| HS Code | 738134 |
| Product Name | 3-20D*38-150mm Polyethylene Staple Fiber |
| Material | Polyethylene |
| Fiber Type | Staple Fiber |
| Denier Range | 3-20D |
| Cut Length Range | 38-150mm |
| Cross Sectional Shape | Round |
| Color | White |
| Luster | Semi-dull |
| Crimp | Crimped |
| Density | 0.91-0.96 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 105-135 °C |
| Moisture Regain | <0.1% |
| Tensile Strength | 2-6 cN/dtex |
| Elongation At Break | 20-60% |
| Chemical Resistance | Good resistance to acids and alkalis |
| Thermal Stability | Low thermal stability |
| Uv Resistance | Moderate to good |
| Electrical Insulation | Good |
| Hydrophobicity | Hydrophobic |
| Softness | Soft |
As an accredited 3-20D*38-150mm Polyethylene Staple Fiber factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Packed in 25 kg PP woven bags or 500 kg jumbo bags, with moisture-proof liners, palletized for export. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Polyethylene staple fiber 3-20D*38-150mm loaded in 20′ FCL, palletized in woven bags, securely stowed and lashed for sea transport. |
| Shipping | 3-20D*38-150mm Polyethylene Staple Fiber is shipped as a non-hazardous textile material. Packed in compressed bales or woven bags, palletized and wrapped for moisture protection. Transport in clean, dry containers at ambient temperature. Avoid direct sunlight, sharp objects, contamination, and ignition sources. No special dangerous goods documentation required. |
| Storage | Store 3-20D*38-150mm Polyethylene Staple Fiber in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse. Keep original sealed packaging on pallets, off floors and away from walls. Protect from moisture, direct sunlight, heat, sparks, open flames, and strong oxidizers. Avoid prolonged compression, contamination, and static buildup. Maintain good housekeeping, use FIFO stock rotation, and inspect packaging regularly. Store away from incompatible materials and ignition sources. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life: approximately 24 months when stored cool, dry, ventilated, and protected from sunlight, moisture, heat, and chemicals. |
In dry-laid nonwoven converting, 3–6 D × 38–76 mm polyethylene staple fibre functions as a thermal binder in blends with polyester, viscose or glass staple. The melt endotherm observed by differential scanning calorimetry to ISO 11357-3:2018 typically falls between 126 °C and 136 °C, while the Melt Flow Rate at 190 °C/2.16 kg determined by ISO 1133-1:2022 is controlled between 6 g/10 min and 12 g/10 min, restricting melt flow to bond points during through-air heating. In this sector the fibre is added at 15 wt% to 35 wt% of total furnish; below 15 wt% the bonded web may fail a 10 N/50 mm specified tensile retention after simulated laundering under ISO 9073-3:2023, while above 35 wt% the web exhibits film-like air resistance. Downstream production begins with bale opening and two-cylinder or three-cylinder carding with worker-to-stripper speed ratios set between 1:0.6 and 1:0.8, followed by cross-lapping to target basis weight 80–400 g/m² and through-air bonding at 138–145 °C for 25–60 s. On a production-scale carding line, cut-length inhomogeneity above ±5% of the 38 mm nominal generates nep counts that force line-speed reductions of 10–15%. Regulatory exposure for skin-contact and food-contact outputs requires FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 olefin polymer clearance, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 Annex I, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Annex 4 product class II; migration testing follows EN 1186-1:2002. Terminal converted products include HVAC panel filter media, hygiene acquisition layers, upholstery backing and automotive interior felt.
Plastic shrinkage crack control in cementitious systems is addressed by dosing 6–15 D × 38–60 mm polyethylene staple fibre at 0.6 kg/m³ to 1.8 kg/m³, equivalent to 0.05 vol% to 0.15 vol% of concrete. The fibre is metered into the aggregate stream inside a twin-shaft pan mixer of 22 kW drive power after 30 s of dry aggregate homogenisation and before water addition; adding fibres directly to the water phase leads to floating and matting because the fibre bulk density of 0.91–0.96 g/cm³ is below that of the mix water. After water and cement introduction, mixing continues for 90 s at 1.5 m/s circumferential speed, and the discharge slump is adjusted with 0.2–0.6 wt% of a polycarboxylate superplasticiser relative to cement when dosing at 1.8 kg/m³. Batch-to-batch variation in cut length outside ±2 mm of the 38 mm nominal produces agglomerates that lower plastic shrinkage crack reduction measured by ASTM C1579-21; published data for this specific polyethylene staple geometry is limited. The compliance framework for European and North American supply is EN 14889-2:2006 for polymer fibres and ASTM C1116/C1116M-23 Type III fibre-reinforced concrete; factory production control under EN 14889-2:2006 Annex B documents fibre geometry, tensile strength and alkali resistance. Terminal products include industrial floor slabs, impact-resistant precast concrete panels and tunnel lining segments where plastic shrinkage cracking must be limited.
