What are the standards and optimum specifications for polyester staple fibers suitable for needle punch nonwovens?
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 10
Needle Punch method nonwoven fabrics are increasingly being used in various industrial fields such as automotive interior materials, sound-absorbing materials, and industrial mats.
Since this process uses high temperatures and mechanical pressure at the same time, the properties of the fibers are key factors directly related to product quality.
In particular, polyester staple fibers are widely used for reasons such as structural stability, heat resistance, and price competitiveness, and the selection of their specifications has a significant impact on the durability and productivity of the product.
Fibers for Needle Punch: What Criteria Are Important?
Factor | Standard/Range | Description |
Cut Length | 64mm ~ 76mm | Enhances fiber entanglement and maintains structural stability after needle punching |
Denier | 6D ~ 15D | Adjustable thickness depending on application. Thicker fibers (e.g., 15D) are used for automotive mats and sound-absorbing materials |
Crimp | 4 ~ 8 crimps per inch | Increases fiber bulkiness and elasticity, improves bonding strength between fibers, and enhances overall nonwoven strength |
Tenacity | Minimum 4.5 g/d | Prevents fiber breakage and ensures process stability during high-speed needle punching |
When selecting a fiber suitable for the Needle Punch process, several factors must be comprehensively considered, such as cut length and denier.
Cut Length
First of all, the cutting length is generally used as a standard at 64mm or 76mm.
This helps to strengthen the intertwining between fibers and maintain the structure of the product well even after needle punching.
Denier
Denier is usually selected between 6D and 15D, and the thickness is adjusted according to the product's use. For example, relatively thick fibers are used for car mats and sound absorbing materials.
Crimp
Crimp is an important factor that affects the volume and elasticity of the fiber.
A crimp of about 4 to 8 crimps/inch is generally advantageous for stable needle punch forming, and increases the bonding strength between fibers, thereby improving the strength of the entire nonwoven fabric.
Tensile Strength (Tenacity)
The tensile strength (Tenacity) of the fiber itself is also very important. Since the needle punching process is carried out at high speed and mechanical impact is repeated, a strength of at least 4.5 g/d must be secured to prevent the fiber from breaking and maintain stability during the process.
The Needle Punch process is a high-level nonwoven technology that requires mechanical durability, dimensional stability, and productivity. Therefore, the balance between the fiber properties and process optimization is very important.
DK FIBER supplies polyester staple fibers optimized for Needle Punch for automotive, construction, and industrial nonwovens, and also supports customization according to customer applications and facility conditions.
