Sheep Wool Fibers Research Articles

NMR Study on New Natural Building Materials

Abstract This paper aims to promote traditional, organic materials with similar characteristics to classical building materials used in construction and is focused on the development of new natural products based on renewable resources that connect the environment to buildings. The analysis of these natural materials seeks to reduce energy consumption and the use of waste in the construction sector, which is currently the largest consumer but also the largest producer of waste. In order to obtain new low CO2 impact building materials, we seek to use raw materials (sheep wool and hemp fibers), which are found in large quantities at national level. Material analysis was performed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry, a method applicable to the study of solids and liquids. Thermal conductivity is lower for recipes that have sheep wool because wool yarns are empty inside and maintain a closed air cavity. Also the quantity of PVA glue can influence the dynamics of keratin and cellulose and the number and dimension of pores.

Experimental investigations on natural fiber embedded additive manufacturing-based biodegradable structures for biomedical applications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the mechanical as well as bacterial characteristics of chemically treated waste natural fiber inserted three-dimensional structures (NFi3DS) produced with fused filament deposition (FFD) for biomedical applications.Design/methodology/approachIn this work, a novel approach has been used for developing the customized porous structures particularly for scaffold applications. Initially, raw animal fibers were collected, and thereafter, the chemical treatment has been performed for making their wise utility in biomedical structures. For this purpose, silk fiber and sheep wool fibers were used as laminations, whereas polylactic acid was used as matrix material. A low-cost desktop time additive manufacturing setup was used for making the customized and porous parts by considering type of fiber, number of laminates, infill density and raster angle as input parameters.FindingsThe results obtained after using design of experimental technique highlighted that output characteristics (such as dimensional accuracy, hardness, three-point bending strength and bacterial test) are influenced by input parameters, as reported in the obtained signal/noise plots and analysis of variance. Optimum level of input parameters has also been found through Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, for single parametric optimization, and teaching learning-based algorithm and particle swarm optimization, for multiple parametric optimization. Overall, the results of the studies supported the use of embedded structures for scaffold-based biomedical applications.Research limitations/implicationsPresently, NFi3DS were produced by using the hand-lay-based manual approach that affected the uniform insert’s distribution and thickness. It is advised to use the automatic fiber placement system, synced with a three-dimensional printer, to achieve greater geometrical precision.Practical implicationsAs both natural fibers and polymer matrix used in this work are well established for their biological properties, hence the methodology explored in this work will help the practitioners/academicians in developing highly compatible scaffold structures.Social implicationsThe present work defines a new practice where the researchers can use natural fibers to reduce the cost associated with fabrication of customized scaffold prints.Originality/valueThe development of natural fiber embedded FFD-based structures is not yet explored for their feasibility in biomedical applications.

Properties of Jute and Sheep Wool Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites

Use of plant and animal-based biodegradable resources as reinforcement in polymeric composites has incontestable advantages compared to synthetic fiber composites-including low density, low cost, continuous supply, easy and safe handling and supports their potential across a wide range of applications. Hybrid fiber reinforced composites are generally prepared to enhance different properties as compared to single-fiber reinforced composites. In present research, sheep wool fiber and jute fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites were prepared. Their mechanical properties were examined first by varying the fiber and polypropylene ratio and then by varying wool and jute fiber ratio keeping the polypropylene quantity unchanged. Here, 5%, 10% and 15% of the fibers in a ratio of 1:1 were copulated with polypropylene in a hot press machine. For mechanical characterization, tensile, flexural, impact and hardness tests were conducted. From these tests, it was observed that the composite with 15% fiber content had the best properties. For further enhancement, two separate samples with 1:3 and 3:1 fiber ratios and 85% polypropylene were prepared. Running the aforementioned tests, it was revealed that the sample with wool and jute fiber at 1:3 ratio had the best set of properties.

An effect of suint on sheep wool impedance and heat resistance values

ABSTRACTThe phenomenon of impedance finds an application in many areas of science; however, no studies relate to wool. Thus, the aim of the study was an examination of an effect of from the presence of suint layer on sheep wool fibers on impedance and heat resistance values. Electrical characteristics (impedance [Ω]) and heat resistance were compared in terms of wool washing effect. The impedance of wool samples was tested in the frequency range of 10 Hz to 1 MHz. In order to measure electrical characteristics and heat resistance values, five samples of greasy wool were collected from different sheep breeds, standardized by weight. After the analyses, the samples were washed and reexamined. The results showed significant differences in the impedance between the greasy and washed wool samples in each of the tested breed (p > 0.05). The suint layer reduces the impedance level, which was also confirmed by a heat resistance test results demonstrating that absence of suint layer on wool fibers significantly reduced this feature value (p > 0.05). This was also reflected in the weight differences between the examined wool samples before and after their washing.

Comparative life cycle assessment of four insulating boards made with natural and recycled materials

Purpose. This paper quantifies and compares the environmental impacts calculated with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for four different insulating boards made with natural or recovered fibers: recycled PET, recycled textile, hemp and sheep wool fibers. Methods. The environmental impacts of the different boards are compared using as functional unit 1 R of thermic resistance and the system boundaries are taken from cradle to grave. Moreover, the length of the use phase necessary to balance the CO2 emissions linked to the life cycle of each insulating board has been assessed. Results and discussion. The results of the comparative LCA and a contribution analysis are reported in order to highlight the main sources of environmental impact. The insulating boards made with sheep wool and recycled textile show the lowest environmental impact for almost all the impact categories considered in the analysis and require the shortest use time in order to balance the CO2 emissions of the life cycle (5 months). If the CO2 uptake from the atmosphere is included in the calculation, the insulating board made with hemp outperform the other boards in impact category climate change and in the offsetting period (less than 1 month). Conclusions. The paper concludes that the use of insulating boards, in particular made with recycled or natural materials, can represent an important step towards the increase of the sustainability of the building sector. In addition, LCA results should increasingly be included in rating systems and schemes in the building sector in order to effectively lead this sector toward sustainability.

