ABSTRACT
Nonwovens usually consist of at least two components; the fiber and the binder. Obviously, the characteristics of this combination must be primarily derived from the physical and chemical properties of the individual components and their mutual interactions, which are also a function of their arrangement in space. The bonding strength and efficiency for a given amount of binder in a nonwoven is clearly dependent on the surface properties of the fiber in terms of topology and chemical interaction with the binder. The cross-sectional shape of a fiber is subject to infinite variation, and the anticipated effects of some of the standard geometries in non-woven structures. An intriguing consequence of the geometrical phenomenon follows from a scrutiny of the comparative flexibilities of regular polygonal fibers of constant perimeter. The majority of conventional adhesives used in commercial nonwovens do not form discrete chemical bonds across the binder-fiber interface and the adhesion obtained must be attributed to some other type of interaction.
