A study on ultrasonic welding of nonwovens used for surgical gowns
International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology
ISSN: 0955-6222
Article publication date: 7 August 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Surgical gowns should be designed and produced using special techniques to provide barrier properties against potential risks during surgery and healthcare procedures. Ultrasonic welding is one of these methods used to produce surgical gowns with determined barrier properties. The purpose of this paper is to analyse bond strength and permeability properties of ultrasonically welded nonwoven fabrics and compare them with traditional sewing techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, ultrasonic welding of nonwovens was performed to demonstrate its use as an assembly method. Performance requirements in the design of surgical gowns were determined. Fabric strengths and bond strengths of ultrasonic-welded and traditionally sewn fabrics were analysed. The performance properties, i.e., bond strength, air and water resistance of the fabrics and the joints obtained by ultrasonic and classical sewing methods were studied.
Findings
As a result, it was found that ultrasonic welding technique is a suitable method for joining layers in surgical gown production bringing the advantages of high water resistance together with acceptable bond strength.
Originality/value
The current study focuses on the use of ultrasonic welding of nonwovens used for disposable protective surgical gowns. Ultrasound welding technique was presented as an alternative to classic assembly methods and ultrasonic welding technology was applied to different fabric combinations simulating different layers in different joining sections of a surgical gown.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The present work is supported by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) with project number 111M464 for the period 2012-2015.
Citation
Eryuruk, S.H., Karagüzel Kayaoglu, B. and Kalaoglu, F. (2017), "A study on ultrasonic welding of nonwovens used for surgical gowns", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 539-552. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-05-2016-0048
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited