Modelling of the bonding process for a non-woven fabric: analysis and numerics

• Published in: Communications in Applied and Industrial Mathematics Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 62 - 81
• Main Authors: Bagagiolo, F., Bertolazzi, E., Marzufero, L., Pegoretti, A., Rigotti, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cagliari Sciendo 01.01.2025; De Gruyter Brill Sp. z o.o., Paradigm Publishing Services
• Subjects: 65M06; 80A19; 80M20; AMS subject classification: 65L05; bonding process modeling; heat equation; non-woven fabric; numerical simulation
• ISSN: 2038-0909; 2038-0909
• DOI: 10.2478/caim-2025-0004

This paper presents research conducted at the University of Trento addressing an industrial challenge from Fater S.p.A. regarding the thermal bonding of non-woven fabrics for diaper production. The problem consists in a possible analysis of the behavior of the bonding process of a non-woven fabric. In particular, the bonding process is not given by the use of some kind of glue, but just by the pressure of two fiber webs through two high-velocity steel-made rollers. The research comprised the formulation and theoretical as well as numerical analysis of analytical, mechanical and thermal models for the stress-strain behavior of the non-woven fabric’s fibers and for the bonding process with heating effects.