Evaluation of Wetting Behaviour of Nonwoven Fabrics by Different Test Methods
Year 2026,
Volume: 30 Issue: 1
,
114
-
126
,
24.04.2026
Şükran Kara
,
Bengi Gedik
Abstract
Nonwoven fabrics are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Depending on the application, high-performance products can be obtained through raw material selection, web-forming and bonding methods, and advanced finishing processes to ensure cost-effective, flexible, and quickly produced products. One of the common qualifications sought in most nonwoven products is wetting and liquid transfer properties. Depending on the end-use area, this property significantly affects the comfort, functionality, and quick re-use properties of the product. Besides, there are several methods accepted to evaluate the wetting and/or water transfer properties of fabrics. Some of these methods need special testing devices, while some of them are easier to apply and more available. By considering these facts, the purpose of this study was to comparatively investigate the wetting/liquid transfer and drying properties of a wide range of nonwoven fabrics, addressing different technical areas such as wound dressings, cleaning cloths, apparel, and hygienic pads. For this purpose, 13 nonwoven fabrics were tested by the moisture management test (MMT), drop absorption test, drop spread test, contact angle test, and vertical wicking tests. Correlation analysis between different test methods highlighted that drop test results were in very good agreement with contact angle results, but due to the high level of absorbency of the selected samples, MMT and vertical wicking results performed better numerical distinguishability. In addition, the drop spread test provided visual data for the longer-time wetting property of samples compared to the drop absorption and contact angle results.
Ethical Statement
In this study, we undertake that all the rules required to be followed within the scope of the "Higher Education Institutions Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Directive" are complied with, and that none of the actions stated under the heading "Actions Against Scientific Research and Publication Ethics" are not carried out.
Supporting Institution
No funding was received from any institution for this study.
Thanks
Wound dressing, apparel, cleaning cloth, and top sheet nonwoven fabric samples were kindly supplied by Mogul Tekstil San. Tic. A.S. (Gaziantep, Türkiye). The MMT test was performed in the laboratory of Sun Tekstil Industry and Trade Inc. (Izmir, Türkiye). The author thanks the companies for their valuable supports.
References
-
[1] Nonwovens, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics. Industry (INDA). https://www.inda.org/about-nonwovens/ (Access date: 18.09.2025)
-
[2] EDANA. 2025. https://www.edana.org/nw-related-industry/how-are-nonwovens-made
-
[3] Karthik, T., Prabha Karan, C., Rathinamoorthy, R., eds. 2017. Nonwovens: Process, structure, properties and applications. WPI Publishing, India.
-
[4] Batra, S. K., Pourdeyhimi, B. 2012. Introduction to nonwovens technology. DEStech Publications Inc., USA.
-
[5] Wiener, J., & Dejlová, P. 2003. Wicking and wetting in textiles. AUTEX Research Journal, 3(2), 64-71.
-
[6] Wang, F. 2018. Moisture absorption and transport through textiles. In Engineering of High-Performance Textiles (pp. 247-275). Woodhead Publishing.
-
[7] Kissa, E. 1996. Wetting and wicking. Textile research journal, 66(10), 660-668.
-
[8] Petrulis, D., & Petrulyte, S. 2017. Effect of surgical fabrics structure on wetting behaviour. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 29(2), 270-280.
-
[9] Azeem, M., Boughattas, A., Wiener, J., & Havelka, A. 2017. Mechanism of liquid water transport in fabrics; a review. Fibres and Textiles, 4, 58-65.
-
[10] Bahners, T. 2011. The Do's and Don'ts of Wettability Characterization in Textiles. Journal of adhesion science and technology, 25(16), 2005-2021.
-
[11] Pulan, S., Kaplan, S., & Ulusoy, S. 2015. An investigation about liquid transfer characteristics of nonwoven wet wipes including natural components. 2015 (Volume: 22), 100.
-
[12] Pan, N., & Gibson, P. (Eds.). 2006. Thermal and moisture transport in fibrous materials. Woodhead Publishing.
-
[13] Basuk, M., Choudhari, M., Maiti, S., & Adivarekar, R. V. 2018. Moisture management properties of textiles and its evaluation. Current Trends in Fashion Technology & Textile Engineering, 3(3), 50-55.
-
[14] AATCC 195-2020. Test method for liquid moisture management properties of textile fabrics.
