AIR PERMEABILITY OF JUTE BASED NEEDLE-PUNCHED NONWOVEN FABRICS

Abstract

2have been prepared from jute, chemically texturized jute(TJ) and their blends with polypropylene having jute or TJ as a major component, and the effects of texturization, blend composition, punch density, depth of needle penetration and jute fibre cut length on fabric thickness, fabric density and air permeability studied. The resistance offered to the flow of air through the fabric is much higher for the fabrics made from texturized jute and its blends compared to that for fabrics made from jute and its blends. Air permeability of fabri cs made from texturized jute and its blends decreases with the increase in punch density, whereas the air permeability of fabrics made from jute and its blends having low polypropylene content (10%, 20%) increases with the increase in punch density. As the polypropylene content is increased to 30% and 40%, the trend is reversed. With the increase in needle penetrati on and jute fibre cut length, the air permeability decreases with slight deviation for 100% jute fabric . Random-laid jute/polypropylene (60:40) blended fabric exhibits higher thickness, lower density and higher air permeability compared to its cross-laid counterpart. Correlation between sectional air permeability and reciprocal of fabric density is observed in most of the fabric s. However, it is found to be highly significant for fabrics made from jute, TJ and their blends with 30% and 40% polypropylene.