Kuitukankaat

Kuitukankaat, often translated as nonwovens or technical textiles, are sheet or web structures made directly from fibers or plastics, bonded by mechanical, thermal, or chemical means. Unlike traditional textiles which are woven or knitted, kuitukankaat do not have inherent structure from interlacing yarns. Their production involves laying fibers into a random or oriented web, which is then consolidated.

The raw materials for kuitukankaat can include natural fibers like cotton and wool, as well as synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, and viscose. The manufacturing process typically starts with fiber opening and blending, followed by web formation using methods like carding or air-laying. The web is then bonded. Mechanical bonding involves entangling fibers, often through needle-punching. Thermal bonding uses heat to melt and fuse thermoplastic fibers. Chemical bonding employs adhesives to bind the fibers together.

Kuitukankaat possess a wide range of properties depending on the fibers used and the manufacturing process, allowing for diverse applications. They can be designed to be absorbent, strong, permeable to air and water, insulating, or flame-retardant. This versatility makes them suitable for numerous industries. In hygiene products, they are used for diapers and sanitary pads. In the medical field, they form surgical gowns, masks, and wound dressings. The automotive industry utilizes them for car interiors and insulation. They are also found in geotextiles for civil engineering, filtration media, and even in household goods like cleaning cloths and furniture.