-
[15] Zaman, M. W., Han, J., & Zhang, X. 2022. Evaluating wettability of geotextiles with contact angles. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 50(4), 825-833.
-
[16] Song, K., Lee, J., Choi, S. O., & Kim, J. 2019. Interaction of surface energy components between solid and liquid on wettability, and its application to textile anti-wetting finish. Polymers, 11(3), 498.
-
[17] Xu, J., Zhang, F., Xin, B., Wang, C., Yang, D., Zheng, Y., & Zhou, M. (2019). Application of surface wettability modified polypropylene nonwoven in Janus composite fibrous mats for the function of directional water transport. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 30(12), 3038-3048.
-
[18] Hyde, G. K., Scarel, G., Spagnola, J. C., Peng, Q., Lee, K., Gong, B., ... & Parsons, G. N. 2010. Atomic layer deposition and abrupt wetting transitions on nonwoven polypropylene and woven cotton fabrics. Langmuir, 26(4), 2550-2558.
-
[19] Zhu, L., Perwuelz, A., Lewandowski, M., & Campagne, C. 2006. Wetting behavior of thermally bonded polyester nonwoven fabrics: The importance of porosity. Journal of applied polymer science, 102(1), 387-394.
-
[20] Konopka, A., Pourdeyhimi, B., & Kim, H. S. 2002. In-plane liquid distribution of nonwoven fabrics: Part I—Experimental observations. International Nonwovens Journal, (4), 1558925002OS-01100406.
-
[21] Çelik, H. İ., Gültekin, E., & Nohut, S. 2020. Development of an algorithm to determine the liquid spreading area of airlaid nonwoven fabrics by image processing method. Textile and Apparel, 30(2), 83-91.
-
[22] Atasağun, H. G., & Kara, S. 2022. Investigation of moisture management and frictional characteristics of top layers used in disposable absorbent hygiene products. Fibers and Polymers, 23(9), 2577-2585.
-
[23] Gorade, V. G., Chaudhary, B. U., & Kale, R. D. 2021. Moisture management of polypropylene non-woven fabric using microcrystalline cellulose through surface modification. Applied Surface Science Advances, 6, 100151.
-
[24] Kaplan, S., Pulan, S., & Ulusoy, S. 2018. Objective and subjective performance evaluations of wet wipes including herbal components. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 47(8), 1959-1978.
-
[25] Cheema, S. M., Shah, T. H., Anand, S. C., & Soin, N. (2018). Development and characterisation of nonwoven fabrics for apparel applications. J. Text. Sci. Eng, 8(03), 359.
-
[26] Dubrovski, P. D., & Brezocnik, M. 2016. Porosity and nonwoven fabric vertical wicking rate. Fibers and Polymers, 17(5), 801-808.
-
[27] Kara, S. 2023. Mechanical and in-use properties of nonwoven fabrics made of bicomponent microfilament PET/PA fibers. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 115(9), 1533-1542.
-
[28] Kara, S. 2024. Ultrasonic weldability of thick and heavier nonwoven fabrics. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 141(33), e55840.
-
[29] Kara, S. 2022. Seam performance of nonwoven apparel fabrics. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 26(2), 314-320.
-
[30] Sülar, V., & Kara, S. 2025. Surface evaluation of PET/PA nonwoven fabrics for next-generation durable apparel textiles. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 1-15.
-
[31] Kara, S. 2021. Effects of wetting and compression/recovering time on the compressional behaviour of sanitary napkin layers. Industria Textila, 72(4), 368-377.
-
[32] Ala, D. M. 2017. Pamuklu Dokuma Kumaşlarda Islanma ve Kuruma Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi. Ulusal Çukurova Tekstil Kongresi-UÇTEK 2017 (pp.215-221). Adana, Turkey
-
[33] AATCC 79-2014. Absorbency of Textiles.
-
[34] De Boer, J. J. 1980. The wettability of scoured and dried cotton fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 50(10), 624-631.
-
[35] ISO 9073-6:2000 - Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens. Absorption.
-
[36] Ferrero, F. 2003. Wettability measurements on plasma treated synthetic fabrics by capillary rise method. Polymer testing, 22(5), 571-578.
-
[37] Wang, C. X., Liu, Y., Xu, H. L., Ren, Y., & Qiu, Y. P. 2008. Influence of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment time on penetration depth of surface modification into fabric. Applied Surface Science, 254(8), 2499-2505.
