The University of Georgia (UGA) has invested in a new off-site laboratory to support the nonwovens and protective fabrics industry.

Headed by Dr. Gajanan Bhat, the new facility will produce and test various nonwoven materials to help a wide range of manufacturing and related industries. Site engineer Joe Nageotte and technical consultant Mark Snider, a 30-year veteran of the nonwovens industry, also provide oversight of the lab.

A recently-installed Southern Coastal Machinery meltblown line has resulted in the capability to produce fine fiber meltblown media.The new line can process polymers at temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (316 degrees Celsius) and has process air and suction capability to handle the full range of possible substrates.

In addition to the 24-inch wide system, the new laboratory also has a completely refurbished 6 in. meltblown system capable of lower capacity trials for unique polymers and additives. For companies wishing to develop, test and measure statically-charged media, the lab has off-line electrostatic charging capability and the ability to add liquid additives for hydrocharging and surfactant coatings.

Other available process machines include: Mathis Padding and Coating, Sonicated Spray Coating, Slitter/Winder capability, and an SDL Atlas Universal Carding Machine.

Testing services offered by the UGA laboratory include: Filtration Efficiency and Pressure Drop (TSI Model 8130A), Air Permeability (Textest Model FX3300), Absorbency Testing System, Basis Weight and Thickness, Bending Length, charge measurement and longevity tester, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis with Tensile Properties, Elemental Composition and Chemical Structural Analysis (FITR, NMR and XRD), Fiber Diameter and Distribution, Hydrostatic Head (Textest Model FX3000), Polymer /Fiber/Textile characterization, Porosity and Pore Size measurement and Scanning Electron Microscope Photometry (SEM/EDX).

“We are excited to support the nonwovens industry in every way possible,” Bhat says. “Whereas U.S. has limited pilot line capabilities in key nonwoven areas, and the challenges were exposed during the pandemic, this laboratory in UGA will help a wide range of industries to develop next generation protective fabrics, and sustainable materials to meet the current and future needs. These pilot lines will be used by faculty, staff, and students at the university to conduct research, scientists from other universities and laboratories will be able to collaborate, and companies can use the pilot lines and testing facilities.”