Technical Textile Applications Research Articles

Development of Antibacterial Biomaterial: Optimization method of Bauhinia varigata L. Extract on Cotton Bamboo Blended Fabric

Aim: The present study reports the development of antibacterial biomaterial by optimization method of Bauhinia varigata Linn. extract. Bauhinia Variegata is an edible plant belongs to family (Fabaceae/Leguminosae). Bauhinia varigata Linn., commonly referred to as Kanchna. Ayurvedic medical practice has long utilized Bauhinia's leaves, blossoms, and stem bark as a treatment for a variety of illnesses.
 Methods: Cotton Bamboo fabric (50+50 cotton-bamboo blend) were finished using optimization parameters such as herbal concentrations (1, 2 and 3%), binder concentrations (1, 2 and 3%) and wet pick-up percentages (50, 100 and 200%). The EN ISO 20645 test technique for antibacterial activity was employed as the functional test to examine all the samples under various optimum settings. The completed samples were examined using textile standards for their physical and comfort characteristics after the most optimal condition was determined.
 Result: In bamboo cotton, RUN-16 finished with 3% herbal concentrates showed maximum inhibitory zones. The fabric's count, thickness, air permeability, and wicking qualities did not significantly change following the application of selected herbal concentrations. It demonstrates that ideal finishing conditions have no effect on the intrinsic characteristics of fabric samples. Statistical information from the analysis further confirmed it. It was found that higher herbal concentrations of 3% in all selected RUNs expressed stronger antibacterial inhibitory zones against the two test bacteria.
 Conclusion: The obtained results emphasized that the developed antibacterial biomaterial of B. varigata finished fabrics shall be used for technical textile applications.

Eco-friendly, efficient and durable flame retardant coating for cotton fabrics using phytic acid/silane hybrid sol

Durable and green flame retardant cellulosic materials are significantly important in home and technical textile applications. This research endeavoured to the development of robust flame retardant coating for cellulosic fiber by naturally existing FR agent, phytic acid in amalgamation with (3-(2- aminoethylamino)-propyltrimethoxysilane in a facile way. A phosphorous and the silica-rich hybrid system was coated onto the fiber surface to render durable flame retardant properties that sustained up to 50 laundering cycles. SEM images revealed the establishment of a hybrid layer onto the fiber surface which formed a barrier layer against the transfer of fire. LOI (limited oxygen index value) of the coated fabric reached 31 % showing stupendous flame retardancy. Thermal decay of coated fabric was 41.9 % and 30 % less at 600 °C for coated fabric before and after 50 consecutive washing cycles, respectively. The developed fabric represents significant potential in practical applications by achieving efficient fire safety through the exploitation of environmentally benevolent chemicals and comparatively limited processing steps, hence making this suitable to be adaptable on large scale.

Preparation and Characterization of Non-Crimping Laminated Textile Composites Reinforced with Electrospun Nanofibers.

This research investigated the use of electrospun nanofibers as reinforcing laminates in textiles to enhance their mechanical properties for use as smart and technical textile applications. Crimping plays a crucial role in textiles. Because of crimp, fabrics have extensibility, compressibility, and improved quality. Although crimping is inevitable for fabrics used in smart textiles, it is also a disadvantage as it could weaken the fibers and reduce their strength and efficiency. The study focused on preparing laminated textile composites by electrospinning a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer onto textile fabric. The research examined the effect of electrospun nanofibers on the fabric by using a tensile testing machine and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the prepared laminated textile was crimp-free because of the orientation of the nanofibers directly electrospun on the fabric, which exhibited perfect bonding between the laminates. Additionally, the nanofiber-reinforced composite fabrics demonstrated a 75.5% increase in the elastic moduli and a 20% increase in elongation at breaking. The study concluded that the use of electrospun nanofibers as laminates in textile composites could enhance the elastic properties, and prepared laminated composites will have the advantages of nanofibers, such as crimp-free elastic regions. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the laminated textile composite were compared with those of the micromechanical models, providing a deeper understanding of the behavior of these laminated composites.

