In the world of nonwoven fabrics,
PET (polyester) and PP (polypropylene) are like two top-tier athletes, each with their own unique strengths. Choosing between them is not a simple decision but an art form that requires a deep understanding of their distinct advantages and how they align with specific application scenarios. Selecting the right material can lead to a significant leap in product performance and cost-effectiveness.
I. PET Nonwoven Fabrics: The Benchmark for High Strength and Heat Resistance
When projects demand stringent requirements for material strength, durability, and heat resistance, PET nonwoven fabrics are a reliable choice.
Exceptional strength and dimensional stability: PET fibres exhibit outstanding tensile and tear resistance, resulting in nonwoven fabrics with a robust structure that resists deformation. This makes them ideal for applications such as geotextiles (e.g., reinforcement of road and railway embankments, dam protection) and roofing waterproofing membrane base fabrics, where they can withstand prolonged exposure to extreme pressure and harsh environmental conditions.
Excellent high-temperature resistance: PET has a significantly higher melting point than PP (approximately 250°C+), offering superior heat aging resistance. This property makes it an ideal base material for high-temperature filtration materials (such as industrial dust filtration bags) and certain specialised wiping cloths requiring thermal bonding or high-temperature sterilisation processes.
Good chemical resistance and mould resistance: It has good resistance to corrosion from various common chemicals and microorganisms, making it suitable for applications requiring corrosion resistance, such as industrial wipes and protective clothing linings.
Sustainable potential: PET is recyclable and reusable (e.g., rPET fibres from recycled PET bottles), aligning with the current trend towards a circular economy and particularly favoured by environmentally conscious brands.
II. PP Nonwoven Fabric: Lightweight, Hydrophilic, and Economical All-Rounder
PP nonwoven fabric, with its lightweight, cost-effective properties, adjustable hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics, and excellent chemical inertness, is the preferred choice for many disposable or durable daily-use, hygiene, and medical products.
Lightweight, soft, and comfortable: PP fibres have low density, resulting in nonwoven fabrics that are lightweight, fluffy, and soft to the touch. This makes them indispensable in hygiene products (such as baby diapers, feminine hygiene product topsheets/absorbent layers/backsheets) and medical protective clothing, surgical drapes, and masks (especially the critical meltblown fabric filter layer), providing a comfortable wearing experience.
Excellent hydrophobic/hydrophilic adjustability: PP is inherently hydrophobic, but through hydrophilic post-treatment, it can be imparted with excellent liquid (such as urine and blood) absorption and drainage capabilities. This characteristic is the core advantage that dominates the market for sanitary absorbent products (SAP wrapping layers, drainage layers) and disposable medical surgical gowns and drapes (which require fluid barrier properties).
Outstanding chemical inertness and biocompatibility: PP exhibits excellent resistance to most acids, alkalis, and solvents, and is unlikely to cause allergic reactions, meeting stringent safety standards for medical and healthcare products.
High cost-effectiveness and processing convenience: PP raw material costs are relatively low, and due to its moderate melting point (~160°C), it is highly suitable for high-speed, large-scale spunbond, meltblown, and thermal bonding production processes, serving as the foundation for achieving large-scale, cost-effective supply.
III. PET vs. PP Core Advantage Comparison Quick Reference Table
Characteristics/Applications
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PET (Polyester) Nonwoven Fabric
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PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabric
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Core Advantages
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High strength, high modulus, heat resistance, dimensional stability
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Lightweight, soft, cost-effective, excellent chemical inertness
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Heat Resistance
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Excellent (melting point ~250°C+)
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Good (melting point ~160°C)
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Strength/Durability
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Extremely high, excellent tensile and tear resistance
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Moderate to good
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Chemical Stability
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Good, resistant to various chemicals
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Excellent, resistant to acid and alkali solvents
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Hydrophilicity
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Typically hydrophobic, can be hydrophilised
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Naturally hydrophobic, excellent hydrophilisation effect
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Density/Weight
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Heavier
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Extremely lightweight
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Handfeel
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Relatively stiff
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Soft and fluffy
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Cost
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Higher
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Cost-effective
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Environmental friendliness
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Recyclable (rPET)
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Recyclable
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Typical application areas
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Geotextiles, roof waterproofing base fabric, high-temperature filtration materials, reinforced composite materials, durable wiping cloths, special packaging
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Hygiene products (layers of diapers/sanitary napkins), medical protective clothing/masks/surgical drapes, shopping bags/packaging materials, household goods, ordinary wiping cloths
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IV.Keeping pace with trends: Environmental sustainability and functionalisation lead the way
Whether choosing PET or PP, sustainability has become an irreversible industry trend. The application of rPET and recyclable PP is increasingly widespread, and research and development of biodegradable modified materials is accelerating. Meanwhile, functionalisation is another major direction: through post-processing, materials are imparted with special properties such as antibacterial, anti-static, flame-retardant, superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic, etc., to meet the refined needs of medical, protective, and high-end cleaning applications.
