PFM Screen Wetlaid Forming Belts are precision-woven polyester monofilament mesh fabrics engineered as the forming wire in wet-laid nonwoven production lines. Positioned in the forming section beneath the headbox, the belt receives the fiber-water slurry, supports uniform fiber deposition across the full width, and rapidly drains process water — defining fiber distribution uniformity, surface smoothness, and fabric weight consistency.
Description
PFM Screen Wetlaid Forming Belts are precision-woven polyester monofilament mesh fabrics that serve as the critical forming wire in wet-laid nonwoven production lines. Positioned in the forming section directly beneath the headbox discharge, the forming belt receives the fiber-water slurry at line speed, supports uniform fiber deposition across the full belt width, and rapidly drains away process water — directly determining fiber distribution uniformity, surface mark-free quality, and fabric weight consistency for every meter of nonwoven produced.
With aperture openings calibrated for fiber lengths from 2 mm to 18 mm, air permeability of 8,300–10,100 m³/m²h enabling vacuum-assisted dewatering at production speeds up to 200 m/min, and dimensional stability under continuous wet mechanical tension, PFM Screen wetlaid forming belts serve as direct replacement and first-fit forming fabrics for battery separator substrate lines, glass and carbon fiber mat production, industrial filtration media, medical nonwovens, and ANDRITZ Wetlace / neXline wet-wipe systems.
The wetlaid process disperses short fibers in a large volume of water to create a homogeneous slurry. The forming belt is the stage where the fiber web is born — receiving the slurry from the headbox and transforming it into a coherent wet web:
01 Stock Preparation Fibers dispersed in water at 0.01–0.1% consistency. Dispersants and binder added. Slurry pumped to headbox. | 02 Headbox Delivery Fiber slurry jet delivered under uniform pressure onto the moving forming belt for even, mark-free fiber laydown. | 03 Forming & Dewatering Fibers settle on the mesh. Water drains through by gravity and vacuum suction. Belt aperture retains fibers while removing 99% of process water. | 04 Web Transfer & Bonding Wet web releases cleanly from the forming belt and transfers to press rolls, thermal bonding, or hydroentanglement. |
 Monofilament Plain-Weave Structure Woven from 0.5–0.6 mm polyester monofilament yarns in both warp and weft directions. The uniform plain-weave crossing creates precise, repeating aperture openings across the full fabric width — essential for mark-free, even-weight fiber deposition from a headbox running at 50–200 m/min. |  Aperture Calibrated for Fiber Length MD aperture openings of 0.45–0.55 mm retain fibers 2 mm and longer — covering glass micro-fiber, cellulose pulp, and chopped carbon strands. Finer-aperture model 09603 suits shorter or finer fibers such as glass micro-fiber or cellulose; more open model 09502 suits longer synthetic fiber slurries with higher drainage demand. |
Natural & Cellulosic Fibers · Wood pulp (NBKP, LBKP, softwood/hardwood) · Lyocell / Tencel regenerated cellulose · Viscose rayon staple fibers · Hemp and flax bast fibers | Synthetic Staple Fibers · Polyester (PET) staple fibers · Polypropylene (PP) fibers · Polyamide (PA / nylon) fibers · Bicomponent sheath-core bico fibers | Technical & High-Performance Fibers · E-glass and C-glass chopped strand (2–18 mm) · Chopped carbon fiber · Aramid fibers (Kevlar, Twaron) · Ceramic fibers for high-temperature mats |
Tell Us Your Fiber Type & Machine Model — Get a Specification in 24 Hours Share your fiber type, slurry concentration, belt width, machine speed, and current forming belt model — PFM Screen responds with a matched forming belt specification and price within one business day. WhatsApp: +86 153 6967 9157Email: polyestermesh@pfmscreen.com |
Feature
10,100 m³/m²·h Max. Air Permeability High-speed vacuum dewatering | 0.45 mm Fine Aperture MD opening — Model 09603 Retains glass micro-fiber & cellulose | 130°C Thermal Limit Continuous operating temperature Stable through dryer section passes | Custom Belt Width & Length Matched to your production line Endless or mechanical pin seam |
01 — Fine-Mesh Fiber Retention MD aperture openings of 0.45–0.55 mm reliably retain fibers 2 mm and longer — including glass micro-fiber, cellulose pulp, and chopped carbon strand — preventing fiber loss into the white water loop and maintaining consistent web basis weight across the full production width throughout the run. | 02 — High Air Permeability for Rapid Dewatering Air permeability of 8,300–10,100 m³/m²h enables high-volume vacuum-assisted drainage through the mesh, removing process water at production speeds up to 200 m/min without restricting drainage flow or increasing energy demand on vacuum box systems. |
03 — Dimensional Stability Under Wet Tension Polyester monofilament yarns maintain tensile strength and geometric stability under continuous wet mechanical load. The belt does not stretch, creep, or narrow over the production run — preserving calibrated aperture dimensions and ensuring consistent web weight from reel to reel. | 04 — Smooth Non-Adhesive Surface for Clean Web Release The smooth polyester monofilament surface allows the formed wet web to transfer cleanly from the forming belt to the press or hydroentanglement section without tearing or web breaks — reducing downtime and fiber waste in high-speed production lines. |
05 — Chemical Resistance for Process Conditions PET polyester monofilament resists weak acids, dispersants, retention aids, wet-strength binders, and standard cleaning agents used in wetlaid processing. The belt withstands the typical process water pH range of 4–9 without fiber degradation or loss of dimensional form. | 06 — Heat Stability for Dryer Section Passes Rated for continuous operation at up to 130°C, PFM wetlaid forming belts remain dimensionally stable when passing through the dryer entry zone — preventing belt shrinkage, waviness, or edge curl that cause tracking problems and web quality defects. |
07 — Wash Cycle Endurance for Long Service Life Designed for high-frequency high-pressure cleaning cycles using water jets and standard cleaning chemicals. The belt structure resists fiber build-up and aperture plugging under continuous production — maintaining drainage performance and forming quality over the belt's full service life. | 08 — Fully Customizable to Your Machine PFM Screen specifies each forming belt to your machine: wire diameter (warp/weft), mesh density, aperture size, total belt width, belt length, seam type (endless finger-splice or mechanical pin), and optional tracking guides. Custom mesh structures beyond standard models are available on request. |
| Property | PFM Polyester Monofilament | Stainless Steel Wire |
| Weight | Lightweight — low drive load on rolls | Heavy — higher drive power demand |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent — pH 4–9, acids, dispersants | Susceptible to acidic process water |
| Web Release | Smooth — non-adhesive, clean transfer | Can be sticky with binder-heavy slurries |
| Seaming / Joining | Finger-splice endless or pin seam | Difficult to seam in-field |
| Cleaning | Easy — high-pressure water jet | Requires specialised cleaning tools |
| Unit Cost | Cost-effective replacement cycle | High material and tooling cost |
| Failure Mode | Gradual wear — early detection possible | Brittle fracture — sudden failure risk |
Ready to Replace Your Forming Belt? Get a Specification & Quote in 24 Hours Send your current forming belt model number, belt width, machine line speed, and fiber type — PFM Screen will match the correct aperture and mesh structure for your production line. WhatsApp: +86 153 6967 9157Email: polyestermesh@pfmscreen.com |
Application
PFM Screen wetlaid forming belts are specified as direct replacement and first-fit forming fabrics across the full range of wet-laid nonwoven production processes. Belt model selection is based on fiber type, fiber length, slurry consistency, production speed, and the downstream bonding technology applied after forming.
| End Product | Typical Fiber Type | Fiber Length | Belt Requirement | Recommended Model |
| Battery Separator Substrates (Li-ion / Alkaline) | Glass micro-fiber, cellulose, PE/PP fiber | 2–6 mm | Fine aperture, high formation uniformity | PFM-Wetlaid-09603 |
| Glass Fiber Thermal Insulation Mats | E-glass, C-glass chopped strand fibers | 6–18 mm | Higher drainage capacity, wider aperture | PFM-Wetlaid-09502 or custom |
| Industrial Filtration Media (liquid / HEPA pre-filter) | Glass micro-fiber, polyester, cellulose blend | 3–12 mm | Uniform fiber distribution, mark-free surface | PFM-Wetlaid-09603 |
| Medical Nonwovens (wound care, surgical drapes) | Cellulose, Lyocell / Tencel, viscose | 2–6 mm | Smooth surface, fine aperture, mark-free | PFM-Wetlaid-09603 |
| Wetlace Wipes (wet-laid + hydroentangled) | Cellulose, Lyocell, viscose / PET blend | 4–12 mm | Clean web release to hydroentanglement | PFM-Wetlaid-09502 or custom |
| Food Filtration Papers (tea bags, coffee filters) | Cellulose, abaca, Nylon 66 fiber | 2–5 mm | Fine formation, smooth non-marking surface | PFM-Wetlaid-09603 |
| Carbon Fiber Nonwoven Mats (automotive / aerospace) | Chopped carbon fiber strand | 6–12 mm | Higher drainage, uniform even formation | PFM-Wetlaid-09502 or custom |
Industries Served:
Battery & Energy StorageGlass Fiber InsulationIndustrial FiltrationMedical & Hygiene NonwovensAutomotive & AerospaceFood-Grade Filtration Papers
PFM Screen wetlaid forming belts are custom-specified for compatibility with production lines from all major wetlaid nonwoven machine manufacturers. Share your machine make, model, and existing belt dimensions — PFM Screen will confirm the correct replacement specification.
| Machine Manufacturer | Machine Line / Technology | Belt Position | PFM Belt |
| ANDRITZ (Austria) | neXline wetlaid / neXformer / Wetlace | Forming wire / inclined former | 09603 or custom |
| Voith Paper / Toscotec (Germany / Italy) | Wetlaid forming section / paper-nonwoven hybrid lines | Forming fabric position | Custom per spec |
| Truetzschler Nonwoven (Germany) | Wetlaid-spunlace hybrid lines (Voith Paper integration) | Forming belt / transfer belt | Custom per spec |
| Campen Machinery (Denmark) | Glass fiber mat wetlaid production lines | Forming wire | 09502 or custom |
| Allimand (France) | Wetlaid / paper-nonwoven hybrid machines | Forming fabric position | Custom per spec |
| Kawanoe Zoki (Japan) | Wetlaid forming machines | Forming wire | Custom per spec |
* PFM Screen forming belts are independently manufactured replacement and first-fit products. Machine manufacturer names are referenced for compatibility identification purposes only and do not imply OEM authorisation.
Can't Find Your Machine Model? Send Us Your Current Belt Specs PFM Screen engineers have 30+ years of experience matching forming belt specifications across all major wetlaid machine platforms. Send your current belt width, length, density, and fiber type — we will confirm or custom-weave the right replacement. WhatsApp: +86 153 6967 9157Email: polyestermesh@pfmscreen.com |
Specifications
| Model | Warp Wire Dia (mm) | Weft Wire Dia (mm) | Warp Density (wire/cm) | Weft Density (wire/cm) | MD / CD Opening (mm) | Air Permeability (m³/m²h) |
| PFM-Wetlaid-09603 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 10.5 | 9.2 | 0.45 / 0.48 | 8,300 |
| PFM-Wetlaid-09502 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 0.55 / 0.53 | 10,100 |
MD = machine direction (warp direction) opening; CD = cross-machine direction (weft direction) opening. Air permeability measured per ISO 9237. Custom mesh specifications, widths, and lengths available on request.
 Model PFM-Wetlaid-09502 0.5/0.5 mm wires — 9.5×9.0 wire/cm — Air permeability 10,100 m³/m²h. Recommended for longer synthetic and glass fiber slurries requiring high drainage volume. |  Model PFM-Wetlaid-09603 0.5/0.6 mm wires — 10.5×9.2 wire/cm — Air permeability 8,300 m³/m²h. Finer aperture for battery separator, filtration media, and medical nonwoven production requiring maximum fiber retention. |
Q1: What is a wetlaid forming belt and how does it differ from a standard conveyor belt or a paper machine forming fabric? A wetlaid forming belt (also called a wetlaid forming wire or wetlaid forming fabric) is a precision-woven mesh belt positioned in the forming section of a wet-laid nonwoven production line. Unlike a standard conveyor belt — which only transports material — the forming belt has a calibrated open-mesh structure that simultaneously supports fiber deposition from the headbox and allows water to drain rapidly through the mesh by gravity and vacuum suction. It differs from a paper machine forming fabric in aperture size and fiber retention requirements: wetlaid nonwoven forming belts are typically coarser than paper machine fabrics to handle longer fibers (2–18 mm) at higher basis weights, while paper forming fabrics are engineered for sub-millimetre cellulose pulp fibers. |
Q2: Which fiber types and fiber lengths are compatible with PFM Screen wetlaid forming belts? PFM Screen wetlaid forming belts are engineered for fibers from 2 mm to 18 mm in length across all major wetlaid fiber categories: natural cellulosic fibers (wood pulp, Lyocell/Tencel, viscose, abaca), synthetic staple fibers (PET, PP, PA, bicomponent), and technical fibers (E-glass, C-glass chopped strand, carbon fiber, aramid). The aperture size is selected based on the shortest fiber in the slurry and the target formation uniformity. Contact PFM Screen with your fiber specification — we will confirm the appropriate model or engineer a custom aperture for your application. |
Q3: How do I choose between model PFM-Wetlaid-09502 and PFM-Wetlaid-09603? The two models differ in mesh density, aperture size, and air permeability. Model 09603 (10.5×9.2 wire/cm, MD opening 0.45 mm, air permeability 8,300 m³/m²h) has a finer, denser mesh — recommended for battery separator substrates, medical nonwovens, food filtration papers, and industrial filtration media where short or fine fibers must be retained and surface formation must be mark-free. Model 09502 (9.5×9.0 wire/cm, MD opening 0.55 mm, air permeability 10,100 m³/m²h) has a more open structure — recommended for glass fiber insulation mats, carbon fiber nonwoven mats, and wetlace wipes where longer fibers and higher drainage volume are the priority. If neither standard model exactly matches your process, PFM Screen can engineer a custom mesh specification. |
