Neulattu

Neulattu is a Finnish term that translates to "needled" or "pricked" in English. It most commonly refers to a process of mechanical treatment of materials, particularly in the textile and paper industries. In textile manufacturing, neulattu describes a non-woven fabric production method where fibers are interlaced and mechanically bonded together using barbed needles. These needles repeatedly penetrate a web of fibers, pushing them down and through the web, creating a dense and strong fabric structure. This technique is used to produce a variety of products, including insulation materials, cleaning cloths, and interlinings for garments.

In papermaking, the term neulattu can also describe a process where a felt or fabric is treated with needles. This can be done to modify the surface texture or to improve the drainage properties of the felt. The specific application and resulting properties of a neulattu material depend heavily on the type of fibers used, the density of the needling, and any subsequent treatments. The term itself is derived from the Finnish word "neula," meaning needle.