Study on mechanical properties for the development of reusable PPE for the health care workers

Abstract

The purpose of personal protective equipment is to be a layer of protection for the healthcare workers and to act as a barrier from contact with the biological hazards in the form of fluids and aerosol particle. These PPE suits are mostly nonwoven materials, made by polymer fibers since it has good protection but these nonwoven PPE are disposable and also non-biodegradable. The strength of these non-woven fabrics are comparatively low. An alternate to the nonwoven PPE can be developed to come across these disadvantages. The regenerated bamboo fiber possess natural anti- microbial properties and has been used in the production of medical textiles. The anti-microbial fiber which is developed by injecting an anti-microbial agent to viscose fiber tends to be high protective. The mechanical properties of yarn and fabric is so important in the development of woven PPE. The fabric weave should be more compact structure to act as a barrier and the yarn used should be of fine count so that the thread count of the fabric can be higher. Higher the thread count, more compact weave can be achieved. Thus in this paper the mechanical properties of yarn and fabric parameters needed for the development of reusable PPE from the bamboo fiber, anti-microbial fiber with different blend ratio of 100% Bamboo fiber, 100% Anti-microbial fiber, 50:50, 65:35 and 35:65 has been studied. The mechanical properties of yarn such as yarn count, yarn twist, yarn strength and elongation, wicking and the parameters considered for the development of fabric has been analyzed for five samples and the result conclude the best for the development of reusable PPE.