Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) of Leeds, UK underlined its growing profile in the industry when R&D manager Mark Smith gave a keynote presentation to delegates. FET specialises in the development, design and manufacture of processing equipment to produce technical fibres for biomedical and industrial applications. The R&D team at FET conducts processing trials and investigations to assist clients in their development of new polymers and fibrous products and have a very active programme of in-house research projects to extend processing capabilities.
With this background and expertise, Mark Smith was selected to present a technical paper entitled “Melt Spun Nonwovens from Engineering Resins.” This presentation examined a number of questions, such as how high melt viscosity polymers with high melting temperatures can be successfully melt spun to form nonwoven webs; what sorts of polymers can be processed using the methods and equipment developed; what are the unique properties and characteristics of the resulting fabrics; and what new opportunities such nonwovens offer.
FET’s expertise in melt spinning has enabled further research into the application of melt spun nonwovens to engineering resins. This includes development work in extending FET’s success with bicomponent capability to the nonwoven applications. Many challenges remain with this research, but FET continues to utilise and upgrade its in-house Process Development Laboratory to test and research process development in this field, in conjunction with clients worldwide.
