Fabrication Properties Research Articles

Fabrication, characterization and transdermal properties of double cross-linked gel beads with 4-n-butylresorcinol

In this paper, sodium alginate (SA) -agarose double cross-linked gel beads were prepared to improve the solubility of 4-n-butylresorcinol and to reduce skin irritation. The wrappage material suitable for 4-nBR gel beads was SA-agarose double cross-linking material, and the internal inclusions were in the form of 4-n-butylresorcinol nanoemulsions (4-nBR NEs). Under the orthogonal fluorescence microscope, it was observed that the gel beads were spherical in shape, with smooth and rounded surfaces and permeable interiors. The encapsulation rate of the gel beads was 84.37±3.56%, and the average diameter was 1.93±0.21 mm. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the gel beads were spherical in shape. The cumulative leakage rate of the gel beads on the 35 th day was 4.72±0.06%, suggesting that the gel beads encapsulated 4-butylresorcinol to good effect and with high stability. This proves that the gel beads wrapped with 4-nBR are highly effective and stable. In vitro skin permeability assessment verified the good skin permeability of nanoemulsions (NEs).

Valorisation of sodium lignosulfonate from wood pulping industries for the enhancement of moisture management properties of nylon fabric

Nylon fabric has poor moisture management properties due to the absence of hydroxyl groups. In this work, an attempt has been made to enhance the moisture management properties of nylon fabric using sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). SLS is an essential by-product of the wood pulping industry. Various concentrations of the SLS were prepared in an aqueous medium, and the nylon fabric was treated with them using the exhaust method. The effects of the parameters of the treatment process are analyzed using Box–Behnken response surface design of experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Upon testing the water vapour transmittance rate (WVTR), it was found that the SLS treatment is efficacious in improving moisture management. Water contact angle is reduced to 10.6° from 105.3° after the coating, which proves the achievement of hydrophilic surface. The average wetting time of nylon fabrics decreased by 78% after the SLS treatment. A significant increase in the bending modulus, flexural rigidity, and coefficient of the SLS-treated fabrics is observed when SLS concentration is high. After the SLS treatment, wetting time decreases, absorption rate increases, spreading speed increases, and overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) increases significantly. The SLS coating over the nylon surface is found to be durable with excellent rating for light and washing fastness.

Artificial neural network models for predicting breaking strength and abrasion resistance properties of woven fabrics with different chenille yarns

This study was carried out with aim of predicting some performance properties of fabrics with changing chenille yarn parameters. In this study, different chenille yarns were produced with parameters of pile length, yarn count and yarn type. Three different yarn types were used: polyester, acrylic and viscose. Four different yarn counts were used for each yarn type and four different pile lengths were used for each yarn count. Thus, 48 woven fabrics were obtained from 48 different yarns. The estimated properties included breaking strength in weft-warp direction and abrasion resistance, and these properties formed output data. As input data, yarn properties such as pile length, yarn count and yarn type; fabric properties such as fabric density, fabric thickness and fabric weight were used. Neural network toolbox in MATLAB was used to develop Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models. Different network structures were used to estimate three performance features, thus aiming to obtain more accurate results. Additionally, predictions were made with linear and nonlinear multiple regression models, and compared with ANN models. The R2 values ​​obtained from ANN models for breaking strength in the warp-weft direction and abrasion resistance were found to be 0.95, 0.74, 0.87, respectively, while they were found to be 0.32, 0.40, 0.41 for linear multiple regression models and 0.65, 0.27, 0.60 for nonlinear multiple regression models. The obtained ANN models were successful by a clear margin compared to statistical models.

Improvement of fire safety for viscose fabrics based on phytic acid modified tea polyphenols complexed iron ions

In this work, a multifunctional finishing agent named as PATFe was prepared from phytic acid (PA), tea polyphenols (TP), and Fe3+. The optimum weight ratio of PA to TP was determined by exploring the effect on flame retardant and tensile properties of viscose fabrics. Then, the effects of different concentrations of iron ions on the flame retardant and tensile properties of viscose fabrics were further investigated, and finally, multifunctional viscose fabrics, PATFe-9, were prepared. The system was investigated to confer the multifunctional effects on the flame retardant, bacteriostatic, and UV-resistant properties of viscose fabrics under the condition of lower weight gains (about 6.0 wt%). The limiting oxygen index of PATFe-9 reached 33.7 % with a weight gain of 6.1 wt%, and PATFe-9 had an inhibition effect against Staphylococcus aureus, and the ultraviolet protection factor value reached 67. It is worth noting that the breaking force retention rate of this system reached 100 %, which greatly improves the scope of use and added value of viscose fabrics.

