Textile Fabrics Research Articles

Decorative 3D printing on textiles using elastomer TPU filament under different printing conditions

Purpose New sustainable approaches to fashion products are needed due to the demand for customization, better quality and cost reduction. Therefore, the decoration of fashion products using 3D printing technology can create a new direction for manufacturing science. Design/methodology/approach This study aims to optimize the 3D printing of soft TPU material on textiles. In the past decade, trials of using 3D printing in tailored fashion products have been done due to the 3D printing simplicity, low cost of materials and time reduction. Therefore, soft polymers can be multi-layer stepped-deposited smoothly with the fused filament fabrication process. Findings Even though there have been many attempts in the literature to 3D print multilayer polymer filaments directly onto textile fabrics by special-purpose 3D printers, only a few reports of decorative or personalized artefact 3D printing using open-platform filament material extrusion 3D printers. Printing speed, nozzle Z distance, textile fabric thickness and deposited strand height significantly affect 3D printing on textile fabric. Originality/value This study investigates the potential of 3D printing on textiles by changing the printing speed, nozzle hot end, Z distance and layer thickness. It presents two critical case studies of 3D printing soft thermoplastic polyurethane material on a cotton T-shirt and on a tulle textile to reveal the 3D printing on textile fabrics manufacturing challenges.

A novel biosynthesis of activated carbon manganese oxide nanocomposite and assessment of the biomedical role in fabricated cotton fabric nanocomposite

Ordinary products undergo a transformation to imbue new functional characteristics through the incorporation of nanocomposites into textile fabrics due to their high surface-volume ratio. In the present research, activated carbon (AC) manganese oxide nanocomposite was prepared through the sonochemical method using almond leaves and incorporated into cotton fabric via ultrasonic and dip coating methods to enhance the antibacterial activity. The characterization of the nanocomposite was conducted using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photo luminescence spectra showed a predominant yellow emission at 572 nm. The AC-Mn3O4 nanocomposite exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Notably, AC-Mn3O4 nanocomposite-loaded cotton fabric showed tremendous activity toward Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The antioxidant evaluation using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay revealed a higher antioxidant activity with a lower IC50 value. In vitro cytotoxicity of AC-Mn3O4 nanocomposite was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetazolium bromide (MTT) assay against normal mouse fibroblast cells(NIH3T3 cell line) at different concentrations with an IC50 value of 187.6 μg/ml. These results confirm the simple, nontoxic and eco-friendly protocol for the coating of AC-Mn3O4 nanocomposite on cotton fabric, which could be used as a safer alternative approach in health-care applications.

Influence of Textile Substrates on the Adhesion of PJM-Printed MED610 and Surface Morphology

The idea of 3D printing on textile fabrics was first mentioned around 10 years ago and has been investigated in detail since. Originally aimed at opening new design possibilities, combining 3D printing with textile substrates has shifted towards a new method to prepare composites with defined mechanical and other physical properties. The main problem of fused deposition modelling (FDM; also referred to as material extrusion (MEX) according to ISO/ASTM 52900) is printing on textile fabrics, where the frequently insufficient adhesion between both materials has not been fully resolved. For this reason, a few attempts have been made to combine other additive manufacturing methods with textile fabrics. While the principle possibility of using stereolithography (SLA) on textile fabrics was demonstrated a few years ago, PolyJet modelling (PJM) has only recently proven to be applicable for direct printing on textile materials. Here, we present the first study of printing MED610 medical resin on different fabrics. We show that a higher textile fabric surface roughness generally increases the adhesion of the printed material, while a higher hydrophobicity is disadvantageous. We also tested the influence of textile substrates on the porosity of the MED610 surface, as this parameter can influence a material’s potential use in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.

The water vapour resistance dynamic measurement of natural and synthetic fibre

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the dynamic measurement of the water vapour resistance. The water vapour diffusion kinetics depends on the fibre’s material. So, water vapour resistance measurement times till the equilibrium steady state can vary in the case of natural fibres compared to synthetic fibres. Devices for determining water vapour resistance according to the ISO 11092 standard allow static values to be measured.Design/methodology/approachIn this study to investigate the dynamic of the water vapour resistance, a new parameter named “holding period” was introduced and defined as the time from sample placement on the measuring head until the measuring process begins. The holding period was varied as 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 s. Wool and cotton knitted fabrics were tested as natural fibres and compared to 100% polyester and 90% polyester/10% elastane as synthetic fibres. Measurements were conducted under both air velocities of 1 and 2 m/s. The experimental test data were statistically analysed based on ANOVA and four-in-one residual plots.FindingsStatistical analysis of experimental tests shows that the holding period affects water vapour resistance in both air velocities of 1 and 2 m/s and on the measured values in the case of hydrophilic fibres.Research limitations/implicationsThe study of the dynamic relative water vapour permeability of natural and synthetic is an important area of interest for future research.Practical implicationsIt is recommended to hold the samples on the top of the head measurement before starting the test.Originality/valueFollowing the ISO 11092 standard, the static values of the water vapour resistance were measured without considering the dynamic behaviour of the water vapour diffusion through the textile fabrics. This paper fulfils an experimental dynamic measurement of the water vapour resistance.

