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Spunbond Vs Meltblown Nonwovens: Key Differences Explained

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Spunbond vs Meltblown Nonwovens: Key Differences Explained

Comprehensive comparison of production processes, properties and applications - Essential guide for materials engineers

In the field of nonwoven fabrics, Spunbond and Meltblown are two core technologies widely used in medical, hygiene, filtration, and industrial applications. Although both primarily use polypropylene as raw material, they have significant differences in production processes, physical properties, and end uses. This in-depth comparison will help you make informed material selections for your specific needs.

Production Process Comparison
Physical Properties
Application Analysis

Production Process Comparison

1

Spunbond Process

Thermoplastic polymers (mainly polypropylene) are melted and extruded through spinnerets to form continuous filaments. The filaments are cooled, stretched, and laid randomly or semi-randomly on a conveyor belt to form a web, which is then thermally bonded to create the fabric.

Key Features: Continuous filaments, 15-35 micron diameter
Advantages: High production efficiency, lower cost
2

Meltblown Process

Molten polymer is extruded through fine nozzles while high-velocity hot air blows the polymer streams, stretching them into ultrafine fibers (1-5 microns). These fine fibers are collected on a conveyor to form a web with a dense, fine fiber structure.

Key Features: Ultrafine short fibers, 1-5 micron diameter
Advantages: Excellent filtration efficiency, fine fiber structure

Physical Properties & Fiber Structure Comparison

PropertySpunbondMeltblown
Fiber TypeContinuous filamentsUltrafine short fibers
Fiber Diameter15-35 microns1-5 microns
Tensile StrengthHigh strengthLower strength
Web StructureOpen, less denseExtremely dense
Filtration EfficiencyModerateExcellent
Production CostLowerHigher

Application Analysis

Spunbond Applications

Hygiene products (diapers, feminine care)
Geotextiles and landscaping fabrics
Agricultural crop covers and protection
Furniture upholstery backing
Medical gowns and surgical drapes

Meltblown Applications

Medical/surgical masks (N95 respirators)
High-efficiency air and liquid filters
Oil sorbents and industrial wipes
Battery separators
Sound absorption materials

SMS Composite Technology: The Best of Both Worlds

In many high-performance applications, Spunbond and Meltblown layers are combined to form SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) composites. This layered structure utilizes the strength of Spunbond as outer layers while leveraging the filtration capability of Meltblown as the functional middle layer.

SMS Structure Advantages:

  • Enhanced barrier protection performance

  • Improved comfort and drape

  • Optimized filtration-strength balance

  • Cost-effective high performance

S
Outer Layer: Spunbond
Provides strength and durability
M
Middle Layer: Meltblown
Delivers superior filtration efficiency
S
Outer Layer: Spunbond
Provides strength and durability

How to Choose the Right Nonwoven Material

While both Spunbond and Meltblown are polypropylene-based nonwovens, they serve fundamentally different purposes:

Choose Spunbond when you need:

  • Structural strength and durability

  • Long-term use and physical resilience

  • Cost-effective solutions

  • High breathability applications

Choose Meltblown when you need:

  • Superior filtration efficiency

  • High barrier performance

  • Ultrafine fiber structure

  • Sound absorption or sorption properties

For demanding applications requiring both strength and filtration performance, SMS composites provide the ideal solution. Understanding these core differences enables engineers to optimize material selection, whether choosing a single technology or combining both to meet specific performance requirements.

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