Journal of Textile Research ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (01): 25-33.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20240201401

• Fiber Materials • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Flash spinning-hydroentangling process of high-density polyethylene microfibrous tarpaulin and its waterproof and permeable performance

YE Kongmeng1, QIN Zixuan2, KANG Guitian3, LI Sai2, HAN Dexiao4, ZHANG Heng2()   

  1. 1. Jiangsu Qingyun New Materials Co., Ltd., Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, China
    2. College of Intelligent Textile and Fabric Electronics, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 451191, China
    3. Hi-Tech Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
    4. BW Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., Beijing 100043, China
  • Received:2024-02-14 Revised:2024-05-30 Online:2025-01-15 Published:2025-01-15
  • Contact: ZHANG Heng E-mail:m-esp@163.com

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Abstract:

Objective Tarpaulin, as a physical barrier material, has functions including protection, humidity and heat regulation and asthetic decoration, and has been widely applicated in material storage, safeguarding sports facilities, and concealing military equipment. However, conventional tarpaulins, such as coated fabric and multi-layered composites, demonstrate poor flexibility, limited conformity, and inconvenient portability, because of the high-density and large-thickness of the material. Hence, the development of such fabrics with a combination of high-strength and light weight properties has emerged as a focal point in the sphere of sports, safety protection, and functional textiles.

Method As a commercial strategy for preparing micro-nanofibrous fabrics, a flash spinning process has the advantages of rich source of raw materials and high production efficiency. Unfortunately, the flash spinning process is still mainly associated with thermal bonding process, and the prepared micro-nanofibrous fabrics show poor hand feeling, i.e., strong plastic texture feeling. The hydroentangling technology is known for preparing flexible fibrous webs using high speed water jet to intertwine the fibres. Herein, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microfibrous fabrics were prepared by using the flash spinning-hydroentangling process, and their morphological structure, mechanical properties, water and moisture permeability and radiation cooling characteristics were experimentally studied.

Results The prepared HDPE microfibrous fabric samples showed a typical nonwoven structure. The circular microfibers with the diameter between 1-6 μm were randomly distributed in the fabric plane, forming a dense microfibrous network with spunlaced nonwoven structural characteristics. The tensile breaking strength of 55 g/m2 samples was higher than that of 45 g/m2 polypropylene melt blown nonwovens (about 10.2 times in the longitudinal direction and 11.3 times in the transverse direction) and 20 g/m2 polypropylene spunbonded nonwovens (about 3.1 times in the longitudinal direction and 4.5 times in the transverse direction), which is roughly equivalent to 70 g/m2 viscose and polyester spunlaced nonwovens. Moreover, benefiting from the macromolecular structure of HDPE with low surface energy and the smooth surface of HDPE microfibers, the samples showed excellent resistance to common liquids, such as water, milk, tea and cola. The hydrostatic pressure increased from 4 557.1 Pa to 4 905.5 Pa, the hydroentangling energy increased from 1 699.3 kJ/m2 to 8 299.7 kJ/m2, while the air permeability and moisture vapor permeability reached 45.1 mm/s and 1 805.1 g/(m2·24 h), respectively. The radiation cooling temperature of the prepared samples was found to be 11.2 ℃ lower than that of the pure cotton fabrics. The HDPE microfibrous fabrics demonstrated high softness, high foldability, good portability and excellent conformability. The folded area of the sample with a spreading area of 15 cm×17 cm was reduced to 1/20. It could be rolled into 3 cm balls or folded into 3 cm×5 cm rectangular handkerchiefs. It is gratifying that HDPE microfiber fabrics are highly suitable for printing, markers, crayons, and other writing tools, delivering clear results. This opens up possibilities for enhancing functions such as aesthetic decoration, camouflage protection, and safety signage on tarpaulins.

Conclusion The HDPE microfiber fabric prepared by the flash spinning-hydroentangling process overcomes the limitations of poor hand feeling and strong plastic texture feeling associated with the flash spinning process, while offering high strength, excellent softness, waterproofness and permeability. It is suitable for high-strength, light weight tarpaulins, providing new possibilities for the development of functional products such as sports equipment, outdoor protection, and military gear.

