Numerous studies have been conducted on the use of nonwoven fabrics for avariety of automotive parts. In particular, thermally bonded polyethylene terephthalate(PET) nonwoven fabrics, prepared from PET staple fibers, are widely used because of theirexcellent heat insulation, sound absorption ability, moldability, morphological stability, andlow weight and cost. In this study, thermally bonded PET nonwoven fabrics were preparedby using sheath-core-type low melting point (LM PET) staple fibers as binders. These fabricsare composed of a sheath (LM PET) and a core (regular PET), which allow the fabricationof the PET-only nonwoven composites without the use of any additional binders.
During the heat treatment of the nonwoven fabrics, the sheath portion melts easily at acertain processing temperature and serves as a binder for the nonwoven composites. Furthermore,the effects of the manufacturing conditions, such as the processing temperature,time, and pressure, on the physical properties of the PET nonwoven fibers wereinvestigated. The macroscopic morphology, fracture behavior, shore hardness, anddynamic properties of the PET nonwoven fabrics were analyzed as a function of the manufacturingconditions.