What is spunbond: application and characteristics of the covering material

Properties and advantages of the covering material

In agriculture, more and more often, conventional polyethylene is replaced by agrospanbond. It is used for open ground, greenhouses or winter shelter for frost-resistant crops. It owes its popularity to the following characteristics:

• long service life;
• environmental friendliness;
• security;
• resistance to chemicals;
• good light transmission;
• high strength;
• low electrical conductivity;
• the ability to maintain a constant level of temperature and humidity;
• the ability to freely pass moisture;
• non-flammability;
• ease of use;
• relatively low price.

Benefits of using canvas in agriculture

Compared to polyethylene, which becomes unusable after a year, geotextiles can withstand several seasons

An important advantage of the polymer coating is the free access of moisture through the surface. If plants can steam up under the film, then when using agrofibre there is no such problem.

Also, cultures covered with non-woven fabric do not need to be ventilated.

Questions and answers

Can I use material from gardening shops (agrofibre) for sewing masks?

It is forbidden. In the manufacture of spunbond intended for medical devices, both raw materials and the final product are tested for toxicity. But the materials that are used in agriculture do not pass such a test, therefore, with prolonged contact with the skin, they can cause allergies, dermatitis and other unpleasant reactions.

Microbiological purity is also important. According to EN ISO 117-37, the presence of bacteria and fungi in the amount of 30 colony-forming organisms per gram of weight is allowed on medical masks. For agrofibre, such restrictions have not been established, so that, wearing a product sewn from it, a person inhales much more potentially dangerous microorganisms than if he did not use protective equipment at all.

What material can be used to replace spunbond?

From nonwovens - spunlace with a density of 25–35 g / m2, folded in three layers. From the usual - any cotton fabric with a dense weave of threads (it is desirable that its density is not less than 125 g / m).

Where can I get medical spunbond?

Buy at the pharmacy. There it is sold in the form of disposable clothing (shirts for women in childbirth, gowns and capes for visitors), gynecological diapers and surgical covers.

It is important that the products are in sterile packaging, because this material cannot be washed or ironed

Spunbond is an excellent material for industrial production of protective equipment, but it will be difficult to make a mask out of it at home.

1 What is spunbond?

Spunbond is a nonwoven fabric made primarily of polypropylene. It is very lightweight and completely eco-friendly. Possesses high resistance to corrosion, wear, practically does not change under the influence of direct sunlight.

Also, the advantages of this material include high throughput. It allows air and moisture to easily pass through the structure of the material, making spunbond effective for covering crops.

Spunbond structure

Consider the main points of spunbond production. This material is made by heat treatment of polypropylene. This polymer is heated to the highest temperatures, which is why it breaks down into small fibers. These microscopic fibers are woven into a continuous web under the action of a powerful air flow and high temperature.Such fabric is additionally reinforced with special substances - light stabilizers. They increase the resistance to sunlight and make it easier to maintain an even temperature in the greenhouse.

1.1 Material specifications

• uniformity of spunbond density. This quality makes it possible to more stably distribute water and air to plants;
• high light transmission. Depending on the type of spunbond, this indicator may decrease or increase, depending on the type of crop;
• light weight. Such material presses on the surface with a weight of only 17-40 g per 1 square meter (depending on the type). This allows you to cover young seedlings and seedlings without fear of damaging them;
• high resistance to temperature action. This fiber functions optimally in the temperature range from -50 to +100 degrees. Moreover, its structure does not change at all;
• resistance to mechanical damage. The material practically does not wrinkle and does not wear off over time;
• high vapor permeability. Allows plants to breathe, which greatly affects their development;
• does not react with various chemicals. mixtures. The canvas is not affected by pesticides, poisons, fertilizers.

1.2 Types of spunbond

Different types of spunbond have different properties that suit different applications to varying degrees. In agriculture, white fiber, colored spunbond and black fiber are used.