Effects of finishing processes on physical properties of knitted fabrics produced by recycled cotton fibers

This study examines conventional wet-finishing processes applicable to fabrics containing recycled cotton fibers. The knitted fabrics were produced using open-end and compact yarns, with up to 80% of the cotton fibers being obtained from mechanical recycling of pre-consumer textile wastes. The study evaluated the effects of these finishing processes on the physical properties of the fabrics based on the recycled fiber ratio, yarn type, and yarn count. After determining the parameters for enzymatic bio-polishing, scouring, and color removal processes, two sequential finishing routes were designed: using the fabrics as mélange without a dyeing process (F1) or coloring them with color stripping and subsequent dyeing (F2). The resulting fabrics were tested for bursting strength, pilling resistance, weight, thickness, air permeability, and abrasion resistance, and the results were evaluated statistically. The study demonstrated that compact yarns provide superior strength, particularly when the F2 process was employed. The F2 process resulted in high pilling resistance and increased breathability of recycled knitted fabrics. The study concluded that the quality of fabrics containing recycled cotton fibers could be optimized by the selection of the appropriate finishing processes.

Durability Properties of Steel Textiles and Bonding Properties at the Interface of Steel Textiles with Reinforced Mortar-Reinforced Concrete Systems.

Aging and deterioration of building structures have been persistent concerns in the field of engineering. To address these challenges while supporting modern green and sustainable development goals, this study introduces an innovative reinforcement system that employs steel textiles as the primary reinforcing material. The steel textiles were engineered by optimizing the compatibility between steel fibers and a hot melt adhesive (HMA). These textiles were then used to reinforce concrete structures, creating a steel textile-reinforced mortar (STRM)-reinforced concrete system. The study also examined the durability of the steel textiles and the interfacial bonding performance within the STRM-reinforced concrete system. The results showed that the compatibility between steel fibers and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (HMA-2) is better, and the steel textiles prepared with it have superior hydrothermal and corrosion resistance. After the system had been maintained for 28 days, the overall flexural strength of the STRM-reinforced concrete system was increased by 100.03%, the interfacial shear load by 49.54%, the interfacial shear stiffness by 61.2%, and the positive tensile bond performance by 26.1%. This proves that STRM has a good reinforcement effect on the concrete reinforcement system.

Fabrication and Tribological Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites Reinforced by MoS2 Nanosheets and Aligned MWCNTs.

The epoxy nanocomposites reinforced by MoS2 nanosheets and aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by DC electric field inducement. The epoxy nanocomposites achieved improvement in the tribological properties with the addition of randomly dispersed MoS2 and MWCNTs compared to the pure epoxy. Furthermore, the epoxy nanocomposites exhibit anisotropic tribological and mechanical properties when the MWCNTs are aligned in the composites. The tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites containing 1 wt% MoS2 and aligned 1.2 wt% MWCNTs achieved the maximum improvement when the sliding direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of MWCNTs. Compared to random MoS2 nanosheets and random MWCNTs reinforced epoxy nanocomposites, the friction coefficient and wear rate of random MoS2 and aligned MWCNTs reinforced epoxy nanocomposites decreased by 11.3 and 66.7% under a load of 5 N, respectively. The increased thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, higher surface content of nanoparticles, as well as unique alignment mode of MWCNTs are considered to be the main reasons for the improvement of tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites.

Uncovering the attributes of micro-size basalt powder doped epoxy composites: fabrication, characterization, and gamma attenuation properties

Uncovering the attributes of micro-size basalt powder doped epoxy composites: fabrication, characterization, and gamma attenuation properties

Effect of Hybrid Nanofillers on the Mechanical Characteristics of Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Composite