Before wet-laid stock preparation can proceed, 38 mm or 51 mm as-supplied polyethylene staple fibre must be guillotine-cut to 3–6 mm, because the shortest cut length of 38 mm exceeds the maintenance range used in standard pulpers. After length reduction, 3–6 D fibre is added at 5 wt% to 30 wt% of the furnish with cellulose, glass microfibre or synthetic wood pulp. Stock preparation proceeds in a hydrapulper at 2–4% consistency, pH 4.5–7.0, with 0.5–2.0 wt% of a nonionic wetting agent in the whitewater; headbox consistency is controlled at 0.02–0.2% to prevent fibre flocculation. The sheet is formed on an inclined wire fourdrinier and densified by thermal bonding at 125–135 °C or by acrylic latex impregnation at 10–20 wt% solids add-on. Polyethylene fibre does not hydrogen-bond to cellulose, so wet-web tensile before binder application is lower than all-cellulose furnishes; this operational boundary requires higher vacuum flatbox settings and lower open draw. Compliance for air filtration products references EN 1822-1:2019 for filter class assignment, ISO 9073-1:2023 for mass per unit area, and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 where food-contact mesh or pad applications fall under olefin polymer clearance. Terminal products include HVAC panel filter media, cabin air filter substrates, and hydrocarbon mist coalescing media.
Needlepunched drainage geotextile destined for acidic leachate service is built from 10–20 D × 76–150 mm polyethylene staple fibre, either as 100% polyethylene fibre or in a 30–50 wt% polyethylene fibre blend with recycled polypropylene. The conversion line includes bale opening, carding, cross-lapping to 600–1,200 g/m², and needlepunching with needleboard density 4,500–8,000 stabs/m² and penetration depth 11–13 mm; thermal surface stabilisation at 120–130 °C follows to lock filaments without collapsing the void structure. Production-scale failure modes include needle breakage when cut-length tail exceeds 150 mm and batt delamination when the web is over-needled above 8,000 stabs/m². For compliance, the finished geotextile is tested under ISO 10319:2015 for wide-width tensile, ISO 11058:2019 for water permeability perpendicular to the plane, and EN 13252:2016 for drainage geotextile requirements; chemical resistance in acidic leachate is evaluated by immersion per ISO 175:2010 at 23 °C for 7 days, with tensile retention above 85% accepted only after site-specific verification. Published data for this exact polyethylene staple geotextile configuration in acid mine drainage service is limited, so the 85% retention threshold is conservative and should be confirmed by side-by-side exposure. Terminal products include landfill leachate drainage layers, acid mine drainage filtration fabrics, and tunnel lining drainage composites.
For single-polymer composite compounding, 3–10 D × 38–76 mm polyethylene staple fibre is loaded at 5–30 wt% into a high-density polyethylene matrix, avoiding adhesive interphase failure because matrix and reinforcement share the same olefinic chemistry. The compounding sequence feeds dried fibre into the side stuffer of a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40:1; barrel zone temperatures are staged from 170 °C at the feed throat to 200–210 °C at the die, and screw speed is held at 250–350 rpm. Fibre length retention after extrusion is reduced to 1.5–3.2 mm at 5–15 wt% loading, and residual aspect ratio falls further above 30 wt% due to shear-induced breakage; the resultant injection-moulded parts are processed at clamp force 1,500–4,500 kN and mould temperature 30–60 °C. Tensile and flexural characterisation follows ISO 527-1:2019 and ISO 178:2019, with density verification by ISO 1183-1:2019; compliance under EU chemical legislation is governed by REACH registration for fibre sizing agents. Terminal products include reusable industrial crates, logistics pallets and automotive interior structural carriers.
