Nonwoven Fabric Composites Research Articles

Development of Sound Absorbing Recycled Nonwoven Composite Materials

The Sound absorbent textile materials, especially nonwoven composite structure of reclaimed materials which have low manufacturing costs, low relative density and are more attractive. In this research the use of reclaimed cotton and polyester fiber for production of sound absorption nonwoven composite materials has been investigated. Three different blend ratios of reclaimed cotton and polyester fibers that is 25:75, 40:60 and 50:50 have been used. The reclaimed cotton and polyester nonwoven composites are specified for their physical properties, such as thickness, areal density, bulk density, porosity and sound absorption characteristics in the frequency range of 250HZ-2KHZ. The values of the sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient acquired signifies that the reclaimed polyester fiber nonwoven composite holds excellent sound absorption behavior in the entire frequency range. Before compressed reclaimed cotton/polyester nonwoven composite of 25:75 blend ratios with greater bulk density and lower porosity is seen to give excellent performance while using the provided air gap behind the reclaimed cotton/polyester nonwoven composites.

A strategy for assembling the multilayer polymeric nanofibers on nonwoven fabric with controlled porosity

Free standing layer of PA6 nanofibers was prepared using electrospinning method on the multilayered composite nonwoven fabrics for better control over the elimination of metal ions in contaminated water. Electrospun nanofiber membranes showed superior performance due to their controlled porosity, better modular design and flexibility. Recently, increasing attention has been given to hydrophilic membranes such as PA6 which resulted decreased bio and organic fouling. We have developed a strategy to generate the composite nanofibers-based membrane over polyester/leno multilayer to produce a hierarchical structure for efficient elimination of metal ions at various concentration of feed stock solution. The functionalized carbon nanotube-graphene hybrid nanofillers have been introduced in the nanofiber morphology using electrospinning to further increase the hydrophilicity and selectivity towards elimination of toxic metal ions. A series of high-resolution microscopic studies and BET analysis have been carried out to illustrate the resultant composite nanofibrous web uniformly deposited over nonwoven fabrics where the mean fiber diameter was ranging from 190-350 nm. It has been found that the flux rate critically depends upon the porosity of the hierarchical multilayer fabrics which in turn established the importance of the percentage loading of nanofibers on the membrane.

Introduction of raw palm fibers in the textile industry by development of nonwoven composite materials based on Washingtonia palm fibers

In this study, three new needle-punched nonwoven composites were successfully developed by mixing raw palm fiber with cotton, wool and polyester fibers at a ratio of 70:30 by weight. Each fiber and nonwoven material developed has been characterized physical, structural, mechanical and thermal properties. The results showed a weak adhesion between wool, cotton, and polyester fibers with palm fiber, this was confirmed by SEM analysis. In addition, the high diameter of the palm fibers resulted in high porosity of nonwoven materials. The thermal resistance is therefore enhanced. Maximum porosity is observed for nonwoven Palm/Wool (89.51%) compared to other nonwovens. Their thermal conductivity is then the lowest (36.84 mW/m.K at 25°C). On the other hand, the highest tensile strength (162.30 N) was achieved by nonwoven Palm/ Polyester with a thermal conductivity of 38.76 mW/m.K at 25°C. Furthermore, nonwovens' tensile strength did not significantly change after the climatic ageing test.

Prewetting Polypropylene-Wood Pulp Fiber Composite Nonwoven Fabric for Oil–Water Separation

The removal of oil from the water surface is vital to protect the environment and living organisms against the threats posed by industrial oily wastewater and offshore oil spills. High cost, low efficiency, and environmental pollution limit the widespread use of the commercial methods of oil-water separation. In this study, the prewetting polypropylene-wood pulp fiber composite nonwoven fabric (PWNF) has been used in the gravity-driven separation of the oil-water mixture. The prewetting PWNF displayed superior underwater oleophobic properties, and the underwater kerosene contact angle was 137.65° ± 4.27°. The oil-water interfacial tension in the microchannels among the PWNF fibers prevented the oil from passing through the microchannels; however, it allowed the passage of water. The PWNF membrane maintained an excellent oil-water separation performance after repeated separation and long-term soaking cycles. The separation membrane maintained 75% and 50% of the initial separation performance after 40 repeat cycles and water immersion for more than 20 days, respectively. The separation rate of the PWNF membrane was also investigated as a function of salt solution concentration, temperature, and pH. Meanwhile, the influences of prewetting time, prewetting temperature, and different dyeing condition of the mixture on the separation rate were clarified. The destruction of the oil-water contact interface was suggested as the main failure mode of the developed PWNF separation membrane. The maximum kerosene height that the PWNF separation membrane could sustain was 800 mm. The obtained results confirmed that the PWNF separation membrane exhibited the high potential of widespread use in various environments for achieving efficient and stable separations, especially for the oily wastewater treatment.

