In paper manufacturing, the choice of dryer fabric has a massive impact on runnability, energy consumption, and paper quality. Both spiral and woven fabrics have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different positions in the dryer section.

Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Spiral Dryer Fabric

Spiral fabrics are constructed by joining together individual, helical plastic loops with a pintle wire. Because they don’t have a traditional yarn weave, they behave quite differently from woven fabrics.

Advantages

• High and Stable Permeability: The open structure allows for excellent air ventilation and mass heat transfer, which can increase drying efficiency.

• Extreme Durability & Long Lifespan: Because there are no warp and weft yarns to rub against each other, internal wear is minimized. They are highly resistant to mechanical damage and distortion.

• Easy to Repair and Seam: If a section is damaged, you can literally cut out the bad part and zip in a new piece using a pintle wire. The seam is virtually identical to the fabric body, minimizing seam-mark risks.

• Easy to Clean: The open, non-interlocking nature of the loops makes it harder for contaminants (like dirt, resin, or stickies) to get trapped, and they respond very well to high-pressure showers.

Disadvantages

• Potential for Fabric Marking: The surface profile is rougher and more prominent than a woven fabric. This can leave “spiral marks” on delicate or lightweight paper grades.

• Higher Internal Air Turbulence: At very high speeds, the large void volume can carry too much air, causing sheet fluttering or drops on modern, high-speed machines.

• Higher Initial Cost: They are generally more expensive upfront than standard woven fabrics.

Woven Dryer Fabric

Woven fabrics are made using traditional weaving technologies (typically 3, 4, or 5-shed designs) using monofilament or multifilament yarns.

Advantages

• Smooth Surface (Low Marking): Woven fabrics can be engineered with flat warp yarns to create an incredibly smooth surface. This is critical for high-quality, fine paper grades where sheet marking must be avoided.

• Better Sheet Contact: The flatter surface provides a larger contact area between the paper sheet and the dryer cylinder, optimizing conductive heat transfer.

• Aerodynamic Stability: They can be woven tightly to control permeability and minimize boundary-layer air movement, reducing sheet flutter on ultra-high-speed paper machines.

• Lower Initial Cost: They are generally more economical to purchase initially compared to spiral fabrics.

Disadvantages

• Vulnerability to Seam Failure: The seam is often the weakest point of a woven fabric. If the seam wears out or breaks, the entire fabric usually needs to be replaced.

• Prone to Distortion and Narrowing: Under high tension and heat, woven fabrics can experience dimensional stability issues, such as narrowing or bowing.

• Harder to Clean: The intersecting points of the warp and weft yarns create tiny pockets where filling, sizing, and stickies can easily accumulate, leading to a steady drop in permeability over time.

Quick Comparison Summary

KEYLIFE has a porforlio of spiral dryer fabric and woven dryer fabric to cater the need of all paper machines