Anisotropy in structure and mechanical properties of perpendicular-laid nonwovens

This study addresses the three-dimensional structure and mechanical properties of perpendicular-laid nonwovens produced from PET and PET/PE bicomponent fibers. Two different web-forming methods, air folding and mechanical folding systems, have been employed to produce the perpendicular-laid nonwovens. It is proved that both systems can produce well-developed perpendicularlaid structures. A comparison has been made between mechanical properties and fiber orientation distribution function (ODF). ODFs at three faces of nonwovens were analyzed by image analysis techniques using the twodimensional Fast Fourier Transform (2D FFT). Further, mechanical measurements were performed at various azimuthal directions to investigate the related mechanical responses in three-dimensions