Investigation of the mechanical and dispersible properties of wood pulp/Danufil wetlaid nonwovens with/without hydroentanglement

A new wiping product prepared by wetlaid/spunlace (wetlace) method possess dispersibility and fully degradability. To obtain the excellent products, the present research first investigates the apparent microstructures, mechanical properties and dispersibility of wood pulp/Danufil wetlaid nonwovens with/without hydroentanglement. The results suggest that fibers are stacked and some of the fiber cohesions occurred on the surface of wetlaid nonwoven. After hydroentanglement, a 3D entanglement skeleton formed by Danufil fibers is found to determine the mechanical and dispersion properties of nonwovens, while wood pulp ensures the dispersion properties and is attributed as the main component of the nonwovens. The breaking extension and tearing strength of nonwovens have been improved significantly and the material with decreasing dispersibility becomes soft. Meanwhile, the dispersion of wetlaid and wetlace nonwovens over time both show linear fitting trend. The increase in content and length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of Danufil fiber results in the increase in tensile and tearing strength, and the decrease in bending rigidity and dispersion performances of materials. Moreover, the wetlaid nonwovens developed in this study may become promising candidate for the disposable sanitary products.