Nonwoven fabric

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonwoven fabric, the fibres of the nonwoven fabric consisting of viscose fibres, the viscose fibres comprising 40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.6-1.8 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm; and 40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 0.9-1.4 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm.

1 . A nonwoven fabric comprising fibres, the fibres of the nonwoven fabric consisting of viscose fibres, the viscose fibres comprising:
 40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.6-1.8 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm; and   40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 0.9-1.4 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 1 , the viscose fibres comprising:
 45-55 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.6-1.8 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm; and   44-55 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.2-1.4 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm.   
     
     
         3 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 1 , the viscose fibres consisting of 50 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.6-1.8 dtex and 50 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.2-1.4 dtex. 
     
     
         4 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 1 , the viscose fibres consisting of 50 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.7 dtex and 50 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.3 dtex. 
     
     
         5 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 1 , the viscose fibres further comprising up to 20 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density different from 0.9-1.4 and 1.6-1.8 dtex and/or a length different from 38-42 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 1 , the nonwoven fabric having a dry softness value of 0.4-0.7 N/10 cm and a wet softness value of 0.3-0.5 N/10 cm the softness values being measured using a sample of 160×180 mm attached at its central point to a mounting clip, which mounting clip is attached to a machine used for measuring friction factors according to ISO 8295:1995, which samples are thereafter drawn using a speed of 1000 mm/minute and force as in ISO 8295:1995, through an opening in a test plate, which opening has a stadium shape with a size of 45×15 mm with ends having a radius of 7.5. 
     
     
         7 . A method for producing a nonwoven fabric consisting of viscose fibres, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a mixture of fibres, the fibres consisting of viscose fibres, the viscose fibres comprising:
 40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 1.6-1.8 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm; and 
 40-60 wt-% of viscose fibres having a linear density of 0.9-1.4 dtex and a length of 38-42 mm; 
   carding the fibres and forming a web of fibres on a wire support,   hydroentangling the formed web using at least a first and a second hydroentangling unit, wherein a hydroentanglement energy in the first hydroentangling unit is lower than a hydroentanglement energy in the second hydroentangling unit,   dewatering the hydroentangled web, and   drying the dewatered web at a temperature of 120-150° C.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the hydroentanglement energy at the first hydroentangling unit is 30-40% of the total hydroentanglement energy of the first and second hydroentangling unit and the hydroentanglement energy at the second hydroentangling unit is 60-70% of the total hydroentanglement energy of the first and second hydroentangling unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising using a third hydroentanglement unit, wherein the cumulative hydroentanglement energy in the third hydroentangling unit is higher than the cumulative hydroentanglement energy in the first hydroentangling unit and lower than the cumulative hydroentanglement energy in the second hydroentangling unit. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising pre-wetting the fibres after carding and before hydroentangling.