Flame-Retardance Functionalization of Jute and Jute-Cotton Fabrics.

Jute is a ligno-cellulosic natural fiber that ranks second in terms of the volume of cellulosic fibers and is extensively utilized for technical textile applications. The goal of this study is to determine the flame-retardance (FR) properties of pure Jute and Jute-Cotton fabrics treated with Pyrovatex CP New at concentrations of 90% (owf), M:L: 1:7. Both fabrics exhibited a substantial improvement in flame-retardancy. After the ignition period, the recorded flame spread time in both FR treated fabrics was zero seconds; whereas for untreated Jute and Jute-Cotton fabrics, the flame spread time was measured 21 s and 28 s, respectively, to burn their entire length (15 cm). Within these flame-spread times, the length of the char was 2.1 cm and 2.57 cm in the Jute and Jute-Cotton fabrics, respectively. After FR finishing, on both fabrics in the warp and weft directions, the physico-mechanical properties significantly decreased. The deposition of flame-retardant finishes on the fabric surface was determined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. According to Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, the flame-retardant chemical had no effect on the inherent properties of the fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis revealed that FR treated fabrics had early degradation, resulting in the formation of more char than in the untreated samples. After FR treatment, both fabrics showed a significant improvement in residual mass (more than 50%). Although the formaldehyde content observed in the FR treated samples was significantly greater, it was still within the permitted limit formaldehyde content in textiles intended for outerwear and not worn next to the skin. The results of this investigation demonstrate the potential use of Pyrovatex CP New in jute-based materials.

Study and characterization of Moroccan wool fibers for the development of non-woven products

Wool fibers have been used as textile raw materials for clothing and home textiles for many years. Recently, it has also been increasingly used in technical textile applications. However, man-made fibers dominate the market and minimize the importance of wool in the textile industry. On the other hand, the great future opportunity for wool is the growing interest of consumers in natural, renewable and sustainable materials. In addition, in the past few decades, wool production has improved significantly in terms of yield and quality.In this study we have characterized and applied different analysis on the physical and chemical properties of raw Moroccan wool using various instruments such as FTIR and OFDA, etc., and several test methods according international standards like grease rate, alkali content, acid content, Solubility in alkali and Tensile strength, etc. The aim of our study is to determine the potential use of wool for elaboration of nonwoven textile for a technical use and determine their end-use applications.

Coating Machine Developed for Technical and Smart Textile Applications

In today's textile industry, besides products that appeal to fashion, functional technical and smart textile products obtained by integrating many technologies into clothing are in demand. Many functional properties such as antibacterial, heat and electrical conductivity can be applied to yarns and fabrics by production methods such as impregnation, exhaust, etc. However, the current yarn coating technology has disadvantages such as inability to make homogeneous coating with different chemicals and low coating durability. In this study, the coating process was carried out in a yarn coating machine, which was developed to allow one-wire coating from bobbin to bobbin, which is the first in the sector, and the effect of the coating method on the yarn properties was evaluated by examining the performance characteristics.

Simultaneous dyeing and multifunctional finishing of natural fabrics with Hibiscus flowers extract

A new sustainable and environmentally benign approach was developed for multifunctional natural fabric/fiber surfaces for healthcare and technical textiles applications. This approach is to explore, identify and evaluate the bioactive compounds extracted from Hibiscus flowers by different solvents as a potential benign agent for multifunctional natural fabrics/fibers via three different designs. In the first design, a novel green route to producing multifunctional cotton gauze fabrics was adopted. In this design, the silver nanoparticles were simultaneously synthesized and deposited on the cotton gauze fabrics through in situ synthesis using silver nitrate and Hibiscus flower extract without further additives. The second design was focused on the application of Hibiscus flower extract for simultaneous coloration and bioactive functionalization of wool fibers. In the third design, cotton fabrics were dyed with Hibiscus flower extract were used to create an eco-friendly, reversible pH sensor. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermal analysis were used to investigate the chemical and thermal properties of the treated fabrics/fibers. Coloration, sensor properties, and protective properties against pathogenic microorganisms and UV radiation, as well as antioxidant properties, were evaluated in treated fabrics.

