This document discusses nonwovens used as medical textiles. It begins by introducing how nonwovens were used during World War II for their barrier properties and disposability. It then outlines various applications of nonwovens in the medical field such as bandages, surgical clothing, and replacing organs. The document discusses materials, manufacturing processes like spunbonding and meltblowing, post treatments, and concludes that demand for medical nonwovens will continue growing.

1. M.L.V. Govt. Textile & Engineering College
A
Seminar
on
NONWOVENS AS MEDICAL TEXTILES
Submitted To :- Submitted By :-
Department of Textile Abhinav Jagetiya
Technology VII Sem , TT
On 7 AUG.2012
09EMBTT002

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

3. Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

4. Introduction
The use of nonwovens in medical arena goes back to the time of
Second World War when need for new and large volumes of
medical product had arisen. In several reports published,
nonwovens were regarded as the most effective materials for
bacterial barriers.
Nonwovens give a performance much better than woven in terms
of cost-effectiveness, disposability etc. In hospitals, cross-
contamination is always one of the biggest problems which were
attributed largely to re-using of woven gowns, masks and other
similar articles which would get contaminated and spread the
germs. Nonwovens are more cost effective alternative which are
disposable and reduced the problem of cross-contamination
greatly.

5.  Introduction
Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

6. Why nonwoven for medical products????
The properties which make nonwovens the best choice for medical
products are:
• Excellent barrier properties
• Superior efficiency
• Better performance (comfort, porosity, thickness and weight, water
vapor transmission, air permeability etc.)
• Increased protection for user (better physical properties like
tensile, tear resistance, abrasion resistance etc.)
• Easy to sterlize.
• Economical manufacturing process.

7.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
Applications of nonwovens in medical
field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

8. Applications of nonwovens in medical textiles
Bandages
Simple bandages
Light support bandages
Orthopedic bandages
Cotton pads, wound dressings and adhesive tapes

9. Contd.
Disposable surgical clothing:
Gowns Masks
Caps

10. Contd.
Disposable surgical coverings:
• Blankets
• Floor coverings of hospitals (anti-bacterial)
• Cloths/ wipes
Drapes Bed coverings

11. Contd.
Nonwovens are used to replace or repair different
organs, bones like artificial kidney, liver, heart,
mechanical lung, ligaments, vascular grafts, heart
valves, blood vessels, artificial skins, nasal strips
etc.

12.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

13. Material used in medical nonwoven
The fibers used in medical nonwovens can be classified in natural
and synthetic categories.
Natural fibers:
• Wood pulp
• Cotton
Synthetic fibers:
• Polypropylene
• Polyester
• Polyamide
• Rayons

14.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

15. Manufacturing Process
Various techniques are used for manufacturing of nonwovens but
some of the techniques that are used specially for the Medical
applications point of view are as follows:
Spun bonding
Spunlacing
Meltblowing
Needle punching
Wet laid
Dry laid

16. Spun bonding
Spun bonding is used when more strong webs are needed.
Webs produced are soft, porous and dimensionally stable.
Spun bonding is mostly used for products like :-
 Face masks
 Head wears
 Shoe covers
 Bed linens and
 Disposable clothing .

17. Flow chart of
Supn bonding
Processes

18. Manufacturing Processes

19. Characteristics and Properties of
Spun Bonded Fabrics
The characteristics of spun bonded web are:-
• The fibrous structure is random.
• Opacity/area of the web is high.
• The web weight range between 10- 200 g/m2.
• Typical web thickness lies between 0.2- 1.5 mm.
• Good fray and crease resistance.
• High tear strength.
• High strength compared to other nonwoven, woven, and knitted
structures.

20. Application
In medical applications many traditional materials have been replaced by
high performance spun bonded webs. The particular properties of spun
bonded webs, which are responsible for medical use, are:
 Breathability
 Resistance to fluid penetration
 Lint free structure
 Sterilizability and,
 Impermeability to bacteria.
Medical applications include: disposable operating room gowns, shoe
covers and sterilizable packaging.

21.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
Post processes
 Conclusion
 References

22. Post processes
Post process for medical nonwovens is to give the product a
suitable finish for its specific end use. The different types of
finishes used in medical nonwovens are:
• Soil Release Agents: For bed linens, gowns and apparel which are
designed for multiple usages. May also be used on curtains,
blankets etc.
• Softeners: To make the webs feel soft against the skin. May be
used for disposable pillows, bed sheets etc.
• Water repellents: Used for bed sheets for kids, barrier apparel etc.
• Flame Retardant Finishes: Used for bed linens, curtains, apparel,
lab coats etc.
• Antibacterial Finish: Very commonly applied to gauzes, dressings
and sutures. The most popular one is silver nanocrystal finish.

23.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
Conclusion
 References

24. Conclusion
Medical textile market is totally saturated with nonwoven products
today. Nonwovens, because of their easily modifiable properties
and excellent performance have become indispensable in this field.
Medical and Hygiene sectors combined together consume more
than 90% of the total nonwoven production in US. On the other
hand, in developing countries of Asia, Africa and South America,
demand for medical nonwoven is increasing significantly as a
result of a fast-growing, young, health-conscious population. In
future, the demand of nonwovens in medical field is expected to
grow steadily.

25.  Introduction
 Why nonwoven for medical products????
 Applications of nonwovens in medical field
 Material used
 Manufacturing processes
 Post processes
 Conclusion
References

26. References
• http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/pdfdownload.asp?
filename=1445&article=1445&status=new
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Spunbond%20Technology.htm
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Spunlace.htm
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Melt%20Blown%20Technology.htm
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Needle%20Punched%20Nonwovens.htm
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Wet%20Laid%20Nonwovens.htm
• http://web.utk.edu/~mse/Textiles/Dry%20Laid%20Nonwovens.htm