-
[38] BS EN 29073-1. Methods of test for nonwovens - Methods of test for nonwovens. Determination of mass per unit area.
-
[39] TSE - TS 7128 EN ISO 5084.Textiles-Determination of thickness of textiles and textile porducts
-
[40] Alassod, A., & Xu, G. 2021. Comparative study of polypropylene nonwoven on structure and wetting characteristics. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 112(7), 1100-1107.
-
[41] Masaeli, E., Morshed, M., & Tavanai, H. 2007. Study of the wettability properties of polypropylene nonwoven mats by low‐pressure oxygen plasma treatment. Surface and Interface Analysis: An International Journal devoted to the development and application of techniques for the analysis of surfaces, interfaces and thin films, 39(9), 770-774.
-
[42] Rengasamy, R. S., Kothari, V. K., Bele, V. S., & Khanna, R. 2011. Liquid sorption behaviour of nonwovens. Journal of the Textile Institute, 102(12), 1019-1030.
-
[43] Yao, B., Y. Li, J. Hu, Y. Kwok, and K. Yeung, 2006. Polym. Test., 25, 677.
-
[44] Ertekin, G. 2017. Tekst. Konfeksiyon, 27, 241.
-
[45] Türkoğlu, G. C., & Üren, N. 2023. Investigating comfort components of non-woven surfaces suitable for the skin layer of sanitary pads. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 26(4), 922-931.
-
[46] Gupta, A. 2014. Design of an absorbent and comfortable sanitary napkin for applications in developing countries (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
-
[47] Bahners, T., & Gutmann, J. S. 2020. Procedures for the characterization of wettability and surface free energy of textiles‐use, abuse, misuse and proper use: a critical review. Progress in
Dokusuz Yüzey Kumaşların Islanma Özelliklerinin Farklı Test Metotlarına Göre Değerlendirilmesi
Year 2026,
Volume: 30 Issue: 1
,
114
-
126
,
24.04.2026
Şükran Kara
,
Bengi Gedik
Abstract
Dokusuz yüzey kumaşlar çeşitli tüketim ürünleri ve endüstriyel ürünlerde kullanım alanı bulmaktadır. Uygulamaya bağlı olarak; hammadde seçimi, tülbent oluşturma ve bağlama yöntemleri ve gelişmiş terbiye işlemleri yoluyla yüksek performanslı ürünler elde edilerek uygun maliyetli, esnek ve hızlı üretim sağlanabilir. Çoğu dokusuz yüzey üründe aranan ortak niteliklerden biri ıslanma ve sıvı transfer özelliğidir. Bu özellik, son kullanım alanına bağlı olarak ürünün konforunu, işlevselliğini ve hızlı tekrar kullanım özelliklerini önemli ölçüde etkiler. Kumaşların ıslanma ve/veya sıvı transfer özelliklerini değerlendirmek için kabul görmüş çeşitli yöntemler bulunmaktadır. Bu yöntemlerden bazıları özel test cihazları gerektirirken, bazıları ise daha kolay uygulanabilir ve daha erişilebilirdir. Bu çalışmanın amacı; yara örtüsü, temizlik bezi, giysi ve hijyenik ped teknik alanlarında kullanıma uygun çeşitli dokusuz yüzey kumaşların ıslanma/sıvı transferi ve kuruma özelliklerini karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemektir. Bu amaçla, 13 farklı kumaş tedarik edilmiş ve nem yönetimi (MMT), damla, yayılma, temas açısı ve dikey emicilik testleri ile test edilmiştir. Farklı test yöntemleri arasındaki korelasyon analizi; damla testi sonuçlarının temas açısı sonuçlarıyla çok iyi uyum gösterdiğini, ancak seçilen numunelerin yüksek emicilik seviyesi nedeniyle MMT ve dikey emicilik sonuçlarının daha ayırt edici olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, damla yayılma testi, numunelerin damla ve temas açısı testi sonuçlarına kıyasla daha uzun süreli ıslanma özelliğine dair görsel veriler sağlamıştır.
Ethical Statement
Bu çalışmada, “Yükseköğretim Kurumları Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Yönergesi” kapsamında uyulması gereken tüm kurallara uyulduğu ve “Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiğine Aykırı Eylemler” başlığı altında belirtilen eylemlerden hiçbirinin gerçekleştirilmediği taahhüt edilmektedir.
Supporting Institution
Çalışma için herhangi bir kurumdan fon alınmamıştır.