Hybrid and intelligent textile structures for composites structural health monitoring in automotive industry

Automotive industry is a sector where the technologic development aims to fulfil high standard requirements regarding safety, energy efficiency and environmental pollution. The development and application of technical textiles as a reinforcement for polymeric matrixes to form high performance composite materials that comply with automotive industry standards has been increasing. Nowadays composite materials are an integral part of vehicles bringing advantages both in terms of mechanical performance and lightweighting. The current technical textiles applied in this sector focus on high mechanical performance through the application of fibres such as carbon fibre, aramid and glass fibre, these textiles combined with thermoplastic materials result in recyclable composites that reduce environmental pollution. This work was developed in the framework of TexBoost project co-financed by COMPETE 2020 – the Operational. Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization, under Portugal 2020 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). TexBoost PPS3 (AN1/AN2) main objective is the development of smart and hybrid textile structures that when integrated in the matrix result in not only high mechanical performance composites but also smart composites with structural health monitoring capabilities, allowing the evaluation of potential structural fails and necessity of vehicle part replacement (preventive maintenance of automotive parts). Therefore, different types of sensing fibres are being developed, characterized and weaved in a textile structure with carbon fibres to be further integrated in polymeric matrixes. All the developed composites are being characterized both in terms of mechanical and electrical performance.&nbsp

Radial gradients in PET monofilaments: A Raman mapping and SAXS tomography study

Surface properties of monofilaments can be tailored with radial structural gradients, which is of specific interest for technical textile applications. Radial gradients in fine (≤ 40 μm thick) poly(ethylene terephthalate) monofilaments have been studied with high-resolution Raman mapping and one-dimensional microbeam small-angle x-ray scattering tomography. Filaments have been melt-spun by using online and offline drawing techniques. Radial structural gradients are strongly affected by the drawing method. Raman mapping revealed that offline drawn filaments have a higher crystallinity in the core than in the surface region, whereas the opposite is the case for online drawn filaments. The molecular alignment was the highest in the core for all filaments. Microbeam SAXS tomography revealed that the long-spacing between crystals, in the direction of the fiber axis, increases towards the fiber surface. Fibers that have been drawn to a larger extent, resulting in improved tensile strength, have been found to have a larger long-spacing.

Surface Modification of Bast Fiber Yarns for Technical Textile and Composite Applications via Chemical and Enzymatic Treatment

Surface Modification of Bast Fiber Yarns for Technical Textile and Composite Applications via Chemical and Enzymatic Treatment

Separation of fiber bundles from willow bark using sodium bicarbonate and their novel use in yarns for superior UV protection and antibacterial performance

The development of a mild and green method for separating natural fiber bundles from willow bark is an essential step in exploring and preserving their natural functions. The isolation of well-oriented fiber bundles from the bark of a fast-growing willow hybrid solely using sodium bicarbonate under mild conditions was successfully demonstrated. Additionally, Lyocell fibers were mixed with an equal amount of the willow bark fiber bundles and proved their ability to convert into spun yarns, which provided excellent protection for ultraviolet radiation (UPF ≥ 140). Moreover, these yarns demonstrated strong antibacterial activity (A ≥ 8) against the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in complete eradication of viable bacteria after 24 -h incubation with the material. A laundering treatment had no effect on the UV protection or the antibacterial performance. Utilizing these inherent properties from natural fibers for technical textile applications is very promising.

Multi-objective optimization of extraction of Tunisian Washingtonia filifera fibers for technical textile applications

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of extraction treatment method on the properties of WPF (Washingtonia palm fibres). The employed treatment is a combined mechanical and chemical sodium hydroxide. The treatment processes was described and evaluated. The physical properties (linear density, diameter and extraction yield), and the mechanical properties (tenacity) of WPF were measured. The optimum extraction condition has been determined by a statistical study using desirability function. Obtained fibres under optimal conditions were characterized with morphological test (SEM), chemical tests (FT-IR spectra, X ray diffraction) and thermal test (TGA). Fibre obtained can be employed on technical textile applications and in particular drylaid nonwoven.

