Analysis of the tensile strength enhancement technology of TPU film fabric of towel cloth

Overview of Towel Cloth TPU Film Fabric

Tornament TPU film fabric is a composite material that combines traditional textile technology and modern polymer material technology, and is widely used in sportswear, household products and medical protection fields. This fabric not only retains the softness and moisture absorption of traditional terry towels, but also significantly improves its waterproof, windproof and durable properties by covering a cotton or polyester fiber substrate. As a functional coating, the TPU film can enhance the tensile strength of the fabric while giving it excellent elastic recovery.

From the market application point of view, terry cloth TPU film fabric is highly favored for its versatility. In the field of sportswear, it is used to make high-performance sportswear, providing breathability and comfort; in household items such as bathrobes and bed sheets, its waterproof properties make it ideal; in the medical field, the fabric is commonly used In surgical gowns and protective suits, ensure the safety and comfort of medical staff. In addition, as consumers’ demand for environmentally friendly materials grows, the recyclability and low VOC emission characteristics of TPU films further expand its market potential.

However, despite its many advantages, the tensile strength of the terry cloth TPU film fabrics still face challenges. Traditional textiles are prone to tear or deformation when subjected to external forces. Although TPU films can provide certain protection, their adhesion and uniformity directly affect the mechanical properties of the final product. Therefore, how to improve tensile strength through technological innovation has become one of the key directions of industry research. This article will discuss this topic, analyze the key factors affecting tensile strength, and introduce a variety of effective enhancement techniques.

Analysis of factors affecting tensile strength

The tensile strength of the terry cloth TPU film fabric is mainly affected by three key factors: substrate characteristics, the quality of the TPU film and the combination process of the two. The specific role of these factors on product performance will be analyzed in detail below.

1. Substrate properties

The substrate is the core component of the terry cloth TPU film fabric, and its fiber type, structural density and mechanical properties directly affect the overall tensile strength.根据文献[1]的研究，不同纤维材质表现出显著差异。 For example, cotton fibers are known for their natural flexibility and good hygroscopicity, but their tensile strength is relatively low; in contrast, polyester fibers have higher fracture strength and wear resistance, making them more suitable for high-strength applications .

In addition, the fabric structure of the substrate is also crucial. Tightly woven fabrics usually have higher initial strength, but local stress concentrations may occur during stretching due to increased friction between fibers. To optimize this problem, many manufacturers use blending technology to mix cotton fibers with polyester fibers in a certain proportion, thereby achieving an excellent balance of flexibility and strength.

2. TPU film quality

As a functional coating, the physical properties of the TPU film directly determine the stretching performance of the fabric. The thickness, hardness and chemical stability of the TPU film need to be strictly controlled. According to the data from literature [2], although thinner TPU films can reduce weight and improve breathability, their tear resistance is often insufficient; on the contrary, excessively thick TPU films may cause stiffness in the material and reduce the wearing experience.

It is worth noting that the molecular structure of the TPU membrane also has an important influence on its mechanical properties. TPU films with higher soft segment content show better elasticity and ductility, while TPU films with larger hard segment ratios tend to be rigid and high strength. Choosing the appropriate TPU formula requires comprehensive consideration of the needs of the specific application scenario.

3. Combined with process

The bonding method between the substrate and the TPU film is an important part of determining the tensile strength. Currently commonly used bonding processes include hot pressing, adhesive and coating. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Hot pressing method: The TPU film and the substrate are melted and bonded through high temperature and high pressure to form a firm interface layer. This method is suitable for mass production, but if the temperature or pressure is not controlled properly, it may cause substrate damage or TPU membrane aging.

• Adhesive method: Use a special adhesive to fix the TPU film to the surface of the substrate. This method is simple to operate, but there may be a problem of decreasing adhesion during long-term use.

• Coating method: apply the liquid TPU solution evenly on the surface of the substrate and then cure and mold. This method can accurately control the film thickness, but the equipment costs are high.

To sum up, the substrate characteristics, TPU film quality and combination process together constitute the main influencing factors of the tensile strength of the terry cloth TPU film fabric. Optimizing design for these factors is the key to improving product performance.

Technical means to improve the tensile strength of terry cloth TPU film fabric

In order to effectively improve the tensile strength of terry cloth TPU film fabrics, the industry has developed a variety of innovative technologies. These technologies cover multiple aspects such as substrate modification, TPU film improvement and bonding process optimization. The following is a detailed introduction to several main technologies, their principles and effects.

1. Substrate modification technology

The core of substrate modification is to improve the mechanical properties and surface properties of the fiber itself to enhance its binding force with the TPU film. Among them, plasma treatment is a widely used technology. By bombarding the surface of the substrate by plasma, active functional groups can be introduced, thereby significantly improving surface energy and wettability. Literature [3] points out that the bonding strength of the substrate and the TPU film after plasma treatment can be increased by about 30%.

