Tensile behavior of virgin and recycled polyester nonwoven filter fabrics

This study deals with two different categories of needle-punched nonwoven fabric samples developed from virgin and recycled polyester fibers. To understand the effect of tensile behavior (strength and extension) of these filters, fabric samples have been developed varying fabric weight, needling density and depth of needle penetration. This study also established the efficacy of use of recycled polyester for preparation of filter fabric. The study revealed that the tensile strength of fabric made using recycled fiber is 8–10% lower compared to virgin. Tensile strength is more in cross direction as compared to machine direction for both virgin and recycled polyester fabrics due to the higher number of fibers oriented in cross direction during cross lapping process. Increase in needling density and depth of penetration has resulted in increase in the extent of tensile strength initially but decrease in the extent of tensile strength later in all the cases of fabric weight. The study further reveals that heavy weight fabric, needling density and depth of penetration results in decrease of elongation at break (%). The elongation at break (%) of fabric prepared from recycled fiber was found to be 7–8% higher in machine as well as in cross direction compared to virgin. Since strength parameter is not very essential in case of filter fabric made of recycled polyester, which is lesser in strength (8-10%) compared to virgin polyester may be considered.