Black Spunbond Roll

Each of them is further divided into subspecies depending on the density:

• white material with a density of 17 g per m2. It is used when working with young fragile shoots, as well as for covering plantings and young shoots. Excellent moisture and light permeability;
• white, 30 g per m2. Protects crops from hail and sudden temperature changes;
• white, 60 g per m2. Suitable for protecting crops from extremely negative weather conditions. Withstands hail, snow, rainfall and strong minus temperatures. It is also used for "preserving" plants for the winter to preserve shoots and flower buds;
• black, 50 g per m2. Used as an interlayer between the fruit and the ground. Promotes better soil heating. Slows down the growth of weeds;
• black, 60 g per m2. Protects plants from spring frosts;
• colored spunbond. It is used in cases when it is necessary to simultaneously cover the plant and the soil with the material.

The foil type allows you to significantly accelerate the growth and appearance of young shoots. It reflects ultraviolet rays, which, when concentrated, heat the seeds better.

The reinforced type has higher strength and can withstand heavy loads.

1.3 How to choose the right material

When choosing a nonwoven fabric on the market, you need to know the main spunbond manufacturers who provide the highest quality. These include Agrotex, Plant-Protex, Lutrasil, Agrin. Spunbond is sold in rolls, the average length of which is 100 meters. Regarding the width, two types are produced: 160 cm and 320 cm. Recently, you can often find smaller rolls, 10 m long. They are intended specifically for the needs of summer residents.

Spunbond: types, properties, application

The nonwoven material has a polymer base. Under the influence of high temperatures, polypropylene is divided into fibers, from which a solid fiber is later woven. Light stabilizers provide additional strength to the synthetic fiber. They provide the material with resistance to direct sunlight. The canvas does not melt at high temperatures, it tolerates severe frosts and significant temperature changes equally well.

Spunbond production

The scope of application of the material depends on its technical characteristics. The main indicator of spunbond is the density of the fabric. The main part of the material offered by manufacturers is produced with a density of 15 to 600 g / m2.

Types of spunbond

The technical characteristics of a synthetic canvas are determined by its manufacturers.All types of canvas are divided into 3 main groups:

1. Agrotextile. A feature of the material is its processing with photostabilizers. The main application is agriculture.
2. Colored spunbond. High strength canvas. Used for the manufacture of household products.
3. Laminated spunbond. The most durable canvas. It has good air and water resistance. It is widely used for medical purposes.

White spunbond

The covering material produced by manufacturers has various colors. It serves as a guide for buyers. Each color of the canvas corresponds to a certain set of characteristics. In agricultural production, a covering material is used that has a color: white, black or two-color. Other most common colors include:

• black and yellow;
• black and white;
• white and red.

White canvases transmit sunlight better than all other types of material. Black spunbond is used when it is required to slow down the growth of plants.

Table 1. Methods of using white spunbond.

Spunbond

Table 2. Methods of using black spunbond.

A colored two-layer material is substituted for mulch. Foil cloth accelerates plant growth, and greenhouses are covered with reinforced cloth.

General material characteristics

The basic requirements for nonwoven fabric are determined by GOST: 53225-2008; 50276-92; 50277-92; 52608-2006. Their actions apply to all types of geotextiles, including spunbond. Products manufactured in accordance with this standard are made on the basis of fiber-forming polymers by the spunbond method. Among the main characteristics of nonwoven fabric:

• electrical conductivity;
• strength;
• water permeability;
• durability;
• creep, etc.

Spunbond bags

Spunbond Polyester

Polyester fabrics are manufactured using medium to coarse fibers. Most of the blade is available in widths from 2 to 500 mm. The base weight of polyester is from 12 to 300 g / m2. Polyester fabric has the characteristics inherent in spunbond.

Spunbond Polypropylene

Polypropylene fabrics are most often made from fine to medium fibers. They perfectly keep their dimensions, have heat resistance. The most common sizes Available in widths up to 500 mm. Basic density from 8 to 200 g / sq. m.

Agrotech 17

Spunbond Biko

The fabric is made using different ratios of two different fibers. Available in widths up to 500 mm. Basic density of Biko is from 20 to 250 g / sq.m ..

