30 Years Of Big Ideas

摘要

The writer is fortunate to have been able to attend the Association for the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry's (INDA) first IDEA show, held in Philadelphia in 1971, and most of the IDEA shows since then. Much of the nonwoven technology 30 years ago was based primarily on modified textile technology, with textile opening and carding systems constituting the major web formation methods. The exception was the Rando-Web machine, which early on found its way into the nonwovens industry, and which still survives in an improved version. The major binders used for nonwovens were based mainly on SBR and acrylic latexes. Latex suppliers were in a rapid growth mode. Rayon was the key fiber for dry-laid nonwoven fabrics. Many nonwoven products used waste fibers and were sold as low-cost disposable replacements for textile products. Diaper coverstock was primarily a rayon-based nonwoven. Applications for polyester staple fiber-based nonwovens were limited by relatively high fiber "prices. Wet-laid nonwovens were broadening their base to include disposable consumer applications.