Key words: flash spinning, hydroentangling, high-density polyethylene, microfiber material, nonwoven technology, outdoor protection, tarpaulin, waterproof and permeable

CLC Number: 

  • TS176

Fig.1

Schematic diagram of flash spinning-hydroentangling nonwoven process"

Tab.1

Main parameters of hydroentangling process"

样品
编号		 单位
面积质量/
(g·m-2)		 厚度/
mm		 孔隙率/
%		 水刺压力/
MPa		 布进速度/
(m·min-1)		 水针能量/
(kJ·m-2)
1# 55 0.393 85.3 6 3 1 699.3
2# 55 0.389 85.1 7 3 2 105.9
3# 55 0.350 83.5 8 3 2 821.9
4# 55 0.323 82.8 9 3 4 703.2
5# 55 0.277 82.7 10 3 8 299.7
6# 90 0.573 84.7 10 3 8 299.7
7# 95 0.614 84.6 10 3 8 299.7
8# 100 0.731 85.1 10 3 8 299.7
9# 105 0.757 85.4 10 3 8 299.7
10# 110 0.783 85.9 10 3 8 299.7

Fig.2

SEM images of surfaces and sections of samples prepared at different hydroentanglement energies"

Fig.3

Structure characteristic parameters of samples. (a) Fiber diameter distribution of 55 g/m2 samples; (b) Pore size distribution of samples prepared at different hydroentanglement energies;(c) Pore size distribution of samples with different mass per unit area"

Fig.4

Force-displacement curves during tensile break process. (a) Tensile curves in longitudinal direction; (b) Tensile curves in transverse direction"

Tab.2

Mechanical properties of samples"

样品
编号		 断裂强力/
N		 断裂伸长
率/%		 顶破
强
力/N
纵向 横向 纵向 横向
1# 103.8 68.9 27.2 18.3 112.0
2# 105.1 70.1 29.4 18.6 121.8
3# 106.3 70.5 29.7 19.1 133.1
4# 128.2 84.0 32.1 22.6 136.3
5# 134.6 84.7 32.7 23.3 138.7
6# 162.5 138.0 53.3 69.9 230.7
7# 187.7 144.6 55.6 70.9 241.7
8# 198.3 145.1 58.9 74.4 264.1
9# 216.3 157.3 62.9 75.0 289.7
10# 217.8 168.0 66.3 78.6 301.3
聚丙烯熔喷非织造材
料(45 g/m2)		 13.1 7.5 16.0 85.7 17.3
聚丙烯纺黏非织造
材料(20 g/m2)		 43.8 18.7 16.1 58.7 —
粘胶水刺非织造材
料(70 g/m2)		 130.1 61.8 36.6 74.7 —
涤纶水刺非织造材
料(70 g/m2)		 140.8 57.7 47.0 118.1 —

Tab.3

Waterproof and permeable performance of samples"

样品
编号		 耐静
水压/Pa		 透气率/
(mm·s-1)		 水蒸气透过率/
(g·(m2·24 h)-1)
1# 4 557.1 60.6 2 165.6
2# 4 688.7 56.9 2 017.9
3# 4 779.3 52.8 1 968.3
4# 4 804.1 49.3 1 313.0
5# 4 905.5 45.1 1 805.1
6# 6 096.7 48.3 2 321.2
7# 6 241.3 40.8 2 145.9
8# 6 356.3 39.2 1 819.8
9# 6 538.6 36.2 1 706.4
10# 6 695.7 30.8 1 676.6

Fig.5

Images of forms liquid droplets on samples surface"

Fig.6

Image of waterproof and permeable performance tests"

Fig.7

Radiation cooling performance of samples. (a) Transmittance curves; (b) Reflectance curves; (c) Temperature curves"

Fig.8

Softness scores of samples with different water-needle energies (a) and mass per unit area (b)"

Fig.9

Optical images of high portability (a), irregular fitting (b) and printing performance (c) of samples"

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[1] YANG Haifu, LUO Lijuan, SHI Jianjun, MA Xiaoguang, ZHENG Zhenrong. Preparation of flame-retardant and waterproof multifunctional polyester tarpaulin [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2023, 44(06): 168-174.
[2] XIA Lei, CHENG Bowen, XI Peng, ZHUANG Xupin, ZHAO Yixia, LIU Ya, KANG Weimin, REN Yuanlin. Research progress of flash spinning nano/micro-fiber nonwoven technology [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2020, 41(08): 166-171.
[3] ZHANG Xing, LIU Jinxin, ZHANG Haifeng, WANG Yuxiao, JIN Xiangyu. Preparation technology and research status of nonwoven filtration materials for individual protective masks [J]. Journal of Textile Research, 2020, 41(03): 168-174.
[4] WANG Caihua. Simulation analysis of the effect of hydroentangling nozzle geometry on the breakup length of water-jets [J]. JOURNAL OF TEXTILE RESEARCH, 2008, 29(7): 100-103.
[5] GAO Zong-wen;ZHAO Jia-xiang . New development of tarpaulin products [J]. JOURNAL OF TEXTILE RESEARCH, 2005, 26(2): 144-145.
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