Deposition of Copper on Poly(Lactide) Non-Woven Fabrics by Magnetron Sputtering-Fabrication of New Multi-Functional, Antimicrobial Composite Materials.

The paper presents the method of synthesis; physico-technical and biological characterization of a new composite material (PLA–Cu0) obtained by sputter deposition of copper on melt-blown poly(lactide) (PLA) non-woven fabrics. The analysis of these biofunctionalized non-woven fabrics included: ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) transmittance; scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS); attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; ability to block UV radiation; filtration parameters (air permeability); and tensile testing. The functionalized non-woven composite materials were subjected to antimicrobial tests against colonies of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria and antifungal tests against the Chaetomium globosum fungal mould species. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of PLA–Cu0 suggests potential applications as an antimicrobial material.

Degradable dual co-electrospun polyester based nonwovens for guided tissue regeneration

Abstract In this study, initial experiments are presented regarding the suitability of polyester based nonwoven composite materials for guided tissue regeneration based on degradation. The in vitro degradation of poly(lactic-coglycolic acid)/polydioxanone and polycaprolactone/ polydioxanone mats has been performed under accelerated condition in alkaline glycine buffer at 50 °C for 21 days. The degradation of the materials has been characterized regarding total mass loss and macroscopic morphological changes, as well as determination of the molecular weight degradation via GPC experiments.

Adhesion‐type composites made of elastic polymer films and high resilience nonwoven fabrics: Manufacturing techniques and property evaluations

AbstractIn this study, high resilience polyester fibers and low melting point polyester (LMPET) fibers are blended at varying ratios in order to form buffering composite nonwoven fabrics. Next, the employment of hot pressing enables the combination of the fabrics and elastic polymer films. The mechanical and buffering properties of the composites are evaluated in terms of the blending ratio and the thickness of the composites. As per the interface observation and the results of the peel test, the nonwoven fabrics and polymer films are firmly bonded. The tensile test results indicate that when there is more content of LMPET fibers, the reinforcement to the composites is greater. Conversely, the puncture test results indicate that the LMPET‐fiber‐free composites possess 1.4 times higher puncture resistance. Based on the results of the hammer rebound and compression recovery tests, a greater thickness provides the composites with better buffering efficacy.

Composite Nonwovens with Natural Additive

Various methods of nonwoven composite materials manufacturing are known. One such method is the well-known technique called spun-bonding. The production technology for composite nonwoven by the spun-bond method is known, but the technique of introducing an additive in the form of shredded wastes of natural origin so as to obtain a composite nonwoven fabric with interesting functional properties is new. The article describes a method of producing an innovative composite nonwoven using the spun-bond technique. As a result of incorporating various additives into the nonwoven structure, composite nonwovens with modified properties are obtained. Composite nonwovens, depending on the additive used, can be utilised as filtration material in the construction, agriculture or automotive industry.

Homogenization-based multiscale analysis for equivalent mechanical properties of nonwoven carbon-fiber fabric composites

