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TPU – an exciting raw material for manufacturing nonwovens
Industry, agriculture, textiles, outdoor equipment – the applications for thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer-based (TPU) nonwovens are extremely diverse. Each of the numerous TPU elastomer types has very specific properties in terms of elongation, tenacity, wear abrasion resistance and hardness as well as varying resistances to oils, lubricants, oxygen and ozone. TPU can be used to manufacture nonwovens that have high elastic flexibility and durability with simultaneously astonishing softness and a pleasant handle.
One of the leading manufacturers of high-tech polymer materials, of which thermoplastic polyurethane is one, is Covestro, a company headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. In comprehensive research work conducted in collaboration with Covestro, Oerlikon Nonwoven has acquired expertise covering the properties and processing of various types of TPU. Because manufacturing nonwovens from TPU is not always without its problems. The various types of TPU elastomer do not always react in the same way in the spinning process.
TPU elastomers respond very sensitively to temperature fluctuations. As even the tiniest temperature changes have a huge impact on the viscosity, a consistently even temperature distribution across the entire width of the spinning beam is absolutely essential. The special CFD-based (Computational Fluid Dynamics) spinning beam constructions supplied by Oerlikon Nonwoven Meltblown and the Spunbond systems ensure consistent melt dwell times and are perfectly suited for processing TPU elastomers. The distinctive melt pipes prevent depositing of the, in part, extremely sticky TPU melt.
TPU also bio-based for greater sustainability
Consumer demand for sustainable plastics is also increasing in the nonwovens segment. Covestro is working on making TPU sustainable by using in part bio-based plastic content, recycled materials and ISCC-certified mass balance resources. The result: the Desmopan® CQ range. Some types of TPU in the Desmopan® CQ range contain ingredients that are produced up to 60% from biomass. And, compared to fossil-based TPU, total CO2 emissions can be reduced by more than 20% without any concessions in terms of quality and performance. Other types comprise up to 100% recycled material, which reduce the consumption of fossil resources and the amount of plastic waste.
Covestro’s Desmopan® and Desmopan® CQ provides the unique elastic and tactile properties of TPU both for meltblown and the spunbond production. This way, these materials are extending the application spectrum of nonwovens and simultaneously enabling nonwoven manufacturers to improve their sustainability performance. To this end, nonwovens made from Desmopan® and Desmopan® CQ can, for example, be utilized as support layers for synthetic TPU-based leather or vegan leather. TPU nonwovens let air in and moisture escape and are therefore excellently suited for using in items such as jacket linings. Or as TPU geotextile sandbags – which are more durable than those manufactured using woven yarns. And Oerlikon Nonwoven supplies the appropriate spinning technology for this.
