Spunbond and spunlace fabrics are both nonwoven fabrics, but there are distinct differences in their structure and manufacturing process.
Spunbond fabric is produced by mechanically bonding random-laid fibres into a cohesive fabric using thermal, mechanical, or chemical methods. The fibres are typically continuous filaments, which are drawn from spinnerets and placed into a random pattern on a conveyor belt. The fibres are then bonded together using various techniques, such as point-to-point bonding, needling, or hydroentanglement. The resulting fabric has a dense and uniform structure with good physical properties, such as strength and abrasion resistance.
In contrast, spunlace fabric is produced using a wet-laid process that involves the use of chemical binders to entangle fibres into a nonwoven fabric. The fibres, typically short-staple fibres such as cotton or polyester, are dispersed in water and then passed through a series of screens and rollers to form a web. Chemical binders are applied to the web, which is then passed through calender rolls to enhance its uniformity and physical properties. The resulting fabric has a more open and porous structure compared to spunbond fabric, providing better air and moisture permeability.
The main difference between spunbond and spunlace fabrics is their structure and manufacturing process. Spunbond fabric has a dense and uniform structure with good physical properties, while spunlace fabric has a more open and porous structure with better air and moisture permeability. This difference in structure and properties allows spunlace fabric to be used in applications that require a combination of strength, softness, and breathability, such as medical dressings, filters, and sanitary napkins.
In addition to their differences in structure and properties, spunbond and spunlace fabrics also have different manufacturing processes and raw materials requirements. Spunbond fabric is produced using mechanical bonding methods, which require less energy and chemicals compared to spunlace fabric, which uses chemical binders. However, the raw materials used for spunbond fabric are typically continuous filaments, which require more complex manufacturing equipment compared to short-staple fibres used for spunlace fabric.
Overall, spunbond and spunlace fabrics are both nonwoven fabrics with distinct differences in structure, properties, and manufacturing processes. The selection of the appropriate fabric type depends on the specific application requirements, such as strength, softness, breathability, and cost.
