VitaTex non-woven polypropylene (PP) spunbond, marketed as VitaSpun, is a durable, lightweight fabric used in industries such as agriculture, construction, automotive, medical, and more. Below we’ll explain how PP spunbond is made in our facilities and how this manufacturing process gives it its excellent properties.
The melted polypropylene is then forced through a metal plate, called a spinneret, that has hundreds of tiny little holes only fractions of a millimeter . . . .
What is Polypropylene?
Crystalline thermoplastic
Polypropylene (PP) is a rigid crystalline thermoplastic made from propene (or propylene) monomer.
Linear hydrocarbon resin
It is a linear hydrocarbon resin and is the lightest polymer among all commodity plastics.
Homopolymer / Popolymer
Polypropylene is also available as either homopolymer or a copolymer both of which can be greatly boosted with additives.
How is Spunbond made?
Non-woven polypropylene (PP) spunbond is made by bonding hair-like filaments into a fabric sheet.
The process starts by feeding polypropylene pellets into the line and heating them until they melt to a soft toffee-like consistency. The melted polypropylene is then forced through a metal plate, called a spinneret, that has hundreds of tiny little holes only fractions of a millimeter in diameter machined into it to form long continuous hair-like strands called filaments. The filaments fall onto a moving belt which is the start of the formation process from pellet to fabric.
The freshly laid fibres then pass through a series of heated rollers which compress and bond the fibres together to form the final non-woven fabric.
Depending on the application of the finished spunbond fabrics additives may be mixed in at the start of the process or coatings applied to the fabric post-processing. These may allow for the fabrics to be softer, using a softening agent, more moister repellent or absorbent using hydrophobics or hydrophilics, or may have UV additives or coatings applied to maintain a better life span when left in the sun.
What are the characteristics of Spunbond?
Below are some of the key characteristics of nonwoven polypropylene spunbond:
Durable
Cost Effective
Thermal insulating
Non toxic
Recyclable
Lightweight
Breathable
Low electricity conductivity
What is Spunbond used for?
Spunbond has a vast range of uses because it can be manufactured in various colours and thicknesses, and because it blends so well with certain additives to make it fit for its required purpose.
When it comes to disposables, non-woven polypropylene spunbond is used in the manufacture of wipes, sanitary pads, diapers, disposable scrubs and hairnets, masks, carry bags etc.
Due to spunbonds durability, it is widely used in the production of household goods and home furnishing products like upholstery, mattresses and bases, curtains, table covers, chair covers, etc. In the retail space, spunbond fabric is used to manufacture high-quality reusable shopping bags.
Beyond the above spunbond fabric is used in the construction industry for under tile, providing waterproofing and thermal insulation to roofs in homes and commercial properties. In the agricultural sector, spunbond is used for weed control and crop cover to assist in the protection of crops against pests and frost.
There are very few industries that do not use spunbond in one way or another.
Need More Information?
Should you require more information or assistance please visit our website https://www.vitatex.co.za or reach out to us via the VitaTex website contact page.
Spunbond is a type of fabric or material that is made from polypropylene fibers that are spun into a continuous distributed fabric. It is used in a variety of applications, including weed barriers, crop covers, and medical textiles.
The process of making spunbond involves several steps, including:
- Polymerization: This is the process of creating the polypropylene resin that will be used to make the spunbond fabric. The resin is created by mixing propylene and other chemicals and heating them to a high temperature to create a liquid.
- Extrusion: In this step, the liquid resin is extruded through tiny holes in a spinning die, which creates a thin, continuous filament of polymer.
- Spinning: The filaments are then drawn through a spinneret, which forms them into a web of fibers.
- Bonding: The spunbond fabric is then bonded using heat and pressure to create a strong and durable material.
There are several advantages of using spunbond, including:
- Spunbond is strong and durable, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications.
- Spunbond is breathable, which allows air and moisture to pass through it.
- Spunbond is lightweight and easy to handle, which makes it easy to install and use.
Yes, Spunbond can be recycled. It is made from polypropylene, which is a type of plastic that can be recycled and repurposed into new products.
Spunbond is used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, horticulture, construction, and medical textiles. It is also used in consumer products, such as bags, clothing, and home furnishings.
