Short for spunbond-meltblown-spunbond, it is made in line on a multi-beam spunmelt machine and bonded with a point calender. The spunbond layers carry strength and abrasion resistance while the meltblown layer supplies hydrohead and filtration. Variants add beams, such as SMMS or SSMMS, and SMS is the standard fabric for surgical gowns, drapes, sterilization wrap and diaper leg cuffs.
Barrier leg cuffs are SMS at 13 gsm, and the customer checks hydrohead on every lot.
Ask for the meltblown share of an SMS, not just the total gsm; nearly all of the barrier comes from that thin middle layer.
Also heard as
- spunbond-meltblown-spunbond
Related terms
Spunbond
Nonwoven of continuous filaments extruded, air-drawn and laid on a belt, then usually bonded by a hot calender.
Meltblown
Web of very fine fibers made by blasting molten polymer from a row of tiny die holes with hot, high-speed air.
Spunmelt
Collective term for spunbond and meltblown processes and the composite fabrics made by combining them.
Beam
Line talk for one spinning or meltblown station across the width of a spunmelt line.
Hydrohead
Shop and spec clip for hydrostatic head: the water pressure a fabric holds before water comes through.