Covering material properties

Using the material in a garden located in the Moscow region, I draw attention to the characteristics of the canvas:

• the material keeps heat, preventing cold air currents from penetrating through it;
• increased air permeability in the created space;
• the canvas has uniformity over the entire surface - this allows you to create a microclimate inside a closed space: the necessary humidity and temperature;
• light passes through the material;
• the light weight of the material allows you to cover young seedlings of crops without exerting pressure, which means, without causing harm;
• the strength of the material allows it to be crumpled, washed;
• resistant to low and high temperatures;
• the surface of the canvas is resistant to harmful microorganisms, causing fungi and bacteria to die;
• pesticides and other compounds will not harm the material;
• the material does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere - it belongs to environmentally friendly products.

Which side to put the spunbond on the ground

At first, using spunbond did not attach importance to the fact thatwhich side to cover culture. Then I stumbled upon a discussion of Internet users. On one of the forums dedicated to gardening, summer residents shared their experience.

It turns out that some manufacturers write on the label where the top and inner sides of the web are. But most types of spunbond are produced without explanation.

Any side of the covering material allows water to pass through, but smooth - to a lesser extent, pimpled - to a greater extent.

When constructing a greenhouse, spunbond retains all properties, including thermal insulation, but it is better to have a pimpled surface on the outside, and smooth on the inside.

A video will be a good help before buying and using a spunbond. It tells how to strengthen the covering material in the garden bed:

Spunbond application

The high level of performance allows the use of spunbond in many areas of agriculture. It can be used at any time of the year. In spring, the material is used to cover young seedlings for an early harvest.

It allows you to retain more moisture in the ground, maintains a stable temperature of the ground and air under the canvas. This significantly increases the resistance of young crops to spring frosts and low night temperatures. In addition, the density of the material allows you to keep the shoots from birds and erosion.

Greenhouses under spunbond

The use of 60 spunbond (density 60 g per square meter) makes it easier to cover the garden or greenhouse. Plants in the greenhouse will receive enough light and condensation will be discharged easily. A persistent temperature will allow you to shelter roses or berries from hail, cold showers and early frosts. Most often, a white type of canvas is used here.

In the summer, the main problem of agricultural crops is a lack of moisture and high soil temperatures. This problem is solved by the use of black cloth as a multiplying material. The surface of the soil is covered with a spunbond ball, leaving cuts for the grown plants. Mulching allows you to retain maximum moisture in the ground and prevent plant roots from overheating. In addition, it significantly reduces the growth of weeds in the beds and prevents the appearance of bears and slugs that damage the plants.

Blackberries, strawberries, currants are less susceptible to various diseases if the bed under them is covered with spunbond. Most berry diseases occur on contact with moist soil. Here, the canvas acts as an interlayer between the damp earth and the plant. Planting strawberries on a spunbond will greatly increase the yield.

It will be useful to use a canvas for grapes in the autumn. Preparing grapes for the winter is an important point. This material allows the plant to go into a state of deep sleep more smoothly, preventing the negative effects of sudden temperature changes. For other crops, such a cover can significantly extend the growing season and fertility.

Using Spunbond to Cover Roses

In especially frosty winters for which Russia is famous, it is worth thinking about covering roses with spunbond. Many varieties of roses are able to calmly withstand temperatures down to minus 22 degrees. But, minus 30 frost is destructive for them.

How to cover roses correctly. It is best to cover roses in December, when the temperature is no longer so fluctuating. This period is the most optimal. Covering roses early will cause the high daytime temperatures to make them rush and die.

Therefore, when building a shelter, it is important to revise forecasts 10-15 days in advance.The bush takes cover throughout the volume plus 1-1.5 m diameter around the bush

This is necessary to protect the roots from frost as much as possible. A frame of reinforcement or thick wire is made over the bush. Then it is covered with a plastic grill or mesh. And already the non-woven fiber lies on it. Such a bunker will help the rose through the winter.

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