EFFECT OF AIR QUENCHING ON CHARACTERISTICS OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE MELTBLOWN NONWOVEN

Nonwoven products have a wide usage area in many sectors and industries. Meltblowing (MB) is a process presenting versatile and cost effectiveness in the production of nonwovens from polymers. Characteristics of meltblown nonwovens have depended on highly some process variables and polymer used. Although polypropylene generally is preferred in meltblowing process due to its low cost, thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU) elastomers have superior properties. Very limited information has been reported about the characteristics of meltblown TPU nonwovens. In addition to process variables, quenching significantly affects meltblown nonwovens. In this study, the effect of die-collector-distance (DCD), air pressure and air quenching on meltblown TPU nonwoven was investigated. It was observed that air quenching reduces air permeability and increases hydrostatic heads that means the increment in resistance to leakage. Also air quenching increases tear strength of nonwoven. High orientation formed during the production with the assist of air quenching also plays an important role in fiber crystallization.