Nonwoven Textiles & Synthetic Leather

 Nonwoven textile production takes fibers and essentially tangles them into a tight, compact textile. The fibers are taken through various rollers to separate out the fibers and array them on a belt. The belt eventually runs them into a big set of wheels that crimp the fibers. This allows them to tangle together more easily. The fibers are then sent through a feed that dumps them into a big storage unit with rollers and a belt on one side. The rollers slowly pick up the fibers and send them on to another part of the process that lays the fibers out and presses them together. The crimping of the fibers along with the rollers and press creates friction between the fibers. This friction keeps the fibers together, forming a sort of sheet. This sheet can be finished with an adhesive layer as an extra precaution, so the fibers separate during use.

Synthetic Leather is made in a very different way. It starts with a plastic solution to which a sun-protective mixture is added. A flame-retardant solution is also added as an extra precaution. In another tub or vat colorant is mixed together and once the desired shade is created, the original solution is added to the colorant. This combined mixture is then rolled onto thick paper with a similar texture as real leather. The coated paper is then heated to harden the solution and in doing so the coating takes on the leather texture of the paper. Another layer of vinyl solution is rolled on top the first coating giving the textile more depth. It is then heated again and set into place as a fabric backing is added. Once the backing is attached the paper is pealed off of the vinyl revealing the leather texture. A finishing coat is then added to the synthetic leather for increased durability and protection.

While both textiles are produced in different ways, they are both still tested to make sure their in-use performance is up to standard. These tests can be anything from a stretch test to a flame-retardant test. Whatever tests are run, it is important for the manufacturers to test each batch of textile to make sure it is up to standard and will fulfill in-use expectations.


Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS5Fo6oaTs0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGUZgs2TYTI

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