Composite Wadding of Down Fibers Encapsulated in Fabrics.

Down fiber is one of the most superior materials, with excellent thermal properties, that can be used in bedding, clothing, and so on. Down products are usually encapsulated in fabrics that are more compact and, therefore, impart an anti-drilling performance. In this study, down fibers were encapsulated in polypropylene melt-blown nonwoven fabric, and also in polyester woven cloth, to form two different kinds of composite waddings. The waddings made of down fiber encapsulated in melt-blown nonwoven fabrics have a superior moisture permeability, thermal insulation, and anti-drilling performance, and a slightly inferior air permeability compared to that of waddings made with traditional woven fabrics. The pore fractal dimensions of melt-blown nonwoven fabrics are larger than that of woven fabrics. The relationship between the fractal dimension and performance of waddings explains the difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]