To improve fuel efficiency in the automotive industry, several researchers have made many attempts to replace heavy materials among the automotive components. Hence, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites have drawn significant interest from the automotive and aerospace industries. Continuous and discontinuous carbon fiber are used as representative reinforcing materials in composite manufacturing. Recently, the use of discontinuous-fiber-reinforced plastics has increased, compared to that of continuous-fiber-reinforced plastics, owing to their cost efficiency, weight reduction, and relatively easy fabrication and handling. For composite materials, it is very important to predict mechanical properties due to their various constituents and manufacturing method. In this study, we performed a numerical analysis using homogenization technique to evaluate the equivalent mechanical properties of composites combining a nonwoven carbon fiber fabric reinforcement and epoxy resin matrix. We then compared these results with the experimental results. To calculate the equivalent mechanical properties of composites, we modeled repeating unit cells (RUCs) for homogenization-based multiscale approach, and performed finite element analysis. At the microscale level, this method was compared with the rule of mixture (ROM) theory, which is a typical homogenization technique. Based on the proven homogenization technique, we modeled RUCs for randomly distributed nonwoven carbon fiber fabric (NW-CFF) composites at the mesoscale level and calculated its equivalent properties. At the macroscale level, at which these properties could be verified, we compared the equivalent mechanical properties calculated with experimental test results, such as those of tensile, shear stiffness and Poisson’s ratio.

Effect of Polyethylene Film Lamination on the Water Absorbency of Hydrophilic-finished Polypropylene Non-woven Fabric

Polyethylene/Polypropylene (PE/PP) composite non-woven fabrics have been used widely for surgical packages due to its dual features of PE surface and PP surfaces. PP fabric pre-treated by hydrophilic agent provides high water absorbency, while PE surface is responsible for high barrier functions. However, the PP water absorbency declines once PE film is laminated, and no report devoted to study the extent and the reasons of this declining. Herein, the hydrophilic finishing of the PP non-woven fabrics was processed via Kiss-roll method, then the PE/PP fabrics were obtained using a normal hot melt adhesive PE film laminating process. The wicking height, water absorption specific gravity (LAC%), static contact angle, as well as the complete wetting time of the finished PP and PE/PP fabric were measured and compared. Meanwhile, the SEM was used to detect the morphology changing. The results revealed that the pores between fibers in the PP non-woven were filled with non-hydrophilic hot melt adhesive penetrated during PE lamination, so that the PP structure changed to be less porous. Moreover, the laminated PP layer actually blocks the water flow channel in the system, resulting in the absorbency reduction after lamination. As a result, comparing with the PP non-woven fabric, the wicking height of the PE/PP fabric decreased by 25.3 %, the LAC % value reduced by 40.83 %, and the complete wetting time extended from 0.29 s to 1.74 s.

Using Agricultural Waste to Create More Environmentally Friendly and Affordable Products and Help Poor Coconut Farmers

Each year, 64 000 000 000 coconuts are harvested around the world. The coconut water, coconut milk and/are coconut oil are produced from the coconut, leaving behind the coconut shells and the coconut husks, which are not well utilized. Exciting new ways to utilized coconut shell powder as function filler in engineering plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene and to utilize coir fiber from the husk with polypropylene in non-woven fabric composites. These application demonstrate that the resulting environmental friendly composite materials have enhanced mechanical properties at a reduced cost.

Mechanical and functional evaluations of flaming-retardant/far-infrared composite nonwoven fabrics

This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties, far-infrared (FIR) emissivity, and limiting oxygen index (LOI) of FIR ray/low-melting-point (LM) nonwoven fabrics, flame retardant (FR)/LM nonwoven fabrics, and FIR/FR/LM composite nonwoven fabrics, which are with or without heat treatment and also investigating the effect of heat treatment on the LM polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. Test results show that for FIR/LM nonwoven fabrics, applying heat treatment leads to the better mechanical properties and FIR emissivity of 0.90. For FR/LM nonwoven fabrics, unheat-treatment samples have greater mechanical properties and an LOI of 34. For FIR/FR/LM composite nonwoven fabrics, the unheat-treated samples exhibit greater tensile properties, but the heat-treated samples exhibit greater puncture resistance, burst strength, and FIR emissivity. The structural parameters of the composite nonwoven fabrics can be adjusted according to the demand of users in terms of FIR emissivity and flame retardancy, and the composite nonwoven fabrics are thus expected to be used as construction materials for medical systems.

