What is Meltblown fabric? It is a fabric made of polypropylene and its fiber diameter can be 1 to 5 microns. Different kinds of anti-wrinkle ability fluffy structures and voids are available. Meltblown fabrics have excellent oil absorption, heat insulation, filtration and shielding capability. Thanks to the distinct capillary structure of the ultra-fine fibers that increases surface area and the number of fibers per unit area thereby providing them with the exquisite qualities.
Uses of Melt Blown Fabrics
These fabrics can be used in –
- Isolation materials
- Air
- Mask materials
- Liquid filtering materials
- Thermal insulation materials
- Absorbing materials
- Wiping cloths
- Oil-absorbing materials
Production Procedure of Melt Blown Fabrics
These fabrics undergo a number of processes –
Polymer feeding -> melt extrusion -> fiber formation -> fiber cooling -> forming net -> strengthening to form cloth.
Different Applications of Melt Blown Fabrics
- Health-related and Medical Cloths
Diapers, masks, protective clothing, surgical gowns, disinfection wraps, etc
- Cloths for Home Decoration
Bedsheet, table cloth, wall cloth, etc.
- Garment Clothes
Shaped cotton, wadding, adhesive lining, leather-based clothing, etc
- Agricultural Cloths
Thermal insulation curtains, irrigation cloth, cloth for raising seedlings, cloth for crop protection, etc.
- Industrial Fabric
Geotextile, filter material, cement packaging bag, insulating material, fabric for covering, etc.
- Other Miscellaneous Purposes
Teabags, cigarette filters, linoleum, space cotton, thermal insulation cloths, etc.
Medical Masks
Melt blown fabric is the key element for N95 and surgical masks. N95 and surgical masks you see in the market usually have a multi-layered structure which is referred to as “SMS structure”? What do you mean by that?
“S” – the inner side is a single layer
“M” – the middle is the melt-blown layer which can be multiple or single
“S” – outer side is spun-bond layer
Flat Masks
These masks usually have PP Spunbond, Meltblown and PP Spunbond layers. One of the layers can, however, be replaced with some staple fiber for improving skin touch.
Three-Dimensional Cup Masks
These masks are made of PET polyester needle-punched cotton, Meltblown and PP Spunbond non-woven or needle-punched cotton fabrics. Its outer layer is made of non-woven fabric that undergoes waterproof treatment. The Meltblown layer in the middle comprises of specially treated Meltblown fabric that has extraordinary oil absorption, shielding, filtering and heat-insulating properties. The inner layer is made of normal non-woven fabric.
Thus, it is evident that Meltblown fabric is a very crucial raw material in mask production though different masks are manufactured in different processes.