Assessing compressive mechanical behavior of woven fabric green textile composite using finite element method

AbstractThe research aims to forecast the mechanical performance of a hybrid woven fabric natural composite subjected to compression, utilizing the three‐dimensional finite element method. A detailed finite element model of a plain woven fabric unit cell is created and analyzed for different materials like flax, basalt, and jute, and combinations of these materials (inter‐yarn hybrid basalt‐flax, jute‐flax and basalt‐jute fabrics). It is observed that fabric‘s response to compression is mainly influenced by the transverse longitudinal shear behaviour and the stiffness of the yarn cross‐section. Compression of single‐layer woven fabric involves yarn bending and compaction, resulting in varying fiber volume fractions in different areas due to compaction. The basalt‐jute hybrid plain woven fabric outperformed other plant‐based fiber fabrics with a polypropylene matrix in terms of mechanical performance under compression. Increase in yarn spacing and fabric thickness resulted in higher strain energy and displacement, attributed to changes in fiber volume fraction and crimp angle. Whereas, increasing yarn width led to a stiffer fabric due to increased contact area at the crossover region and higher bending rigidity, resulting in decreased strain energy and displacement. Importantly, this developed model can effectively simulate textile fabrics with diverse weaving patterns, material properties, and loading conditions.

Fabrication of multifunctional wool textile using the synthesis of silver-modified N-doped ZnO/TiO2 photocatalysts

Photocatalysts and noble metals have attracted considerable attention for their potential in addressing global environmental pollution through photochemical processes. At low temperatures, multifunctional self-cleanable wool fabric was developed through green photo-sonosynthesis of N–Ag/TiO2/ZnO. A narrower bandgap of the hybrid photocatalyst, the surface plasmonic resonance effect of silver nanostructures, and nitrogen doping resulted in synergistically enhanced self-cleaning activity. The self-cleaning activity was evaluated by monitoring the discoloration of methylene blue stains on the wool fabric exposed to natural sunlight, using CIELAB color space and ΔE measurements. The ΔE value of the N–Ag/TiO2/ZnO-sonicated wool was superior, showing a value of 45.9 compared to 15.7 for the control and 28.7 for the sample coated by the stirrer. Furthermore, the nanocomposite construction improved tensile strength, enhanced fabric hydrophilicity, and reduced the yellowness index. Additionally, the synthesis of TiO2 and silver particles on ZnO particles increased surface resistance to acid, reducing ZnO acid solubility. The reflectance of the non-treated wool ranged from 5 to 20 % within 200–380 nm, while the reflectance of the Ag/TiO2/ZnO-sonicated sample remained constant at 4 %, exhibiting protection against UV rays. AATCC test revealed 100 % bacteria reduction against E. coli and S. aureus and 99 % against C. albicans fungus for N–Ag/TiO2/ZnO-sonicated sample. Moreover, cell culture assays demonstrated a viability of over 70 %, indicating non-cytotoxicity.

Investigating the Effect of Weave Type and Filament Count on Electrical Conductivity of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Fabrics Coated with PEDOT Polymer

The rapid development of smart and wearable textiles has been driven by the need for smaller and lighter electronic circuits. To make textile surfaces conductive, various methods have been developed, with vapor-phase polymerization being a preferred method due to its smoothness, conductivity, and ease of application. This study investigates the effect of fundamental characteristics of textile fabrics, such as weave type and filament count, on electrical conductivity. Fabrics woven with different filament counts and weave types were coated with PEDOT polymer using vapor-phase polymerization. The results showed that the fabric woven with 150F288 yarns and a 3/1 twill weave exhibited lower electrical resistance, attributed to the microfibrous structure of the yarn and the twill's staggered structure. Despite increases in resistance values after performance tests, the electrical resistance values remained within a sufficient conductivity range. This research contributes to the understanding of how fabric characteristics affect the electrical conductivity of coated textiles, paving the way for the development of smart electronic textiles.