Investigation of mechanical and abrasive wear behavior of blast furnace slag‐filled needle‐punched nonwoven viscose fabric epoxy hybrid composites

In this work, a new class of hybrid composites consisting of needle‐punched nonwoven viscose fabric reinforced epoxy filled with different weight proportions (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%) of blast furnace slag (BFS) are prepared. The mechanical study of these composites indicated that hardness, impact strength are increased with increase in filler wt% whereas the properties like tensile, flexural and inter‐laminar shear strength are reduced beyond 10 wt% of filler loading. Abrasive wear behavior of these composites is investigated by slurry abrasion test rig (ASTM G105). The optimum parametric combination is determined for minimum wear rate and further validated through confirmation experiment as per Taguchi experimental design. Slurry abrasion test results revealed that wear resistance of viscose fabric/epoxy composites has been improved with the inclusion of BFS particulate fillers. The morphological study of abraded surfaces examined by scanning electron microscopy and the possible wear mechanisms responsible for wear are discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2335–2345, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Influence of geotextile type on strength and failure behavior of geotextiles reinforced desert sand based on Mohr-Coulomb criterion

In recent years, abundant mineral and energy resources in desert area have attracted huge attention of researchers due to energy depletion at a global scale. Construction of transportation and road engineering infrastructures in desert area is in huge demand. In this paper, reinforcement effect of various geotextiles on desert sand was investigated by analyzing stress-strain behavior and shear-resistance of three geotextiles-reinforced desert sand (nonwoven fabric, biaxial geogrid, and geogrid-nonwoven composites). Reinforcement effect of geotextiles on sand was analyzed based on Mohr-Coulomb criterion. Results showed that geotextiles significantly reinforced the desert sand in compression strength, ductility, and bearing capcity. Sand reinforced with geogrid-nonwoven composites showed the highest compressive strength and ductility, as well as the best bearing capacity. Biaxial geogrid and geogrid-nonwoven could enhance interfacial interaction between sand and geotextile due to the existence of transverse beam functioned as barrier effect. Based on our analysis, it was found that sand reinforced with geogrid-nonwoven composites had broad application prospective in desert highway engineering field.

Investigation on fiber laser cutting of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber tow

Carbon fibers (CFs) are often chopped through conventional metal cutting tools. The wear of cutting tool is unavoidable, resulting in low productivity and unsteady product quality. In this work, cutting CFs by fiber laser was studied. The laser absorptivities of three types of CFs and sizing amounts were measured to evaluate their photothermal conversion properties. The cutting-off mechanism of CF was clarified by its kerf cross-sectional morphology and multiphysics simulations. The morphology, chemical composition and mechanical properties around the CF kerf were analyzed to investigate the characteristics of laser cutting method. In addition, the effect of laser parameters and sizing amounts on CF tow cutting were investigated. Results show that laser-cutting CF in the heat affected zone has poor mechanical properties compared to mechanical cutting CF, but composite nonwoven fabrics made by either of them have substantially equal tensile strength. The critical cutting-off speed of the three CFs has a linear relationship with the laser power. Compared to mechanical cutting, laser cutting of CF tows can reduce about 50% energy consumption. And the laser cutting speed can be adjusted within a large range, whereas the mechanical cutting speed is only determined within a relatively narrow range. This low-energy consumption and speed-adjustable cutting method shows great potential to produce chopped CF-based high-quality composites.

ПОРІВНЯЛЬНИЙ АНАЛІЗ РОЗМІРНИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК НЕДЕРЕВНИХ ВОЛОКОН РІЗНОЇ ПРИРОДИ

Comparison of dimensional characteristics of various non-wood fibers (flax, hemp, bamboo, cotton), which can be used as an additional component in the production of non-woven composite materials from synthetic fibrous waste. The structure of the fibers was studied by optical polarization microscopy. The dimensional characteristics of the fibers were determined by the method of analyzing digital images, followed by statistical processing and graphical analysis of the obtained data. A quantitative comparative analysis of the transverse dimensions and distribution for this indicator for non-wood fibers of various natural origin: flax, hemp, bamboo, cotton. It has been established that the average transverse dimensions of the initial fibers of flax and hemp are higher than for bamboo and cotton fibers with greater variability of this index and a pronounced asymmetry of the distribution towards valuesgreater than the average. Based on a detailed statistical analysis of microscopic images, differences in the transverse dimensions of non-wood fibers of different natural origin are established. The results obtained can be used to produce nonwoven composite materials with predictable properties.