Thanks
Yara örtüsü, giysi, temizlik bezi ve hijyenik ped üst katmanları için dokusuz yüzey kumaş numuneleri Mogul Tekstil San. Tic. A.Ş. (Gaziantep, Türkiye) tarafından sağlanmıştır. MMT testi, Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (İzmir, Türkiye) laboratuvarında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yazarlar, değerli destekleri için firmalara teşekkürlerini sunar.
References
-
[1] Nonwovens, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics. Industry (INDA). https://www.inda.org/about-nonwovens/ (Access date: 18.09.2025)
-
[2] EDANA. 2025. https://www.edana.org/nw-related-industry/how-are-nonwovens-made
-
[3] Karthik, T., Prabha Karan, C., Rathinamoorthy, R., eds. 2017. Nonwovens: Process, structure, properties and applications. WPI Publishing, India.
-
[4] Batra, S. K., Pourdeyhimi, B. 2012. Introduction to nonwovens technology. DEStech Publications Inc., USA.
-
[5] Wiener, J., & Dejlová, P. 2003. Wicking and wetting in textiles. AUTEX Research Journal, 3(2), 64-71.
-
[6] Wang, F. 2018. Moisture absorption and transport through textiles. In Engineering of High-Performance Textiles (pp. 247-275). Woodhead Publishing.
-
[7] Kissa, E. 1996. Wetting and wicking. Textile research journal, 66(10), 660-668.
-
[8] Petrulis, D., & Petrulyte, S. 2017. Effect of surgical fabrics structure on wetting behaviour. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 29(2), 270-280.
-
[9] Azeem, M., Boughattas, A., Wiener, J., & Havelka, A. 2017. Mechanism of liquid water transport in fabrics; a review. Fibres and Textiles, 4, 58-65.
-
[10] Bahners, T. 2011. The Do's and Don'ts of Wettability Characterization in Textiles. Journal of adhesion science and technology, 25(16), 2005-2021.
-
[11] Pulan, S., Kaplan, S., & Ulusoy, S. 2015. An investigation about liquid transfer characteristics of nonwoven wet wipes including natural components. 2015 (Volume: 22), 100.
-
[12] Pan, N., & Gibson, P. (Eds.). 2006. Thermal and moisture transport in fibrous materials. Woodhead Publishing.
-
[13] Basuk, M., Choudhari, M., Maiti, S., & Adivarekar, R. V. 2018. Moisture management properties of textiles and its evaluation. Current Trends in Fashion Technology & Textile Engineering, 3(3), 50-55.
-
[14] AATCC 195-2020. Test method for liquid moisture management properties of textile fabrics.
-
[15] Zaman, M. W., Han, J., & Zhang, X. 2022. Evaluating wettability of geotextiles with contact angles. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 50(4), 825-833.
-
[16] Song, K., Lee, J., Choi, S. O., & Kim, J. 2019. Interaction of surface energy components between solid and liquid on wettability, and its application to textile anti-wetting finish. Polymers, 11(3), 498.
-
[17] Xu, J., Zhang, F., Xin, B., Wang, C., Yang, D., Zheng, Y., & Zhou, M. (2019). Application of surface wettability modified polypropylene nonwoven in Janus composite fibrous mats for the function of directional water transport. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 30(12), 3038-3048.
-
[18] Hyde, G. K., Scarel, G., Spagnola, J. C., Peng, Q., Lee, K., Gong, B., ... & Parsons, G. N. 2010. Atomic layer deposition and abrupt wetting transitions on nonwoven polypropylene and woven cotton fabrics. Langmuir, 26(4), 2550-2558.
-
[19] Zhu, L., Perwuelz, A., Lewandowski, M., & Campagne, C. 2006. Wetting behavior of thermally bonded polyester nonwoven fabrics: The importance of porosity. Journal of applied polymer science, 102(1), 387-394.
-
[20] Konopka, A., Pourdeyhimi, B., & Kim, H. S. 2002. In-plane liquid distribution of nonwoven fabrics: Part I—Experimental observations. International Nonwovens Journal, (4), 1558925002OS-01100406.
-
[21] Çelik, H. İ., Gültekin, E., & Nohut, S. 2020. Development of an algorithm to determine the liquid spreading area of airlaid nonwoven fabrics by image processing method. Textile and Apparel, 30(2), 83-91.
