Abstract
The effects of needle design parameters (total number of barbs, barb spacing and kick-up size), needling density and fiber web basis weight on the mechanical properties (breaking energy, tear strength and puncture resistance index) of the needle-punched fabrics were studied. The total number of barbs and the barb spacing showed significant effects on the needle-punched fabric's properties while the kick-up size did not. The breaking energy increased as the needling density was increased up to a certain level of needling density. The tear strength was decreased as the needling density increased. Due to the sizes of the clamp, the probe and the samples, the puncture resistance index did not show significant difference with the needling density. The fiber-web basis weight enhanced the mechanical properties of the fabrics.