Dyeing of Mixed Cotton and Polyester Fabrics with New Dyes—Complexes of Collagen with Transition Metal Ions

Uniform, stable, one-step dyeing of textile fabrics made from a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers using traditional methods remains problematic to this day. As an alternative to traditional methods, a one-step method for dyeing mixed cotton and polyester fabrics with a new natural dye—a complex of collagen and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ions—was proposed for the first time. Dyeing of pre-prepared cotton, polyester, and cotton–polyester fabrics is carried out by dipping in an aqueous dye solution, squeezing, drying, and heat setting. The influence of the mass ratio of dye components, fixation temperature, and pH of the solution on the degree of dye fixation was determined. A degree of sorption of dyes (14–25%) from the solution onto the surface of fabrics was established, which after heat fixation decreases slightly (1–3%). During washing processes, the copper complex is almost completely washed out from polyester and blended fabrics and remains in small quantities (2.4–3.8%) on the surface of cotton fabrics. After water washing, the degree of fixation of the collagen–chrome complex in fabrics is as follows: in cotton—8–10%, in polyester—10–12%, and in cotton–polyester—8–9%. The color coordinates of cotton and cotton–polyester fabrics hardly change before and after washing, but for polyester fabric, the changes are significant. The mechanism of interaction of the complex dye with the fibers was studied using the Fourier transform infrared method, and the morphology and distribution of the dye on the surface of the samples using the SEM-EDS method. The dye binds to cellulose through ionic and coordination bonds, and to polyester through joint melting. Therefore, unlike pure polyester fabric, cotton and cotton–polyester fabrics demonstrated high color fastness to washing and light fastness. The use of production waste, the exclusion of synthetic dyes and harmful chemicals, and single-stage dyeing of the material reduce the environmental burden.

Surface functionalization of textile fabrics with ZnO nanoplatelets for improved UV protection and self-cleaning features

In this paper, we report on the surface functionalization of textile (cotton-polyester) fabrics with ZnO nanoplatelets by a simple two-step process, which can be easily translated into a highly convenient and cost-effective commercial process. In the first step, morphology-controlled ZnO nanoparticles in the form of flat platelets with high surface area were synthesized by a simple chemical reaction of aqueous solutions of Zn2+ salt, poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA), and sucrose. In the subsequent step, the textile fabrics were coated with a PVA-based nanocomposite of the derived ZnO nanoplatelets by solution immersion technique followed by thermal curing. The covalent interactions in the ZnO-PVA nanocomposite system supported the strong bonding of the ZnO nanoplatelets with the textile fabrics. The ZnO-functionalized textile fabrics showed significantly improved UV protection and self-cleaning features compared to the pristine fabrics.

Fabric Tessellation: Realizing Freeform Surfaces by Smocking

We present a novel method for realizing freeform surfaces with pieces of flat fabric, where curvature is created by stitching together points on the fabric using a technique known as smocking. Smocking is renowned for producing intricate geometric textures with voluminous pleats. However, it has been mostly used to realize flat shapes or manually designed, limited classes of curved surfaces. Our method combines the computation of directional fields with continuous optimization of a Tangram graph in the plane, which together allow us to realize surfaces of arbitrary topology and curvature with smocking patterns of diverse symmetries. Given a target surface and the desired smocking pattern, our method outputs a corresponding 2D smocking pattern that can be fabricated by sewing specified points together. The resulting textile fabrication approximates the target shape and exhibits visually pleasing pleats. We validate our method through physical fabrication of various smocked examples.

Sustainable, Durable, Multifunctional Finishing of Biobased Textile Fabric Using Recycled Sericin as a Finishing Agent

Sustainable, Durable, Multifunctional Finishing of Biobased Textile Fabric Using Recycled Sericin as a Finishing Agent

MXene coating on waste textiles for wearable electronics and thermal regulation

AbstractTransforming discarded textiles into more valuable products through upcycling offers a multi-pronged approach to alleviating textile industry-related pollution. In this study, we employed a facile approach to upcycling waste textile fabrics via MXene functionalization using a passive dip-coating process. The method is straightforward and versatile, producing a continuous coating on a variety of natural and synthetic textile substrates such as cotton, hemp, and nylon. Even with a minimal amount of MXene, the coated fabrics displayed sufficient conductivity, unlocking their potential for a multitude of applications including Joule heating, strain sensing, and infrared (IR) camouflage. The simplicity of this method provides an alternative utilization for fabric off-cuts and end-of-life garments in the production of multifunctional textiles for smart wearable clothing, potentially mitigating the expected scarcity of textile resources in the forthcoming decades. Graphical abstract This study employed a simple and versatile approach of upcycling waste textile fabrics via MXene functionalization through a passive dip coating process, meeting the demands for materials that are both sustainable and multi-functional.

Toward a Sustainable Approach for Durably Hydrophilic and UV Protective PET Fabric through Surface Activation and Immobilization Integrating Epigallocatechin Gallate and Citric Acid.

