Selecting PET stitch-bond nonwoven for footwear requires more than comparing thickness or hand feel. The suitable grade also depends on the application position, downstream lamination or printing process, required function and validation conditions for the finished footwear material. Jhih Cheng recommends defining the application first and then evaluating a specified grade through samples and relevant tests.
Start with the material's role in the footwear construction
Stitch-bond nonwoven can be evaluated for footwear reinforcement and lining. Reinforcement applications generally place more emphasis on support, dimensional behavior and downstream lamination, while lining applications may place more emphasis on surface appearance, hand feel, color and the overall wearing construction. The same material may behave differently with different shoe designs, laminated materials and processing conditions, so validation should use a representative footwear construction.
Basic options available for evaluation
- Colors: white and black
- Widths: 36, 44 and 54 inches
- Stitch-bond system: single needle
- Gauge: 14 and 22
- Thickness: approximately 0.4–1.2 mm
- Hand feel: soft AS, standard AA and firm AH
These are the option ranges listed on the current product page; they do not mean that every combination is available. Confirm the applicable grade, specification and tolerance before sampling or production qualification.
How should buyers choose among AG, AM and JJ?
AG series: designed to reduce wicking
The AG series is designed for footwear applications where reduced wicking is required. Depending on the grade, test information may be available under static anti-wicking or dynamic flexing conditions. Low-fluorine or fluorine-free treatment options may also be discussed. Actual results depend on the specified grade and applicable test report.
AM series: antimicrobial and mildew-resistant treatment
The AM series uses an antimicrobial and mildew-resistant treatment for evaluation in footwear lining and reinforcement. Performance must not be inferred from the series name alone; confirm the applicable grade, test method and report.
JJ series: resin-free water-setting process
The JJ series uses a water-setting process without added resin and is intended to retain a softer fabric hand. Other materials used in downstream lamination, coating or the finished footwear construction must still be assessed as part of the complete structure.
What information should buyers provide for grade selection?
- Application position: reinforcement, lining or another location
- Target thickness, hand feel, color and width
- Downstream lamination, coating, printing, cutting or forming process
- Anti-wicking, antimicrobial, mildew-resistant or other functions to be evaluated
- Customer-specified test methods, acceptance criteria and documentation
- Sample quantity and estimated commercial volume
Complete input helps narrow the choice among existing grades. Samples should be tested with the intended laminated materials, processing conditions and final footwear construction.
Footwear stitch-bond nonwoven FAQ
Is stitch-bond nonwoven the same as woven fabric?
No. Stitch-bond nonwoven is a nonwoven fiber web reinforced by a stitch structure. Its surface and directional behavior are influenced by the fiber web, stitch construction and finishing conditions.
Can one grade meet every footwear requirement?
Not necessarily. Thickness, hand feel, surface, functional treatment and processing compatibility must be evaluated together for the specified grade and applicable reports.
Can buyers request samples and test information first?
Samples, specifications and applicable test reports can be discussed by grade. State the application and target conditions so the sales team can recommend an evaluation path.
Jhih Cheng footwear materials
Jhih Cheng manufactures PET stitch-bond nonwoven in Taiwan for footwear reinforcement and lining applications. Review the functional PET stitch-bond nonwoven footwear series and the PET stitch-bond nonwoven for footwear reinforcement and lining, then contact JC Non-Woven to discuss grades, samples and test information.