Oleophilic sorbent mats made from 6–15 D × 50–150 mm polyethylene staple fibre use the fibre as the primary oil-retention body at 100% polyethylene furnish or with 20–40 wt% recycled polyethylene fibre. The line configuration for sorbent production is opening, carding, cross-lapping to 200–600 g/m², needlepunching at 60–80 stabs/cm², and hot calendering at 120–130 °C to compact the surface and reduce shedding. The polyolefin's low surface energy provides oil affinity, but the material is not suitable for polar solvents or concentrated oxidising acids; immersion in ketones or chlorinated solvents causes swelling and loss of structural integrity. Compliance for industrial oil sorbent products is established by ASTM F726-17 Type I, which measures sorption capacity through immersion and drainage cycles; additional product specifications use ISO 9073-1:2023 for mass per unit area and REACH for fibre finish substances. Terminal product types include oil spill pads, industrial maintenance wipes, and boom casing fill for intercepting non-polar hydrocarbon releases.
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The designation 3-20D*38-150mm denotes a polyethylene staple fiber whose nominal filament linear density spans 3–20 denier and whose cut length ranges from 38 mm to 150 mm. The fiber is melt-spun from high-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene resin, then drawn, crimped, and precision cut. Incoming lot evaluation under ISO 1973:2021 determines linear density gravimetrically, while length distribution is assessed by ISO 6989:2018; acceptance windows for high-speed carding commonly require cut length coefficient of variation below 5% and linear density deviation within ±0.3 denier of target. Density tested under ISO 1183-1:2019 falls between 0.92 g/cm³ and 0.96 g/cm³; the melting peak measured by differential scanning calorimetry under ISO 11357-3:2018 is typically 130–137°C. These characteristics place the product in a different thermal envelope from polyester staple fiber, which has a density near 1.38 g/cm³ and melting onset above 250°C. The olefinic backbone provides low moisture regain but restricts applications requiring exposure to aromatic solvents or continuous mechanical load above 80°C.
The 3–6 D portion produces fine filaments with higher specific surface area for filtration and barrier media; the 15–20 D portion provides greater bending stiffness for coarse needle-punched felts and acoustic insulation. Cut length does not scale linearly with performance. The 38 mm grade suits conventional single-doffer carding, while the 75–150 mm grades are intended for airlaid or cross-lapped needlepunch lines where longer staple raises cross-direction tensile strength measured under ISO 9073-3. Published data for every denier-length combination across the four boundaries of the designation is limited; end-use qualification should therefore evaluate the specific pair rather than the model range as a single material.
The main shift is thermal. The polyethylene melting peak near 130–137°C allows thermal calendering at roll surface temperatures near 120–140°C, while polyester staple fiber typically requires calendar temperatures above 200°C. This lower temperature enables lamination with heat-sensitive films but excludes the fiber from applications requiring steam sterilization at 121°C or dry-heat exposure above 120°C. Chemically, polyethylene remains unaffected by most dilute acids and alkalis at ambient temperature, but it swells in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons; polyester shows better resistance to aromatic fuels yet undergoes alkaline hydrolysis in strong bases above 60°C. Polypropylene has a similar low-density profile but a higher melting peak near 160–170°C and higher tensile modulus. In mechanical terms, polyethylene staple fiber generally exhibits lower tensile modulus than polyester and polypropylene, which reduces sheet stiffness in carded nonwovens and lowers stress concentration in brittle matrices. Typical published property comparisons are listed below.
| Property | Polyethylene staple fiber | Polyester staple fiber | Polypropylene staple fiber | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.92–0.96 g/cm³ | 1.38–1.39 g/cm³ | 0.90–0.91 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1:2019 |
| Melting peak | 130–137°C | 250–260°C | 160–170°C | ISO 11357-3:2018 |
| Tenacity | 3.0–6.0 cN/dtex | 4.0–7.0 cN/dtex | 4.0–7.0 cN/dtex | ISO 5079:2020 |
| Elongation at break | 30–80% | 20–50% | 20–100% | ISO 5079:2020 |
Because the fiber surface finish and crimp configuration control opening behavior as much as cut length, high-speed nonwoven production requires incoming specification beyond linear density. On a double-doffer card of working width 2.5 m running at output speeds up to 80 m/min, the product should maintain a spin finish level between 0.10% and 0.20% by mass; lower finish levels increase fly generation and static accumulation when relative humidity is below 40%, while higher finish levels can deposit on card clothing and reduce fiber transfer. Crimp frequency should be declared as crimps per centimetre, with typical values from 2.5 to 4.5 crimps per centimetre for carded products. The fiber does not require moisture pre-drying because polyethylene is hydrophobic; however, condensation on cold fiber surfaces in uncontrolled warehouses may require conditioning to prevent static discharge. In needlepunch lines, a punch density of 150–300 punches/cm² at a penetration depth of 9–13 mm is common for 15–20 D, 75–150 mm fiber used in geotextile felts, although published data for this exact model range is limited and line trials are required.