Study of colouring effect of herbal hair formulations on graying hair.

Objective:To screen the hair colouring properties of hair colorants/ herbal hair colouring formulations.Materials and Methods:The dried aqueous herbal extracts of Gudhal leaves (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Jatamansi rhizome (Nardostachys jatamansi), Kuth roots (Saussurea lappa), Kattha (Acacia catechu), Amla dried fruit (Embelica officinalis), were prepared. Coffee powder (Coffea arabica) and Henna powder (Lowsonia inermis) were taken in the form of powder (# 40). Fourteen herbal hair colorants were prepared from these dried aqueous herbal extracts and powders. Activities of hair colorants were observed on sheep wool fibers. On the basis of the above observation six hair colorants were selected. These six formulations were taken for trials on human beings.Observation:The formulation coded HD-3 gave maximum colouring effect on sheep wool fibers as well as on human beings and percentage of acceptance among the volunteers were in the following order: HD- 3 > HD- 4 > HD-1 > HD-13 > HD-14 > HD-11.Results and Discussion:The remarkable results were obtained from five herbal hair colorants, viz., HD-1, HD- 3, HD- 4, HD-13 and HD-14 on sheep wool fibers and human beings. Formulation HD-3, having gudhal, jatamansi, kuth, kattha, amla, coffee and henna, was the maximum accepted formulation and suggested that these herbs in combination acts synergistically in hair colouring action. It also concluded that jatamansi, present in different hair colorants, was responsible to provide maximum blackening on hair

Surface flash mechanisms

The mechanism of surface flash, fast flame spread over the surface of a napped fabric, was investigated experimentally and theoretically. First, downward surface flash over napped cotton fabrics were experimentally examined; the critical nap density (above which surface flash did not occur) and the dependence of surface flash velocity on the nap density were measured. Then, an analytical model was proposed based on the flame structure revealed by high-speed schlieren images. An activation-energy asymptotics (AEA) technique was applied to obtain an approximate solution of the model, which successfully explained experimental observations. Finally, the surface flash over sheep wool and polyester fabrics was tested. Although surface flash occurred over sheep wool fabrics, the flame-propagation velocity was much slower than that over cotton fabrics; this result was attributed to the more charring nature of sheep wool fibers than cotton fibers. Surface flash over polyester fabrics did not occur under the conditions tested. Because of the thermoplasticity coupled with the tendency to melt, polyester fibers shrank away from a flame and melted drip. Thus, polyester fabrics could not maintain their fibrous structures, reducing the probability of surface flash occurrence.

A Study on Some Physical Attributes of Naeini Sheep Wool for Textile Industry

In order to evaluate some physical and qualitative characteristics of Naeini sheep wool for using in textile industry, herds from 6 different regions of Isfahan province were chosen. Staple length from 3 different body parts (shoulder, side and britch) was measured prior to shearing. Wool samples were taken from a 100 cm2 surface on the mid-side of the Animals. Then the samples were transferred to the Laboratory of Animal Sciences for evaluations of some quality characteristics and to the Fiber Physics Laboratory for measuring tenacity, breaking strength and elongation at break of fibers. The means and standard deviations of staple length were estimated (10.8 +/- 2.36), (9.71 +/- 3.14) and (10.99 +/- 2.49) cm for shoulder, side and britch parts, respectively. The total average staple length of Naeini sheep (10.5 cm) is suitable for using in textile industry. Wool fibers of Naeini sheep have desirable tenacity and breaking strength (1.22 cN/dtex and 13.76 centi-Newton) to resist against mechanical tensions of the spinning step. However, Naeini sheep wool fibers have an adequate, but not a desirable % elongation at break (28.6%). Based on the fiber diameter mean of Naeini sheep and its variation (28.51 +/- 4.33 microm) the fleece grade of Naeini sheep was predicted 54's, which is an intermediate grade. However, by conducting breeding programs toward enhancing fleece grade, Naeini sheep wool will be simply applicable in textile industry.

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution on the surface of wool fiber and cotton fiber

Adsorption of dye methylene blue from aqueous solution on the surface of sheep wool and cotton fibers was accomplished under the optimize conditions of temperature, concentration, pH, stay time duration and quantity of adsorbent. Spectrometric technique was used for the measurements of concentration of dye before and after adsorption. The percentage removal and distribution constant (K D ) values for the removal of of methylene blue were also calculated. The values of % adsorption data for methylene bluesheep wool system show better adsorption capacity as compared to methylene bluecotton fiber system. The applicability of Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm equations for the present system was also tested. The experimental data are fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The values of their corresponding constants were determined from the slope and intercepts of their respective plots. Thermodynamic parameters like ΔG °, ΔH ° and ΔS ° were calculated on the basis of Langmuir constant K. The methylene bluesheep wool system show non spontaneous and exothermic behavior, while methylene bluecotton fiber system show spontaneous and endothermic behavior. The results of these investigations suggested that natural adsorbents can be utilized as adsorbent materials, because of their selectivities for the removal of dyes. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol 9(2) 2005: 29-35