Nonwoven fabric is a type of material that is made from fibers that are bonded together without being woven. The spelling of "nonwoven fabric" is pronounced as /nɒnwəʊvən fæbrɪk/. The pronunciation of the word "nonwoven" is transcribed as /nɒnwəʊvən/, which contains the phonemes /n/, /ɒ/, /w/, /əʊ/, and /v/. The word "fabric" is transcribed as /fæbrɪk/, which contains the phonemes /f/, /æ/, /b/, /r/, /ɪ/, and /k/. Therefore, the correct spelling of this word is "nonwoven fabric."
Nonwoven fabric refers to a type of textile material that is produced by webs or fibers that are entangled or bonded together rather than being woven together like traditional fabrics. In nonwoven fabrics, the fibers are directly laid or formed into a sheet or web, and then they are bonded together through various techniques such as chemical, thermal, or mechanical processes.
This type of fabric is typically made from synthetic fibers or a blend of both synthetic and natural fibers. Nonwoven fabrics can be categorized into three main types: spunbound, meltblown, and needlepunched fabrics. Spunbound fabrics are made by extruding continuous filaments of fibers that are then randomly laid and bonded together, resulting in a strong, durable fabric. Meltblown fabrics, on the other hand, are produced by melting thermoplastic polymers and then extruding them through tiny nozzles, forming small fibers that are collected and laid into a web. Needlepunched fabrics are created by mechanically entangling the fibers using barbed needles.
Nonwoven fabrics exhibit various properties such as high strength, low cost, lightweight, and excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. They are commonly used in a wide range of applications including medical and hygiene products (such as surgical gowns, wipes, diapers, and face masks), filtration media, geotextiles, automotive interiors, packaging, and construction materials. Due to their versatility and ease of manufacturing, nonwoven fabrics have gained popularity as a reliable alternative to traditional woven fabrics in numerous industries.
The word "nonwoven fabric" consists of two components: "non-" and "woven".
1. "Non-" is a prefix derived from the Latin word "non" meaning "not". It is commonly used to indicate negation or absence in English words.
2. "Woven" is the past participle of the verb "weave". The term "weave" is derived from the Old English word "wefan", which means "to form by interlacing threads". It also has Old High German and Old Norse origins.
Hence, combining the two components, "nonwoven fabric" refers to a type of fabric that is not woven, meaning it is not created by the traditional interlacing of threads used in woven fabrics.