소방추출액으로 염색한 키토산ᆞ나노실버 복합섬유 혼방 부직포의 염색성과 항균성

This study examines the dyeing properties, light fastness, washing fastness, and antibacterial ability of four kinds of non-woven fabrics dyed with an extracted solution from Caesalpinia sappan. L. These fabrics include: 100% cotton non-woven fabric, 95% cotton/5% chitosan-nano silver composite non-woven fabric, 90% cotton/10% chitosan-nano silver composite non-woven fabric, and 70% cotton/10% chitosan-nano silver composite non-woven fabric. Caesalpinia sappan. L. dyeing was conducted through a process of pre- and post-mordanting with alum, iron, which induced different colors on the dyed fabrics. The results show that, first, the K/S value of chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics was higher than that of the 100% cotton non-woven fabrics in the dyed condition with an extracted solution from Caesalpinia sappan. L., and second, mordants treatment influenced dyeability. K/S values of dyeing fabrics was recognized by the mordants treatment, especially iron. K/S values of pre-mordanting were higher than post-mordanting. Mordants and the mordants treatment method affected the dye uptake. In the case of Caesalpinia sappan. L., the light fastness was increased by the mordants treatment. The light fastness of the chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics was better than that of the 100% cotton non-woven fabrics. The washing fastness was not affected by mordants treatment and the chitosan-nano silver content increased from 5% to 30%. Regarding the results of antibacterial ability, the bacterial reduction rate of chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics and chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics dyed with Caesalpinia sappan. L. was more than 99.9% resistant to Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Flax and hemp nonwoven composites: The contribution of interfacial bonding to improving tensile properties

The purpose of this article is to understand the influence of typical composite parameters (interfacial bond strength, surface-area and fibre mechanical properties) on the tensile properties of nonwoven composite materials. The materials investigated were flax, hemp and Poly-(propylene) (PP) and Maleic Anhydride-grafted PP (MAPP), which provide different configurations in terms of fibre mechanical properties, bundle individualization and fibre/matrix interface. Whereas hemp fibres exhibit poorer tensile properties and lower bundle individualization than flax fibres, their higher lignin content evaluated by FT-IR analysis improves the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) with PP and MAPP. However, the tight interface developed with hemp fibres has only a weak effect at the scale of composites. With low-IFSS systems such as plant fibres associated with polyolefin matrices, mechanical properties at the macroscale are governed by the fibre mechanical properties and bonding area rather than by the interfacial bond strength.

키토산ᆞ나노실버 복합섬유 혼방 부직포의 소방 천연염색 (1) :색채발현을 중심으로

This study examines the dye uptake ability and mordanting effects of chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics dyed with an extracted solution from Caesalpinia sappan. L. The effects of mordants (alum, iron) on the color of dyed chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics were measured by L<SUP>*</SUP>, a<SUP>*</SUP>, b<SUP>*</SUP>, ΔE and H V/C values. In the undyed group, as the chitosan and nano silver percentage grew, the a<SUP>*</SUP> values and b* values increased and the L<SUP>*</SUP> values decreased. In the dyed group, ΔE values of chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics were higher than ΔE values of 100% cotton non-woven fabrics. As the chitosan and nano silver content increased (from 5% → to 10%, → to 30%), they became darker, more red and more blue. Mordants treatment influenced the color difference and color change of the dyed fabrics. Among the mordants, the effect of alum on color change of the dyed non-woven fabrics was the smallest, and the color difference achieved with alum was less than that with iron. The dyed non-woven fabrics were colored red and violet by mordant treatment, with alum and iron. Caesalpinia sappan. L. confirmed that these could be polygenetic colors. The dye uptake ability of 100% cotton non-woven fabrics and chitosan and nano silver composite non-woven fabrics was increased by mordant treatments.

High energy ballistic and fracture comparison between multilayered armor systems using non-woven curaua fabric composites and aramid laminates

For personal protection against high kinetic energy projectiles, multilayered armor systems (MAS) are usually the best option. They combine synergistically the properties of different materials such as ceramics, composites and metals. In the present work, ballistic tests were performed to evaluate multilayered armor systems (MAS) using curaua non-woven fabric epoxy composites as second layer. A comparison to a MAS using aramid (Kevlar™) fabric laminates was made. The results showed that the curaua non-woven fabric composites are suitable to the high ballistic applications, and are promising substitutes for aramid fabric laminates.