DEGRADATION OF NONWOVEN FABRICS SUITABLE FOR WET WIPES BURIED IN SOIL

Abstract

In this research, biodegradation behaviour of nonwoven fabrics suitable for wet wipes having different fibre types such as regenerated cellulose (viscose and Tencel), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and their blends were investigated. Each nonwoven fabric was buried in soil and test samples were controlled in regular periods. Visual appearance was reported and examined by photographs and microscopic views. According to the changes in visual appearance and weight loss, biodegradation was examined in a systematic way. It has been observed that regenerated cellulose nonwoven fabrics and the PET nonwoven fabrics show big difference under the same degradation conditions. PET fibre content delays biodegradation in the soil and degradation behaviour is similar the content of PET fibre in fabric structure. The higher PET, lower degradation, and the higher cellulosic fibre, the higher degradation was determined for nonwoven fabrics suitable for wet wipes.