Fabric Types and Films
Fabrics are classified into five categories as listed here; Films however have only one category.
Fabrics-Woven
Construction
Formed by the regular interweaving of filaments or yarns, in two directions perpendicular to one another.
Factors Influencing Weldability
Thread density, tightness of weave and uniformity of material thickness. Weld strength may vary due to the perpendicular orientation of filaments or yarns.
Fabrics – Nonwovens
Construction
Formed by bonding and/or interlocking fibers, yarns or filaments by mechanical, thermal or solvent means.
Factors Influencing Weldability
Uniformity of material thickness and thermoplastic content. The random orientation of fibers gives nonwovens excellent strength.
Fabrics – Knits
Construction
Formed by interconnecting continuous loops of filaments or yarns.
Factors Influencing Weldability
Thermoplastic content, style of knit and elasticity of material. Elasticity of knits may affect the trueness of the weld in continuous
Fabrics – Coated Materials
Construction
Fabrics and films covered with a layer of thermoplastic such as polyethylene or urethane. The base material need not be thermoplastic (e.g. coated cardboard)
Factors Influencing Weldability
Coating material and its thickness.
Fabrics – Laminates
Construction
Fabrics and films consisting of two or more dissimilar layers in a sandwich form.
Factors Influencing Weldability
The mating surface should have a lower melting temperature than the other layers.
Films
Construction
Formed from the thermoplastic material which has been cast, extruded or blown into a film, generally under 0.01 inch (0.25mm) thick.
Factors Influencing Weldability
Film thickness, density and thermoplastic material characteristics.
Weldability
Many factors influence the weldability of the various fabric and film types. Please send in your material to our laboratory for free feasibility testing.