Development of biaxial stretchable nonwoven paddings using novel polymeric fibers

Nonwoven paddings with superior stretch and recovery properties in both directions with good thermal insulation properties were developed for application in winter clothes. Paddings were developed using a self‐crimping elastic fiber composed of both polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) polymers, polyester fiber balls, polypropylene fiber balls, along with bicomponent as binder fibers at different blending ratios through carding, postthermal bonding, and gluing process. Developed paddings were characterized and analyzed for their biaxial stretch and recovery behavior, elongation under tensile load, stiffness, thermal insulation, and washing stability. In addition, energy loss was calculated and reported from hysteresis curve obtained during 40% loading (stretch) and unloading (recovery) cycle. The results were statistically evaluated to determine whether fiber types and blend ratios have significant effect on nonwoven paddings properties. This study indicates that nonwoven padding composed of naturally crimped elastic fibers: binder fibers (50:50) has ability to stretch around 120‐140% in both directions, 95% total recovery with minimal energy loss upon 40% stretch and recovery cycle, and it has sustainable tensile breaking load around 11 N along cross direction and 20 N along machine direction. It has stiffness load 5 N which is flexible enough for required applications, possesses good thermal insulation properties, and holds their structural properties after five washing cycles. From statistical analysis, ANOVA results exhibited that the used fiber types and their weight percentages significantly affect stretch and recovery, other properties of nonwoven paddings for required application.