Nonwovens for medical gowns, drapes and sterilisation wraps

What each product needs from the fabric

Medical disposables protect patients and staff from fluids and keep sterile items clean until they are used. The fabric has to resist fluids, stay strong when it is handled and folded, and, in a gown, be comfortable to wear through a long procedure.

• Surgical gowns: a barrier against blood and fluids with a soft feel. SMS for basic surgical gowns; SSMMS for reinforced gowns and long procedures.
• Drapes and covers: a fluid barrier over the patient and equipment, cut and shaped by the converter. SMS or SSMMS.
• Sterilisation wraps: instrument sets are wrapped before sterilisation and stay wrapped until the pack is opened. SMS or SSMMS; SSMMS adds a second meltblown barrier.
• CSSD sheets and medical kits: SSMMS medical sheets for central sterile services departments, and fabric for procedure kits.
• Light gowns, caps and covers: PP spunbond.
• Wound care and surgical laminates: spunlace.

SMS or SSMMS?

Both put meltblown barrier layers between spunbond layers. SMS has three: spunbond, meltblown, spunbond. It is naturally hydrophobic, strong and durable, with a good balance of strength and filtration, and is used for basic surgical gowns, drapes and wraps.

SSMMS has five: two spunbond layers, two meltblown layers and a spunbond face. The second meltblown layer gives higher fluid resistance and barrier protection, and three spunbond layers resist tearing and give a softer feel. It is used for reinforced surgical gowns, sterile wraps and medical kits, and is comfortable for long procedures.

If you are not sure which one your product needs, ask for samples of both and test them in your own construction.

Where spunbond and spunlace fit

PP spunbond has no meltblown layer. It is used for lighter items such as caps, covers and gowns where a full fluid barrier is not required. It is made in any colour, with anti-static, hydrophilic, UV-stabilised or flame-retardant treatments on order, in SS (10–80 gsm) and SSS (8–80 gsm) constructions.

Spunlace is made by entangling fibres with fine water jets, with no binders, so it is soft, strong and low-lint. It is used for wound care and other medical uses, and we also supply it laminated for surgical use in medical grey, blue or green.

Testing the finished product

Performance levels for gowns, drapes and wraps apply to the finished product, and the company that makes and sells it is responsible for testing and approval in its market. We supply the fabric to the specification you set, with free samples so you can test it in your own construction before you order.

When you enquire, tell us the test method and level you will test the finished product to. It helps us suggest the right fabric and weight to start from.

Colours and supply

SSMMS is made in medical blue or green, or a custom colour; SMS and PP spunbond in any colour to order. They are made on fully automated Reicofil lines with robotic packing and supplied as rolls slit to width. Spunlace is made on French technology, with an annual capacity of 12,000 MT, and supplied as jumbo rolls or slit rolls. Different fabrics can travel together: 5–6 products can be combined in one 40'HQ container.