The research study focused on enhancing the mechanical characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture bases. PMMA is commonly used in dentistry due to its easy fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and favourable physical properties. However, its limitations include low wear resistance, hardness, and mechanical strength, making it less suitable for long-term dental applications. To address these limitations, the study employed a combination of hybrid nano-fillers, specifically HNTs (halloysite nanotubes) and MWCNTs (multi-walled carbon nanotubes), at varying loading levels to improve the mechanical characteristics of the PMMA composite. These nano-fillers underwent treatment by using a coupling agent to enhance their compatibility with PMMA. Key findings of the research include that introducing HNTs/MWCNTs into the PMMA matrix led to a substantial increase in flexural strength, with a significant improvement of 109.1 MPa compared to unfilled PMMA. This indicates that the composite material became more resistant to bending or deformation. There was a substantial rise in flexural modulus values, suggesting improved stiffness in the nanocomposite compared to unfilled PMMA. In addition, the tensile strength of the PMMA composite increased by 64.4 MPa with the addition of the hybrid nano-fillers, indicating enhanced resistance to stretching or pulling forces. The study found that the improvement in flexural and tensile strength was dependent on the concentration of MWCNTs. Increasing the MWCNT concentration up to 0.75 wt.% led to improved mechanical properties, but further increases resulted in a reduction in PMMA properties. Although there was a modest improvement in Vickers hardness (approximately 18.93 kg/mm<sup>2</sup>), the addition of HNTs/MWCNTs as hybrid nano-fillers effectively enhanced the properties of the PMMA nanocomposite. The study concludes that incorporating hybrid nano-fillers into PMMA could contribute to the longevity and durability of dental composites, addressing some of the material's inherent limitations. The specific combination and concentration of nano-fillers played a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposite.

Oscillation spectra of surface resistance of low-dimensional organic conductors in a tilted magnetic field

The resonance spectrum of the surface resistance derivative in organic conductors has been calculated numerically for the out-of-plane and in-plane magnetic field orientation. Not all but some of the resonances in a given series of transitions are present in the spectra. They are observed as maxima in the surface resistance derivative curve. For tilted magnetic fields, apart from the resonances for transitions between the adjacent surface states, there also appear resonances corresponding to the transitions between more distant surface states. The calculations allow for the obtain of additional information on the surface properties for fabrication of devices based on organic molecular conductors.

A computer-vision based framework for virtual 3D garment reconstruction

AbstractExisting 3D garment reconstruction methods are difficult to implement for online fashion design and e-commerce or special applications. This paper proposes a novel computer-vision framework for 3D garment digital reconstruction, which aims to reconstruct high-quality and realistic virtual 3D garments with fabric mechanic properties for 3D virtual try-on. The new segmentation scheme is proposed to separate the 3D garment point clouds from background points, which is suitable for 3D human shapes and is adaptive for different 3D garment models in different scenes. The new Statistical Outlier Removal algorithm and the learning-based method PointCleanNet are combined to remove noise and outliers in 3D garment point clouds, which provides high-fidelity and high-quality 3D garment point clouds. The 3D garment meshes are then reconstructed from their corresponding point clouds with a modified rolling ball algorithm. Finally, the meshes are improved and converted into physics-based virtual try-on 3D garments with fabric mechanic properties added, which enables the assessment of different body shapes with varied sizes for the same reconstructed 3D garment. Comparison experiments demonstrate that our framework achieves high-quality and realistic 3D garment reconstruction and accurate 3D virtual try-on from 2D garment images. We also demonstrate the proposed framework on a large range of various garments to show this approach has a great potential for garment future technology, such as online garment shopping, garment design and manufacturing.

Preparation of biobased guar gum polyelectrolyte complex coatings by sol‐gel method for improving the flame retardancy of ramie fabrics

AbstractIn this study, to improve the flame‐retardant properties of ramie fabrics (RFs), a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) was prepared in a one‐step process using biobased guar gum (GG), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and deposited on the surface of the RF to construct an intumescent flame‐retardant coating. Fabrics treated with PEC coatings exhibited excellent flame‐retardant properties. Specifically, the cone calorimeter test results revealed that an increase in sample weight of only 13.23 wt% resulted in significant reductions in the peak heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release (THR), and fire growth rate (FGR) of 91.37%, 65.12%, and 95.28%, respectively. Additionally, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 19.4% to 33.5%, and the fabrics self‐extinguished immediately after the ignition source was removed during the UL‐94 test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the char residue revealed expansion bubbles on the surface, suggesting that the PEC coating provides flame retardancy through a synergistic effect involving both the gas phase and the condensed phase. This study provides a simple and convenient solution for realizing green and efficient flame‐retardant coatings on RF.

DNA-Based Complexes and Composites: A Review of Fabrication Methods, Properties, and Applications.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a macromolecule that stores genetic information in organisms, has recently been gradually developed into a building block for new materials due to its stable chemical structure and excellent biocompatibility. The efficient preparation and functional integration of various molecular complexes and composite materials based on nucleic acid skeletons have been successfully achieved. These versatile materials possess excellent physical and chemical properties inherent to certain inorganic or organic molecules but are endowed with specific physiological functions by nucleic acids, demonstrating unique advantages and potential applications in materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering in recent years. However, issues such as the production cost, biological stability, and potential immunogenicity of DNA have presented some unprecedented challenges to the application of these materials in the field. This review summarizes the cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and unique properties of DNA-based complexes and composites and discusses the trends, challenges, and opportunities for the future development of nucleic acid-based materials.

