Effect of Process Parameters on Tensile Strength of Sansevieria and Areca Husk Fiber Needle-Punched Nonwoven Fabrics

The present study intends to determine the optimum process conditions for needle punching the nonwoven fabrics produced from blends of sansevieria and areca husk fibers. The Box-Behnken experimental design is used for the optimization of the fabric weight (200-400 g/m(2)), punch density (150-250 punches/cm(2)), and blend ratio (30:70-70:30) with respect to the tensile strength of the nonwoven fabrics and to evaluate the effects and interactions of the needle punching process conditions. The optimum process conditions were obtained at a fabric weight of 400 g/m(2), 250 punches/cm(2), and 70:30 blend ratio. Nonwoven fabric with a highest breaking force of 17.58 N in the machine direction and 36.51 N in the transverse direction was obtained at the optimum process conditions. The nonwoven fabric developed from this study can be used as a floor covering material in the construction field.