed needles mechanically entangle fibers to form a dense fabric.
• Properties: High strength, abrasion resistance.
• Applications: Carpets, automotive interiors, geotextiles.

5. Airlaid Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Fibers are dispersed in air and bonded using latex or thermoplastic binders.
• Properties: Highly absorbent, bulky.
• Applications: Diapers, feminine hygiene products, table napkins.

6. Wet-laid Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Fibers are suspended in water, deposited on a screen, and bonded chemically or thermally.
• Properties: Smooth surface, uniform texture.
• Applications: Tea bags, medical dressings, filtration media.

7. Dry-laid Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Fibers are carded and layered before bonding.
• Properties: Customizable strength and softness.
• Applications: Insulation materials, wipes, mattress padding.

8. SMS (Spunbond + Meltblown + Spunbond) Nonwoven Fabric

• Process: Layers of spunbond and meltblown are combined for multi-functional performance.
• Properties: Barrier protection, breathability, durability.
• Applications: Surgical gowns, protective clothing, industrial filters.

Application-Based Classification of Nonwoven Fabrics

1.Medical & Hygiene: Face masks, surgical gowns, diapers, sanitary pads.

2. Agriculture: Crop covers, seed blankets, weed control fabrics.

3. Automotive: Headliners, carpeting, insulation.

4. Construction & Geotextiles: Road underlays, erosion control mats.

5. Home Furnishing: Upholstery backing, mattress covers, curtains.

6. Filtration: Air filters, water filters, oil filters.

7. Packaging: Reusable bags, gift wraps, protective wraps.

How to Choose the Right Nonwoven Fabric

• Application Needs: Select based on strength, softness, or absorbency.
• Durability: For reusable applications, opt for spunbond or needle-punched types.
• Barrier Properties: For filtration or PPE, choose meltblown or SMS.
• Cost: Consider production volume and material type.
• Environmental Impact: Opt for biodegradable or recyclable options when possible.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between spunbond and meltblown nonwoven?

Spunbond fabrics are strong and durable, while meltblown fabrics are fine and ideal for filtration.

2. Which nonwoven fabric is best for face masks?

A combination of spunbond (outer layers) and meltblown (filter layer) in SMS structure is ideal.

3. Are nonwoven fabrics biodegradable or recyclable?

It depends on the fiber type—natural fibers are biodegradable, while synthetic ones can be recycled.

4. How strong is nonwoven fabric?

Strength varies from lightweight disposable types to heavy-duty needle-punched variants.

5. What are SMS fabrics used for?

They are widely used in medical gowns, protective clothing, and high-efficiency filtration.