-
[22] Atasağun, H. G., & Kara, S. 2022. Investigation of moisture management and frictional characteristics of top layers used in disposable absorbent hygiene products. Fibers and Polymers, 23(9), 2577-2585.
-
[23] Gorade, V. G., Chaudhary, B. U., & Kale, R. D. 2021. Moisture management of polypropylene non-woven fabric using microcrystalline cellulose through surface modification. Applied Surface Science Advances, 6, 100151.
-
[24] Kaplan, S., Pulan, S., & Ulusoy, S. 2018. Objective and subjective performance evaluations of wet wipes including herbal components. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 47(8), 1959-1978.
-
[25] Cheema, S. M., Shah, T. H., Anand, S. C., & Soin, N. (2018). Development and characterisation of nonwoven fabrics for apparel applications. J. Text. Sci. Eng, 8(03), 359.
-
[26] Dubrovski, P. D., & Brezocnik, M. 2016. Porosity and nonwoven fabric vertical wicking rate. Fibers and Polymers, 17(5), 801-808.
-
[27] Kara, S. 2023. Mechanical and in-use properties of nonwoven fabrics made of bicomponent microfilament PET/PA fibers. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 115(9), 1533-1542.
-
[28] Kara, S. 2024. Ultrasonic weldability of thick and heavier nonwoven fabrics. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 141(33), e55840.
-
[29] Kara, S. 2022. Seam performance of nonwoven apparel fabrics. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 26(2), 314-320.
-
[30] Sülar, V., & Kara, S. 2025. Surface evaluation of PET/PA nonwoven fabrics for next-generation durable apparel textiles. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 1-15.
-
[31] Kara, S. 2021. Effects of wetting and compression/recovering time on the compressional behaviour of sanitary napkin layers. Industria Textila, 72(4), 368-377.
-
[32] Ala, D. M. 2017. Pamuklu Dokuma Kumaşlarda Islanma ve Kuruma Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi. Ulusal Çukurova Tekstil Kongresi-UÇTEK 2017 (pp.215-221). Adana, Turkey
-
[33] AATCC 79-2014. Absorbency of Textiles.
-
[34] De Boer, J. J. 1980. The wettability of scoured and dried cotton fabrics. Textile Research Journal, 50(10), 624-631.
-
[35] ISO 9073-6:2000 - Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens. Absorption.
-
[36] Ferrero, F. 2003. Wettability measurements on plasma treated synthetic fabrics by capillary rise method. Polymer testing, 22(5), 571-578.
-
[37] Wang, C. X., Liu, Y., Xu, H. L., Ren, Y., & Qiu, Y. P. 2008. Influence of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment time on penetration depth of surface modification into fabric. Applied Surface Science, 254(8), 2499-2505.
-
[38] BS EN 29073-1. Methods of test for nonwovens - Methods of test for nonwovens. Determination of mass per unit area.
-
[39] TSE - TS 7128 EN ISO 5084.Textiles-Determination of thickness of textiles and textile porducts
-
[40] Alassod, A., & Xu, G. 2021. Comparative study of polypropylene nonwoven on structure and wetting characteristics. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 112(7), 1100-1107.
-
[41] Masaeli, E., Morshed, M., & Tavanai, H. 2007. Study of the wettability properties of polypropylene nonwoven mats by low‐pressure oxygen plasma treatment. Surface and Interface Analysis: An International Journal devoted to the development and application of techniques for the analysis of surfaces, interfaces and thin films, 39(9), 770-774.
-
[42] Rengasamy, R. S., Kothari, V. K., Bele, V. S., & Khanna, R. 2011. Liquid sorption behaviour of nonwovens. Journal of the Textile Institute, 102(12), 1019-1030.
-
[43] Yao, B., Y. Li, J. Hu, Y. Kwok, and K. Yeung, 2006. Polym. Test., 25, 677.
-
[44] Ertekin, G. 2017. Tekst. Konfeksiyon, 27, 241.
-
[45] Türkoğlu, G. C., & Üren, N. 2023. Investigating comfort components of non-woven surfaces suitable for the skin layer of sanitary pads. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 26(4), 922-931.
-
[46] Gupta, A. 2014. Design of an absorbent and comfortable sanitary napkin for applications in developing countries (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
-
[47] Bahners, T., & Gutmann, J. S. 2020. Procedures for the characterization of wettability and surface free energy of textiles‐use, abuse, misuse and proper use: a critical review. Progress in