Sustainable lignosulfonate-modified PA6.6 fabrics to improve durable flame retardancy, hydrophilicity and mechanical performance

Creating durable flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical performance, and hydrophilic polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) textiles via cost-effectiveness from sustainable renewable sources is a considerable challenge. This study introduces a pretreatment process involving the application of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) to the surface of PA6.6 fabrics, thereby enhancing their hydrophilic and flame-retardant properties. Subsequently, a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating treatment is employed, utilizing renewable polyelectrolytes—chitosan (CS), LS, and poly (sodium phosphate) (PSP)—to create 8-bilayer (BL) and 4-quarda layer (QL) structures that further improve the hydrophilicity and durable flame resistance of PA6.6 fabrics. The combined LS-modified and LbL coatings notably increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values from 19.5 % to 22.5 %, eliminated melt dripping, and secured a V-1 rating in the vertical burning (UL-94) tests. Moreover, the treated fabrics exhibited a 43 % reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a lower fire growth rate (FGR) of 0.84 W/g·s, with a significant increase in char yield% in both air and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. A cross-linked network structure is responsible for the superior hydrophilicity, enhanced tensile strength, and fabric softening properties. The self-crosslinking of sulfur-containing radicals with amide units ensures an anti-dripping performance that can withstand up to 30 home laundering cycles, demonstrating remarkable washing durability. However, a convincing approach has been developed for sustainable and high-performance materials for the textile industry, and a simple LbL technique using renewable polyelectrolytes that have traditionally been utilized in water treatment and food processing has been developed.

1-Tetradecanol phase change material microcapsules coating on cotton fabric for enhanced thermoregulation

Rising climate change and extreme weather conditions underpin thermoregulation limitations of conventional textiles. This study investigates enhancing the thermal properties of cotton fabric by incorporating synthesized 1-tetradecanol (TD) phase change material (PCM) microcapsules. Characterization of the TD microcapsules was performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The microcapsules (average size of 0.49 μm) displayed a melting enthalpy (∆Hm) of 105 J·g−1 and a crystallization enthalpy (∆Hc) of 51 J·g−1. The microcapsules were mixed with the acrylic binder in three different ratios (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75). Hydrothermal, knife-over-roll, and pad-dry-cure methods were employed for coating microcapsules to cotton fabric. Microcapsule coating on cotton fabric using hydrothermal coating with a 75:25 microcapsule binder ratio achieved the highest add-on (55 %) and good durability after 25 home washes. The thermal insulation R-value of the coated fabric was enhanced (0.0029 m2 K·W−1) at 40 °C. The real-time test showed a temperature difference of 2.8 °C and thermal imaging displayed lower emissivity for TD-coated fabric. The TD microcapsule coating offers a promising method for developing climate-responsive textiles, enhancing thermal comfort, and reducing energy consumption in heating and cooling systems.

Three-dimensional moisture transport fabric for enhanced moisture management in protective clothing

Effective moisture management within the microenvironment of protective clothing is crucial for maintaining garment performance and wearer comfort. The inherent properties of fabrics and the structural of protective garments often hinder the discharge of sweat to the external environment. Here, we present a novel 3D moisture transport fabric, engineered with gradient wetting properties along both the thickness and length dimensions. This fabric can transport moisture from the inner to the outer surface within approximately 5 s, achieving a maximum accumulative one-way transport capability of 1189.1 in the thickness direction. Additionally, by further directing moisture along the constructed wetting gradient on the fabric's outer surface, the moisture diffusion distance in the gradient direction was up to 2.6 times greater than in other directions. This approach will enhance moisture transport and management within protective clothing and can be further extended to the development of materials for oil-water separation, wound dressings, flexible microfluidics, and fuel cell membranes.

Effect of modification of nonwoven textiles with biochar and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on their dielectric properties

Dielectric properties of native nonwoven textile as well as textile with bound biochar and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the frequency range of 10 to 5·105 Hz and at the temperatures of 30 to 60 °C have been investigated. The capacity of native nonwoven textile has been shown to decrease with the temperature according to the Arrhenius law. The activation energy of the temperature dependence of the capacity has been estimated to be 0.09 eV. It has been demonstrated that regardless of the temperature, the frequency dependence of the resistance of the nonwoven textile can be described by two exponential functions. In the presence of bound biochar and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the nonwoven textile, the conductivity current was 4 orders of magnitude greater than the bias current and increased with the temperature according to the Arrhenius law. The activation energy of the temperature dependence of the inverse resistance (an analogue of the conductivity for homogeneous samples with the same dimensions) has been estimated to be 0.19 eV for the samples with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and 0.62 eV for the samples with bound biochar.