Multi-objective optimization of extraction of Tunisian Washingtonia filifera fibers for technical textile applications

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of extraction treatment method on the properties of WPF (Washingtonia palm fibres). The employed treatment is a combined mechanical and chemical sodium hydroxide. The treatment processes was described and evaluated. The physical properties (linear density, diameter and extraction yield), and the mechanical properties (tenacity) of WPF were measured. The optimum extraction condition has been determined by a statistical study using desirability function. Obtained fibres under optimal conditions were characterized with morphological test (SEM), chemical tests (FT-IR spectra, X ray diffraction) and thermal test (TGA). Fibre obtained can be employed on technical textile applications and in particular drylaid nonwoven.

Strongly Hydrophobic and Superoleophilic PMMA Based Nanocoated Cotton Fabrics

Oil–water separation is among the critical issues worldwide due to recent massive oil spills. Moreover, domestic and industrial water pollution due to oil discharge affects marine and aquatic life. Cotton is the most predominant fiber globally because of its use as a principal and popular clothing material. Cotton is also the leading raw material for technical and functional textile applications. In this study, the fabric was cured with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles to develop hydrophobic and oleophilic cotton fabrics. The dehydrating agents, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and dimethyl aminopyridine (DMAP), were used to catalyze the esterification. The results proved that the excellent hydrophobicity of modified cotton fabric provides a water contact angle higher than 140°. In addition, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, confirmed the fabric surface modification. Surface morphological analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the uniform rough surface structure of the modified fabric with nano-coating. The modified fabric resulted in the high separation efficiency of oil and water, suggesting this strategy to be suitable for advanced oil–water separation.

Extraction and Characterization of Corn Leaf Fiber

ABSTRACT Corn leaves were collected after harvesting corn and the fibers were extracted by water retting. The fibers were subjected to alkali treatment in order to enhance the mechanical as well as handle properties. The physico-mechanical properties of the retted and alkali-treated corn leaf fibers were analyzed using various analytical and statistical methods. The change in chemical composition due to alkali treatment was determined using Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy and chemical composition analysis. Results inferred that 15 days retting gives better quality of fibers. The alkali treatment resulted in the removal of lignin, fats, and waxes as well as the disintegration of individual fibers from the retted fiber bunch. Bundle strength, elongation, and moisture properties were found to improve after chemical treatment. The study shows that corn leaf fiber has good potential in technical textile applications.

Testing thermoplastic elastomers selected as flexible three-dimensional printing materials for functional garment and technical textile applications

Three-dimensional printing has already been shown to be beneficial to the fabrication of custom-fit and functional products in different industry sectors such as orthopaedics, implantology and dental technology. Especially in personal protective equipment and sportswear, three-dimensional printing offers opportunities to produce functional garments fitted to body contours by directly printing protective and (posture) supporting elements on textiles. In this article, different flexible thermoplastic elastomers, namely, thermoplastic polyurethanes and thermoplastic styrene block copolymers with a Shore hardness range of 67A–86A are tested as suitable printing materials by means of extrusion-based fused deposition modelling. For this, adhesion force, abrasion and wash resistance tests are conducted using various knitted and woven workwear and sportswear fabrics primarily made of cotton, polyester or aramid as textile substrates. Due to polar interactions between thermoplastic polyurethane and textile substrates, excellent adhesion and high fastness to washing is observed. While fused-deposition-modelling-printed polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane polymers keep their abrasion–resistant properties, polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethanes are more prone to hydrolysis and can be partially degraded if presence of moisture cannot be excluded during polymer processing and printing. Thermoplastic styrene compounds generally exhibit lower adhesion and abrasion resistance, but these properties can be sufficient depending on the requirements of a particular application. Soft thermoplastic styrene filaments can be processed down to a Shore hardness of 70A resulting in three-dimensional printed parts with good quality and comfortable soft-touch surface. Finally, three demonstrator case studies are presented covering the entire process to realize the customized and three-dimensional printed textile. This encompasses product development and fabrication of a textile integrated custom-fit back protector and knee protector as well as customized functionalization of a technical interior textile for improved acoustic comfort. In the future, printing material modifications by compounding processes have to be taken into account for optimized functional performance.

