Spunbond

Definition and Overview

Spunbond is a nonwoven fabric made by melting resin, forming continuous filaments, layering them into a web, and bonding the fibers together with heat, adhesive, or other methods. Unlike woven fabrics, which interlace warp and weft yarns, or knits, which form loops, it has no woven structure.

Polypropylene is often used as the raw material, but polyester and other materials are also used. Depending on the raw material, fiber thickness, fabric weight, bonding method, and surface finish, the strength, breathability, softness, and appearance can vary greatly.

Characteristics and Texture

Because it is made of continuous long fibers, it generally has less fuzz than nonwoven fabrics made mainly from short fibers, and it tends to achieve good tensile strength. It is lightweight, and can be designed from crisp, paper-like stiffness to a soft texture.

The surface tends to have a uniform appearance with fine fibers layered randomly, and it does not show a woven pattern like a fabric. Products bonded with heat may deform from heat, and breathability and liquid permeability also vary by type.

• It is easy to design a balance between lightness and the required strength.
• While cut edges are less likely to fray, the edges may tear.
• Water repellency, breathability, flexibility, and other properties vary depending on the raw material and processing.

Main Applications

In apparel, it is used for wrapping materials, interlining, and backing materials to prevent quilt batting from coming loose in quilted or padded products. It is often used as an auxiliary material for outerwear, uniforms, and bags, and when used as the outer fabric, the required durability and texture should be carefully checked.

Outside apparel, it is also used for hygiene products, packaging materials, storage items, and agricultural materials. Because the required performance differs by application, for apparel use it is important to check how it feels against the skin, friction, appearance after washing, and sewing suitability.

Selection and Handling Notes

When selecting it, check the raw material, fabric weight, thickness, tensile strength, breathability, flexibility, and whether it is bonded by heat or adhesive. For wrapping materials used with quilt batting, evaluate in an actual combination whether the batting fibers are unlikely to come out and whether the material will not become stiff or tear after sewing.

Resistance to washing and drying, shrinkage, and heat shrinkage depend on the raw material and bonding method. Before mass production, conduct washing tests and determine specifications suitable for the care label. Test ironing and pressing at low temperatures first to prevent melting, shrinkage, and gloss caused by heat.

In sewing, needle holes can become the starting point of tears, so choose the needle size, thread, stitch density, and seam allowance according to the fabric strength. For thin materials, also watch for waviness caused by feeding and visible needle holes, and adjust presser foot pressure and feed settings as needed.

Differences from Similar Terms

Nonwoven fabric is the general term for all sheet materials made without weaving or knitting fibers. Spunbond is one such manufacturing method, and its defining feature is the use of continuous filaments. Therefore, not all nonwoven fabrics are spunbond.

Spunlace is a nonwoven fabric bonded by entangling fibers with water jets, and it is a method that generally makes it easier to achieve softness and a fabric-like texture. Meltblown easily forms very fine fibers, and may be laminated with spunbond for uses that take advantage of filtration performance.

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