Fibrous Nonwoven Web Strength via Hydroentanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fibrous nonwoven webs for wipes require synthetic binder or reinforcing fibers to achieve high mechanical strength, which negatively impacts sustainability and biodegradability, and often use petroleum-based materials that complicate wastewater treatment.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous hydroentangled nonwoven web composed primarily of pulp and lyocell fibers, with a weight ratio of 90:10 to 50:50, which provides high mechanical strength without synthetic fibers, using only biodegradable and renewable materials, and a production process that reuses chemicals, ensuring environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic binder or reinforcing fibers are used to achieve high mechanical strength, then the tensile strength of the nonwoven web is improved, but the sustainability and biodegradability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes synthetic binder or reinforcing fibers from the nonwoven web composition. By eliminating these harmful synthetic components (petroleum-based materials), the patent achieves high tensile strength through alternative means - specifically through the fiber composition itself (cellulosic fibers combined with natural or synthetic fibers) and the hydroentangling process, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the fiber composition by specifying that cellulosic fibers constitute 30-90 wt% and natural or synthetic fibers constitute 10-70 wt% of the total weight. This parameter change allows the web to achieve high mechanical strength without synthetic binders, as the combination of fiber types and the hydroentangling process create sufficient strength while maintaining biodegradability and sustainability.
2Strength
If petroleum-based binder materials are used to provide mechanical strength, then the structural integrity of the web is improved, but the environmental friendliness and wastewater treatability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates petroleum-based binder materials from the nonwoven web. By removing these harmful components that complicate wastewater treatment and harm the environment, the patent achieves mechanical strength through the hydroentangled fiber structure itself, where the physical interlocking of fibers provides integrity without requiring synthetic binders.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs biodegradable fiber compositions that can be easily decomposed in wastewater treatment systems. The use of natural fibers and cellulosic fibers that are environmentally friendly and readily biodegradable allows the web to serve its purpose and then be easily disposed of without harming the environment or complicating wastewater treatment, contrasting with persistent petroleum-based binders.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different fiber materials are employed to achieve required properties, then the functional performance is improved, but the product complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves multi-functionality through a versatile fiber composition system where cellulosic fibers (30-90 wt%) provide base structure and absorbency, while natural or synthetic fibers (10-70 wt%) contribute strength and durability. This universal composition framework can be adapted to produce different web variants for various applications (wipes, medical textiles, hygiene products) without fundamentally changing the core fiber material system, thus reducing complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by allowing flexibility in the specific types of natural or synthetic fibers used within the 10-70 wt% range, enabling optimization for specific applications while maintaining the overall simple two-component fiber system. This allows tailoring of local properties (strength, softness, absorbency) without increasing the fundamental number of fiber material categories.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The web achieves tensile strength values up to 250 N/5cm dry, with high water retention and liquid absorption capacities, surpassing commercial products, while maintaining sustainability and biodegradability, and can be tailored for various applications without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
The fibrous nonwoven web is hydroentangled and comprises pulp and lyocell fiber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fibrous nonwoven web, a method for its preparation as well as to uses of the novel fibrous nonwoven web.