What Is Non Woven Filter Fabric and Which Type Is Best for Filtration?

What Is Non Woven Filter Fabric?

Non woven filter fabric is a type of nonwoven material designed to trap particles, dust, liquid impurities, or air pollutants.

In real applications, it’s used in:

  • Face masks

  • Air filters

  • Liquid filtration systems

  • Industrial dust collection

  • Automotive filtration

When people talk about filtration nonwoven, the first thing that usually comes to mind is meltblown nonwoven fabric. And that’s correct — meltblown plays a key role. But it’s not the only option.

Why Meltblown Nonwoven Is Commonly Used for Filtration

Meltblown nonwoven fabric is made by blowing melted polymer through very fine nozzles, creating extremely fine fibers.

These fine fibers create:

  • Small pore size

  • High surface area

  • Good particle capture ability

This is why meltblown is widely used in:

  • Mask filter layers

  • Air purifier filters

  • HVAC systems

  • Medical filtration materials

In mask production, for example, the middle layer is usually meltblown. That layer is responsible for actual filtration, not the outer spunbond layers.

Can Other Nonwoven Fabrics Be Used for Filtration?

Yes. Meltblown is important, but other nonwoven types also play a role depending on filtration level and structure requirements.

Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

Spunbond has thicker fibers compared to meltblown.

It is often used as:

  • Support layer

  • Protective outer layer

  • Pre-filtration layer

In many filter products, spunbond is combined with meltblown to create SMS or similar composite structures.

Spunbond alone is not ideal for high-efficiency filtration, but it adds strength and durability.

Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric

Spunlace is softer and more textile-like.

It can be used for:

  • Liquid filtration

  • Wiping and filtering combined applications

  • Certain industrial filtration uses

However, it is less common for fine particle air filtration because fiber diameter is larger than meltblown.

Needle Punched Nonwoven Fabric

Needle punched nonwoven is thicker and stronger.

It is often used in:

  • Industrial dust collection

  • Automotive cabin air filters

  • Heavy-duty filtration systems

Its structure allows airflow while capturing larger particles.

Comparison of Common Nonwoven Filter Fabrics

Type Fiber Fineness Filtration Efficiency Typical Use
Meltblown Very fine High Mask filters, air filters
Spunbond Medium Low to medium Support layer
Spunlace Medium Medium (liquid) Industrial filtration
Needle Punched Coarse to medium Medium Dust collection

In many real products, these materials are combined rather than used alone.

What Determines Filtration Performance?

Filtration efficiency is not decided by material type alone. It depends on:

  • Fiber diameter

  • Fabric weight (gsm)

  • Electrostatic treatment

  • Layer combination

  • Airflow resistance

For example, electrostatic meltblown can significantly increase particle capture without increasing thickness.

In mask production, testing is usually done for:

  • BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency)

  • PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency)

  • Air permeability

Factories normally test samples before confirming mass production.

Air Filtration vs Liquid Filtration

Not all filtration applications are the same.

Air filtration requires:

  • Fine fiber structure

  • Controlled airflow resistance

  • Stable electrostatic performance

Liquid filtration requires:

  • Chemical resistance

  • Wet strength

  • Controlled pore size

This is why material selection must be based on final use.

How to Choose the Right Non Woven Filter Fabric

In practical purchasing situations, buyers usually consider:

  • Required filtration efficiency level

  • Airflow resistance limit

  • Final product structure

  • Durability requirement

  • Cost target

For simple dust filtration, heavy meltblown may not be necessary.
For medical-grade masks, meltblown with electrostatic treatment is essential.

Testing samples under real working conditions is always recommended.

FAQ

Is meltblown always required for filtration?
Not always. It depends on required efficiency. For high-efficiency air filtration, yes. For simple dust blocking, other materials may work.

Can spunbond fabric filter air?
Yes, but mainly larger particles. It is often used as support or pre-filter layer.

What is SMS filter fabric?
SMS combines spunbond–meltblown–spunbond layers. The meltblown layer does the filtering, spunbond adds strength.

Does weight (gsm) affect filtration performance?
Yes. Higher weight often increases filtration but may reduce airflow.

Is electrostatic treatment necessary?
For high-efficiency mask or air filtration, electrostatic charging improves performance significantly.

Can nonwoven filter fabric be customized?
Yes. Weight, width, layering structure, and treatment can all be adjusted.

Why Choose Us for Non Woven Filter Fabric

  • Multiple nonwoven types available

  • Meltblown and composite structures supported

  • Stable quality control

  • Custom weight and width options

  • Export experience for different markets

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about our interlining products or need support in choosing the right solution for your garments, feel free to contact us. Shanghai Weboss New Material Technology Co.,Ltd.is always happy to discuss your requirements and provide professional suggestions.
TEL: +86-21-33608891
FAX: +86-21-33608892
Email: info@webosstex.com

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