| Raw Material & Structure | Continuous polypropylene filaments extruded, drawn, laid randomly, &
thermally bonded. | Short cut (6-15 cm) polypropylene/polyester fibers carded, layered, &
needle-punched or thermally bonded. |
| Primary Strength | Very High Tensile Strength (MD & CD), High Puncture Resistance, High Tear Resistance. | Moderate Tensile Strength, Moderate Puncture & Tear Resistance. |
| Strength Consistency | Highly Uniform due to continuous filaments and homogeneous structure. | Less Uniform; strength can vary more due to fiber entanglement and
needlepunching. |
| Elongation at Break | Lower Elongation (Generally < 50-80%), better dimensional stability. | Higher Elongation (Often > 50-100%), more stretchy. |
| Filtration Efficiency | Excellent & Predictable due to uniform, controlled pore structure. | Good, but pore size distribution can be less uniform. More prone to
blinding/clogging in fine soils. |
| Permeability (Flow) | High & Consistent cross-plane and in-plane flow. | Generally High, but can be slightly lower than filament at same
weight; can compress more under load. |
| Durability (UV, Installation) | Superior Resistance to UV degradation, abrasion, and puncture during installation. | Good, but generally lower resistance to UV and mechanical damage
than filament. |
| Conformability | Good conformability to irregular surfaces. | Excellent Conformability due to softer, bulkier structure. |
| Cost | Higher initial cost due to more complex manufacturing. | Lower initial cost. |
| Best Suited For | Critical, high-stress applications: Landfill liners/caps, heavy separation/reinforcement, basal layers
on soft soils, protection layers, demanding erosion control, under
high loads. | General separation, filtration, drainage: Road subgrades (less critical), drainage trenches, basic erosion
control, landscape fabric, beneath lighter hardscapes. |