Polyethylene staple fiber should not be specified where continuous operating temperature exceeds 80°C under sustained mechanical load. The melting peak near 130–137°C is not a safe service limit; creep and shrinkage become significant above 80–100°C. Oxidizing acids such as nitric acid at concentrations above 20% attack the polymer at elevated temperature, and chlorinated solvents can cause swelling. The fiber is compatible with water, seawater, dilute alkali, and most inorganic salts at ambient temperature. For food-contact use, compliance is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers; final articles placed on the European market must also meet EC 1935/2004. REACH registration under EC 1907/2006 and SVHC communication at the 0.1% w/w threshold apply to the commercial product, although polyethylene homopolymer typically does not contain SVHCs above the reporting limit. RoHS 2011/65/EU restrictions apply only when the fiber is incorporated into electrical or electronic equipment; declarations for lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE are then required.
In cementitious matrices, polyethylene staple fiber is used primarily for early-age plastic shrinkage crack control rather than structural load transfer. Dosage rates of 0.6–1.8 kg/m³ are common for concrete floor slabs; the low modulus of polyethylene produces smaller hardened-state flexural toughness gains than polypropylene or steel fibers. The fiber must disperse under concrete mixing without balling; sequential addition after aggregate wetting is specified in the conformity documentation of EN 14889-2:2006. Alkali resistance in Portland cement at pH 12–13 is higher than that of polyester, which undergoes progressive alkaline hydrolysis under long-term exposure. Cut lengths of 38 mm are suitable for pumpable concrete; cut lengths beyond 100 mm increase the risk of dispersion faults in central mixers and are better handled in dry-mix shotcrete or precast extrusion lines. Published data for the specific effect of 3-20D polyethylene staple fiber on concrete residual strength is limited; EN 14889-2:2006 requires dosage-specific performance declaration before CE marking.
Longer staple improves cross-direction tensile strength in carded and cross-lapped nonwovens, but it is not an interchangeable parameter. A 150 mm fiber fed to a card designed for 38–60 mm fiber tends to wrap around the lickerin and main cylinder elements, producing neps and worker-cylinder loading. Cylinder-to-flat settings must be opened to at least 1.0 mm when processing fiber longer than 100 mm, but this reduces carding intensity and may increase web mass variation. Airlaid systems tolerate longer fiber with less mechanical damage, though web uniformity depends on hammer mill screen aperture and forming-head turbulence. In thermal bonding, shorter cut lengths distribute more homogeneously in the heated nip, while longer fiber increases entanglement before the calendar and can produce thicker fabrics with lower bulk density. Tensile testing of the resulting nonwoven is performed under ISO 9073-3; cross-direction to machine-direction strength ratios generally increase with cut length, but the magnitude depends on carding orientation, cross-lap angle, and needlepunch density.
Quality control of incoming lots should include verification of fiber denier, cut length distribution, crimp frequency, and finish content because each parameter shifts carding efficiency. The supplier’s certificate of analysis should reference ISO 1973:2021, ISO 6989:2018, ISO 5079:2020, and ISO 11357-3:2018. In extrusion compounding where the staple fiber is used as a reinforcement, the fiber should be fed through a side-feeder at barrel temperatures below 150°C; higher temperatures cause premature melting and poor dispersion. The product is not intended for high-modulus composite applications that require load-bearing fiber performance; para-aramid, glass, or high-tenacity polyester staple should be evaluated for those conditions. Storage must exclude direct sunlight and outdoor weathering; unstabilized polyethylene undergoes photo-oxidative chain scission under prolonged UV exposure, so UV-stabilized grades are required for exposed geotextiles.
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