Mouldability and its Recovery Properties of 2D Plain Woven P-aramid Fabric for Soft Body Armour Applications

Mouldability, along with other mechanical properties, is a very crucial material parameter in various technical textile applications, from composites to soft body armour products. Moreover, the mouldability and recovery behaviours of the material will be affected by various internal and external paramters before, during and after the forming process. The current research particularly tried to study the effects of blank-holder pressure (BHP) and the number of layers not only on the moulding characterstics but also on the recovery behaviour of plain woven p-aramid fabrics made from a high-performance yarn with a linear density of 930 dTex. Samples with various numbers of layers were arranged in the same orientation for the moulding process. The moulding approach utilised a specific moulding device in a low-speed forming process and a predefined semi-hemispherically shaped punch for all specimens.Various important dry textile material moulding characteristics and, most importantly, the moulding recovery properties, such as warp and weft direction drawing-in recovery, center high-point recovery, shear angle recovery etc. were investigated.

Strength loss of glass yarn during weft knitting

Weft-knitted fabrics from glass yarns present many advantages in technical textile applications. However, due to their stiff and brittle nature; glass fibers can easily be broken during weft knitting process that creates broken fiber ends on the fabric surface, and deteriorates the performance of resultant fabric. In this study, weft-knitted glass fabrics with four different knit architectures, and two different cam settings were produced. Number of yarn ply was also varied as 2- and 3-ply. The effect of all these input parameters on strength loss of glass yarn was examined via measuring virgin and unravelled yarn strengths in loop form. Results showed that knit pattern, cam setting and number of yarn ply did not affect the unravelled loop yarn strength at statistically significant level. On the other hand; unravelled yarns exhibited better loop strength than virgin yarns that was attributed to uniform distribution of fibers over cross sectional area of yarn as a result of knitting process.

A New Stitching Technology for Improved Thermal Insulation of 3D Nowoven Assemblies

3D fabrics are in various forms and shapes and are used in different applications of technical textiles. The functional purpose of their use is primarily to create a barrier or maintain a distance between two mediums. Fabrics from knitting or weaving machines are mostly not in their end product shape. They have to be joined with different forms of joining methods, mostly sewing to obtain its final form. Usually the conventional method of sewing compresses the 3D fabrics at points of needle insertion and the fabrics do not perform along stitch line as they perform in rest of their plane. Spacer stitching is a new joining method developed, which particularly addresses the problems related to compressions along stitch lines. Spacer stitching samples are tested with skin model and the thermal resistance along stitch line are compared with conventional lockstitch sewing method. With the help of infrared technology, thermal emissions have been studied for spacer stitching and conventional lockstitch, compared and presented in this paper.

Influences of fabric density on mechanical and moulding behaviours of 3D warp interlock para-aramid fabrics for soft body armour application

For the past many decades’ enormous research has been done on mechanical and moulding properties of 2D woven and non-woven fabrics. The current paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the tensile, bending and moulding behaviours of 3D orthogonal warp interlock fabrics with different fabric densities. Four 3D warp interlock fabrics with different areal density made from 168Tex linear density p-aramid Kevlar yarn were manufactured on dobby loom in GEMTEX laboratory. Based on the investigation both fabric density and yarn density shows a significant effect on bending and tensile properties of the fabrics. The bending rigidity in the warp and weft directions become higher in preforms with denser weft and warp yarn densities respectively. In general, as the yarn density in the respective warp or/and weft direction increases, the maximum tensile load with maximum strain increases. Moreover, the fabric and yarn density has also shown a great impact on various mouldability characteristics of 3D warp interlock preforms while deformation. The study finally elucidated that, like other parameters, fabric and the yarn density of 3D warp interlock influenced greatly the tensile, bending and moulding properties where those parameters should be considered carefully while applying in various technical textile applications i.e., soft body armour.