Another common method of substrate modification is fiber surface coating. For example, pretreatment of the fibers with a silane coupling agent can form a crosslinking network on the surface of the fibers, which not only enhances the tensile properties of the fibers but also improves its compatibility with the TPU film. Experimental data show that the tensile strength of substrates treated with silane coupling agent can be increased by 25%-30%.

2. TPU film improvement technology

The improvement of TPU films is mainly focused on optimizing their molecular structure and processing technology. In recent years, nanofiller enhancement technology has become a research hotspot. By adding an appropriate amount of nanoparticles (such as silica or carbon nanotubes) to the TPU film, its mechanical properties can be significantly improved. Literature [4] reported that the tensile strength of the TPU film containing 2% silica nanofiller is more than 40% higher than that of the pure TPU film.

In addition, multi-layer composite technology is also widely used in the improvement of TPU films. By superimposing TPU layers of different performances together, functional partitioned design can be achieved. For example, the outer layer uses a high hardness TPU to enhance wear resistance, while the inner layer uses a high elastic TPU to ensure comfort. This multi-layer structure not only improves the overall tensile strength, but also takes into account other performance indicators.

3. Combined with process optimization

The optimization combined with process mainly involves parameter adjustment and the application of new technologies. For example, in the hot pressing method, by precisely controlling the temperature and pressure curves, it is possible to avoid substrate damage while ensuring sufficient melt bonding of the TPU film. Research shows that the use of gradient heating strategies can increase the binding intensity by 15%-20%.

In addition, ultrasonic welding, as an emerging technology, is gradually replacing the traditional hot pressing method. Ultrasonic welding uses the heat generated by high-frequency vibration to locally melt and combine the TPU film with the substrate, thereby forming a more uniform interface layer. Literature [5] shows that the bonding strength of ultrasonic welding is about 25% higher than that of traditional hot pressing methods.

Through the comprehensive application of the above technical means, the tensile strength of the terry cloth TPU film fabric can be significantly improved, and the diversified needs in different fields can be met.

Comprehensive case analysis: Practice of improving tensile strength of sportswear fabrics in a certain brand

In order to better demonstrate the practical application effect of tensile strength enhancement technology, we selected a case from an internationally renowned sportswear brand for in-depth analysis. The brand has adopted advanced terry cloth TPU film fabric in its new sportswear and has achieved significant performance improvements through a range of technological improvements.

1. Substrate selection and modification

The brand chose polyester fiber as the substrate because of its high initial tensile strength and wear resistance. On this basis, plasma surface treatment technology is used to enhance the binding force between the fiber and the TPU film. By adjusting the plasma power and processing time, the substrate surface energy was successfully increased from the original 30 mN/m to 50 mN/m, greatly improving the effect of subsequent combination processes.

2. TPU membrane formula optimization

In the selection of TPU films, the brand uses improved TPU materials containing 2% silica nanofiller. This material not only maintains its original flexibility, but also significantly improves tensile strength and wear resistance. Experimental results show that compared with ordinary TPU films, its tensile strength is increased by 45%, and its wear resistance index is increased by 30%.

3. Combined with process innovation

In terms of combining processes, the brand has introduced ultrasonic welding technology for the first time. Through comparative testing with traditional hot pressing methods, it was found that ultrasonic welding not only improves the bonding strength, but also effectively reduces energy consumption and production time. The specific data are as follows:

By comprehensively optimizing substrate, TPU film and bonding processes, the brand has successfully increased the tensile strength of its new sportswear fabric from the initial 5.0 MPa to 8.0 MPa, an increase of 60%. This not only meets the strict requirements of the high-end sports market, but also provides valuable experience in the research and development of similar products.

Reference Source

1. Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2018). Fiber Properties and Applications in Textile Engineering. Wiley.
2. Zhang, L., & Chen, W. (2020). Thermoplastic Polyurethane: Fundamentals and Applications. Springer.
3. Lee, K., & Park, H. (2019). Plasma Surface Modification of Textiles for Improved Adhesion. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 136(12), 47211.
4. Wang, X., et al. (2021). Nanofiller Reinforcement in TPU Films: Mechanical and Thermal Performance. Polymer Composites, 42(5), 2234-2245.
5. Brown, R., & Davis, M. (2022). Ultrasonic Welding Techniques for Textile Composites. Advanced Materials Processing, 31(3), 156-168.

Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9579.html” >https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9579. html
Extended reading: https://www.tpu-ptfe.com/post/7731 .html
Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9570.html
Extended reading: https://www.brandfabric.net/300d120d-polyester-punctate-plain-oxford-fabric/
Extended ReadingRead: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9567.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-83-654 .html
Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9398.html