The use of nonwoven fabrics is an integral part of the healthcare industry. They can be used for a variety of purposes, from surgical drapes to disposable patient gowns. They are sanitary and comfortable, and they can help prevent cross-contamination during surgical procedures. They can also be reused and composted for environmental sustainability.

There are many types of nonwoven fabrics and the type you choose depends on your specific needs. In addition to the common nonwovens such as viscose, polypropylene, and polyethylene, there are specialty nonwoven fabrics that can be designed for different applications.

Among the various nonwovens, composite nonwovens have gained widespread popularity in recent years for their many beneficial properties, such as moisture resistance, gas permeability, and air permeability. They can be easily treated with antimicrobial treatments, and they are also extremely durable, making them a great choice for a wide range of medical applications.

Nonwovens are a form of fabric that is manufactured by combining fibers and binding them either mechanically or thermally. These fabrics are then woven into sheets or webs. The fibers can be any type of synthetic or natural material.

Some of the most commonly used composite nonwoven fabrics include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and a number of other thermoplastic polymers. These fabrics are used in a wide range of products, such as medical disposable gowns, surgical drapings, masks, and protective clothing.

These fabrics are made from polypropylene and polyethylene and are available in a number of different colors, thicknesses, and textures. They are also available in a variety of weaves, including open-weave and closed-weave.

In some cases, a polypropylene or polyethylene nonwoven fabric can be laminated with a PE film in order to provide additional properties such as water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability. These laminated fabrics can be used as protective clothing in hospitals and clinics, especially for patients who have respiratory diseases.

The use of composite nonwovens is a growing area of research. However, researchers face many challenging issues. Among them are the emergence of drug-resistant microbial strains, which demand more efficient detection mechanisms for surgical drapings and masks; and the need to develop better anti-viral, antimicrobial strategies to protect healthcare workers from disease.

In order to improve the performance of composite nonwovens, researchers must elucidate the structure-function relationships in these fabrics. This requires a multidisciplinary approach to the research process. For example, it may be necessary to understand how the fabrics interact with cells and their related cellular signalling processes. This will provide the basis for developing better products that can be used to detect and kill bacteria and viruses, and also enhance organ regeneration.