Q4: Can PFM Screen supply forming belts compatible with ANDRITZ, Voith, or Campen wetlaid production lines? Yes. PFM Screen supplies wetlaid forming belts compatible with production lines from ANDRITZ (neXline wetlaid, neXformer, Wetlace), Voith Paper / Toscotec (wetlaid forming sections and paper-nonwoven hybrid machines), Truetzschler Nonwoven, Campen Machinery (glass fiber mat lines), Allimand, and Kawanoe Zoki. To specify the correct replacement belt, please share your machine manufacturer, machine model, current forming belt dimensions (width × length), mesh density or model number, and the fiber type processed. PFM Screen will confirm the matching specification within 24 hours. Note: PFM Screen forming belts are independently manufactured replacement products and are not OEM-authorised by the machine manufacturers listed. |
Q5: What seam type should I specify for a wetlaid nonwoven forming belt? For most wetlaid forming belt applications, the endless (finger-splice) seam is preferred. The endless joint is seamless on the web contact surface — eliminating seam marks in the formed nonwoven, which is critical for battery separator substrates, medical fabrics, and filtration media where basis weight uniformity across the full belt width is required. Mechanical pin seams are available for applications where the belt must be installed through a restricted machine opening or where on-machine splicing is necessary. Discuss your machine geometry, roll configuration, and product quality requirements with PFM Screen to confirm the correct seam type for your line. |
Q6: How long is the expected service life of a PFM Screen wetlaid polyester forming belt? Service life for wetlaid polyester forming belts typically ranges from 6 months to 24 months depending on production line speed, fiber type abrasiveness (glass fibers shorten belt life relative to cellulose or synthetic fibers), cleaning frequency and chemical aggressiveness, and machine tension settings. Belts used in high-speed glass fiber mat lines at aggressive tensions will show faster wear than belts used in slower cellulose or medical nonwoven lines. PFM Screen recommends scheduling a belt inspection every 3–6 months and maintaining a replacement belt in inventory to avoid unplanned downtime. Contact PFM Screen to discuss expected life for your specific process conditions. |
Q7: How should I clean and maintain a wetlaid polyester forming belt? Routine cleaning is performed using high-pressure water jets (oscillating shower systems mounted inside the forming loop) during production runs. For deeper cleaning during scheduled stops, brush washing with neutral or mildly acidic cleaning agents effectively removes fiber and binder build-up. Avoid strongly alkaline cleaning chemicals (pH above 10) as these can degrade the PET polyester fiber over time. After cleaning, inspect aperture openness by backlit visual inspection — plugged mesh areas will show as dark spots and should be addressed before they impair drainage. Check seam integrity and belt tracking guides at each cleaning interval. For glass-fiber lines, inspect belt edges for abrasive wear from glass particles accumulated at the belt return. |
Q8: What information do I need to provide to get a quotation for a custom wetlaid forming belt? To prepare an accurate custom forming belt specification and quotation, PFM Screen requires the following: (1) Fiber type and fiber length range; (2) Belt width (mm); (3) Belt total length / circumference (mm), or roll and forming section dimensions for calculation; (4) Target aperture size or current belt mesh model / density if known; (5) Seam type required (endless finger-splice or mechanical pin); (6) Machine manufacturer and model if available; (7) Annual consumption quantity. Share these details via WhatsApp (+86 153 6967 9157) or email (polyestermesh@pfmscreen.com) and PFM Screen will respond with a full specification and ex-works pricing within one business day. No minimum order quantity applies — single replacement belts are accepted. |
Ready to Order? Get Your Custom Forming Belt Quote Within 24 Hours Send us your belt width, fiber type, machine model, and required quantity — PFM Screen will respond with a full specification, lead time, and ex-works pricing within one business day. No minimum order quantity. WhatsApp: +86 153 6967 9157Email: polyestermesh@pfmscreen.com |
