Modifying the Structure and Properties of Flash Spun Webs by Hydroentangling, 2010 Innovative Nonwovens Conference

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The hydroentangling process (a mechanical bonding process using a curtain of high velocity waterjets) transforms the typically stiff, paper-like Tyvek® into an exceptionally soft and flexible fabric. This modified version of Tyvek® is at least 200% stronger and more uniform in directional strength when compared to the existing version. Hydroentangling can function as an intermediary bonding process to current Tyvek® bonding methods to improve its properties. It can also serve as a stand-alone method to bond the unbonded version of Tyvek®, replacing and/or expanding Tyvek® fabric applications into new markets. T-800 fabric is a flash-spun high density polyethylene (HDPE) nonwoven that when thermally bonded is used to manufacture Tyvek®, a product of DuPont™. In this study, three different basis weights of T-800 were used.