• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.33 no.11
• /
• pp.1696-1706
• /
• 2009

Nonwoven fabrics have been widely used in various fields that include household, industrial, agricultural, medical goods, especially in the automobile industry. In this study, eco-friendly fiber materials were developed and investigated as a substitute material for polyester fibers in nonwovens. To make plant fiber bundles, stems of Indian mallow (IM), and Kuzu vine (KV) were retted; in addition, the non-cellulose component was partially removed. Plant fiber bundles and polyester fibers (P) were blended and needle punched to produce nonwovens. Five kinds of nonwovens were manufactured: P100 (Polyester 100%), IM10 (IM 10% and Polyester 90%), IM20 (IM 20% and Polyester 80%), KV10 (KV 10% and Polyester 90%), and KV20 (KV 20% and Polyester 80%). The color values, surface appearance, tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, abrasion strength, flexstiffness, moisture regain, water or oil absorbency, and static electricity of manufactured nonwovens are investigated. As the blended ratios of IM or KV increased, the brightness of nonwovens decreased compared to that of polyester 100%. Tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion strength, and flexstiffness of IM10 as well as KV10 were higher than those of P100, IM20, and KV20, resulting from the influence of the structure and properties of nonwoven fibers. Moisture regain and water or oil absorbency increased, while static electricity decreased in proportion to the amount of plant fibers. IM or KV and polyester blended nonwovens showed improved properties over P100 that could be substituted for P100 as a novel material for textiles.