Ultraviolet Protection and Antibacterial Properties of Polylactic Acid Nonwoven Fabrics Coated with Water-Borne Polyurethane/Zinc Oxide Composite Coatings

This study aimed to create thermally curable, water-borne polyurethane/zinc oxide (WPU/ZnO) composite coating pastes with varying ZnO concentrations. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a wet chemical process, and the resulting WPU/ZnO coating pastes were applied to PLA nonwoven fabrics (NWFs). In characterization studies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted. Ultraviolet (UV) protection and antibacterial activity of fabrics were investigated. With WPU/ZnO composite coatings, the UV protection properties of the coated fabrics were enhanced compared to the uncoated fabric. The highest UPF value of 53.57 was obtained with the fabric coated with the formulation containing a ZnO concentration of 10%. This fabric also demonstrated more effective antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. Inhibition zone diameters against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria were measured as 15.5 ± 0.70 mm and 18.25 ± 0.35 mm, respectively. The results of this study illustrate that functional composite coatings for bio-based NWF structures hold great promise for producing effective UV protective and antibacterial materials, potentially setting the stage for future applications.

Pretreatment and dyeability analysis of cotton and novel Bauhinia vahlii fiber

The textile industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards sustainable materials, prompting the exploration of novel natural fibers as alternatives to synthetic fibers to meet environmental standards and address the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Different natural fibers possess varied properties and are suitable for numerous applications in conventional and technical textiles. The coloration of these textile materials is an important aspect of conventional textiles, which starts with the pretreatment of the material. This study introduces a novel blend of cotton and Bauhinia vahlii fiber, a lesser-known natural cellulosic fiber with promising textile properties, and evaluates its pretreatment outcomes and dyeability characteristics. The study employs a systematic approach to pretreat the cotton and Bauhinia vahlii fiber blend (cotton: Bauhinia vahlii fiber 70:30) in a single bath using a conventional combined scouring bleaching process. The pretreatment process is carried out two times with varied sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations for different processing times at 90 °C to assess the component fibers’ whiteness index, union bleaching balance, and weight loss percentage under diverse pretreatment conditions. Each time, 50% of the chemicals were used and continued for half of the processing time. The dyeability of the treated fibers is analyzed by dyeing the same in a single bath using amron bright red HF2R bifunctional reactive dye in varied shade depths (1%, 3%, and 5%) and fiber blend ratios (cotton: Bauhinia vahlii fiber 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 0:100) to assess the color strength, union dyeing balance, and fastness properties. The maximum whiteness was achieved with 6 g per liter (gpl) of NaOH and H2O2 and at a processing time of 150 min with a whiteness index of 80.46 and 54.34 of cotton and Bauhinia vahlii fiber, respectively, with a union bleaching balance of 1.48. The dyed fibers’ colorimetric results confirm that Bauhinia vahlii fiber gives higher color strength than cotton fiber, irrespective of shade depth and blend ratio. The union dyeing balance of 1.2 was achieved at 5% shade depth with a 70:30 cotton Bauhinia vahlii fiber blend. This research contributes to the conventional textile field by introducing a sustainable fiber blend that reduces reliance on synthetic fiber and opens new avenues for utilizing Bauhinia vahlii fiber in conventional textile manufacturing.

Safety research of textile materials with flame retardant properties

This article discusses the findings of a study that explored the use of new compositions containing tetraethoxysilane, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and hexamethylenediamine to improve the flame retardancy of cellulose fiber materials. The impact of different components and temperatures on the fire-resistant properties of the fabric was examined. In an untreated sample measuring 17*22 cm, ignition occurred in 15 seconds and the fabric burned completely within 60 seconds, whereas a treated sample showed signs of retardation. Increasing the concentration of flame retardant impregnation at a temperature of 150 degrees had minimal effects on the material's strength, air permeability, and appearance. With the help of electron scanning device it was found that on the surface of the fibers of the treated sample morphological changes were observed in the form of film, which in turn contain particles of Si (25.48%), P (17.61%), Na (1.70%). The optimum conditions of fabric processing are determined, the influence of concentration of working solution, impregnation and thermofixation temperature on flame retardant properties of fabrics investigated, also processing can be carried out on standard equipment of finishing enterprises and laboratories. Cotton materials treated with a compound based on tetraethoxysilane, sodium dihydrophosphate and hexamethylenediamine provides adequate fire resistance.