Abstract
The effect of fabric weight, needling density, and blend proportion of jute and polypropylene fibers on water absorbency, fabric thickness, and fabric density has been studied. Box and Behnken experimental design has been used for preparation of needle-punched nonwoven fabric samples. Cluster analysis has been used to study the grouping behavior of the variables. Water absorbency increases with the increase in jute content. Water absorbency decreases with the increase in fabric weight and needling density. Highest water absorbency (720%) of the fabric can be obtained at 60% jute content level with lower needling density and lower fabric weight. The fabric thickness increases with the increase in jute content. At higher level of jute content, with the increase in needling density, the fabric thickness shows decrease in trend. At higher level of fabric weight and higher needling density, with the increase in jute content, the fabric thickness shows a decrease in trend. Maximum fabric density can be obtained at higher fabric weight (450 g/m 2), higher jute content (60%) and higher needling density (350 punches/cm 2) levels. The influence of fabric weight, needling density, and blend proportion of polypropylene and jute as independent variables on the cluster of fabric thickness and water absorbency is very high as evidence from the Euclidean distances.