Review of Multi-Ply Nonwoven Forming, 1998 Multi-Ply Forming Forum Proceedings

Nonwoven manufacture has almost always involved some aspect of multilayer forming. In its simplest form the use of multilayer structures was designed to produce either the required web weight, the required web bulk or both. More often now, multilayer structures are designed such that the final product offers characteristics arising from the combined properties of individual components which were difficult, or even impossible to achieve from a single component.

The development of multilayer structures within the nonwovens industry has progressed rapidly since the early days when it was driven by technological demands in sectors as diverse as for example, aeronautics/space, medical, horticuhure/agricultural and filtration. The conceptual possibilities of combining a vast array of raw materials, web laying, bonding and finishing techniques are virtually unlimited, restricted almost entirely by the ability to continue to develop innovative and novel products. Multilayered nowovens made up of different layers with different property and performance profiles are no longer a rarity. The development is not restricted to the domain of staple fibre nonwovens. but is increasingly being adopted for wet-laid and spunbonded nonwovens as well.