Enhancing the hydrophilicity and UV protective property of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric are two significant ways to upgrade its quality and enlarge the applicable area. Biobased finishes are greatly welcomed for the fabrication of sustainable textiles; however, their application on PET fabric is still challenging compared with the case of natural fabric. This study presents a strategy that immobilizes epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) onto PET fabric using citric acid (CA) for durably hydrophilic and UV-proof properties with negligible color change. A controllable surface-activating method integrating alkaline and deep eutectic solvent (DES) is customized for the PET fabric to promote the reactions among PET, CA, and EGCG. The hydrophilic, antistatic, and UV protective properties of functionalized PET fabric were explored. Results show that the hydrophilicity of the PET fabric after direct EGCG treatment increases but drops sharply after first-round washing due to weak interactions. The combined alkaline/DES pretreatment increases the number of hydrophilic groups and the roughness of PET fibers. After EGCG modification, the moisture regain (MR) of PET fabric increases from 0.41 to 0.64%. The contact angle and electrostatic charge half-life (T1/2) decreases from >120 to 23°, and from >60 to 0.13 s, respectively. The MR and T1/2 are well retained after a 10-cycle washing. In addition, the UV protective factor of the PET fabric increases from 18 to 36. A very slight yellowing phenomenon occurs on the PET fabric after the treatment. In all, this research attempts to integrate a biobased finishing agent and an eco-friendly cross-linker on synthetic fiber for durable functions, which is transferrable to the sustainable fabrication of other polymeric materials such as fibers or films.

Fabrication of Cu2O plated carbon fabrics via electrochemical deposition method

Functional fabrics have many advanced applications to meet the expectations of the end-user industry. There is a variety of approaches to impart functional properties to the fabrics including coatings, the addition of functional fillers, surface modifications, etc. Metallization techniques are also a good candidate to impart functionalities to textile fabrics. On the other hand, Cu2O is a diamagnetic solid that has a variety of applications from flexible electronics to gas sensing. In this study, one of the simplest plating techniques, the electroplating method, was applied to carbon fabric to provide Cu2O coating on the surface which can add the advantages of metal oxides on carbon fabric. The Cu2O particles were observed on the surface of carbon fabric using SEM and the elemental composition of the surface was investigated using the EDS method. The crystal structure of the coating was identified using the X-ray diffraction technique and Raman spectroscopy. To confirm the achieved structure, FTIR analysis was performed as well. The newly fabricated structure can be a promising candidate for supercapacitors, electromagnetic shielding materials, dielectric surfaces, etc.

Fabrication of multifunctional cotton fabrics with quaternized N-halamine endowing the synergetic rechargeable antibacterial, wound healing and self-cleaning performances

Cotton has attracted considerable attention due to its functional characteristics. The focus of research on cotton has shifted in recent years towards designing multi-functional and modified media for cotton fibers, which can be firmly combined with textiles, giving them reusability and extending their service life. This study constructed a synergistic antibacterial layer of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and N-halamine (Hals) using an in-situ free radical copolymerization method in water, named QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl. The route significantly increases the number of antibacterial active centers. FTIR, XPS, and SEM were used to systematically analyze the product's chemical structure, surface morphology, and other characteristics. The modified fabric's antibacterial efficiency, wound healing, renewability, and durability were also evaluated. The chlorinated modified cotton fabric could completely eradicate S. aureus and E. coli within 10 min. Compared with pure cotton, it notably promoted the healing rate of infected wounds in mice. The modification method imparted excellent hydrophobicity to the cotton fabric, with a contact angle exceeding 130°, making it easy to remove surface stains. After 30 days of regular storage and 24 h of UV irradiation, the active chlorine concentration (Cl+%) only decreased by 25 % and 39 %, respectively, and the reduced Cl+% was effectively recharged via simple re-chlorination. The hydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties of QACs/Hals@cotton-Cl remained stable even after 20 cycles of friction. This simple synthesis technique provides a convenient approach for the scalable fabrication of multifunctional and rechargeable antibacterial textiles, with potential applications in medical devices and personal hygiene protection.

Competitive Textile Exports: A Comparative Study of Pakistan and China in the United States of America Market

The clothing and textile industry is crucial to Pakistan's economy, significantly contributing to GDP and employment. Pakistan, with its strong expertise in cotton manufacturing, faces intense competition from China in the lucrative United States market. This study aims to evaluate Pakistan's textile and clothing exports to the United States and analyze its competitive advantages against China. Utilizing two analytical techniques, the Trade Competitiveness Index and Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), this research assesses Pakistan's positioning in the US market relative to China. Secondary data from authoritative sources such as WITS and UN Comtrade, along with scholarly articles, serve as the basis for the analysis. The study focuses on three key textile divisions (SITC 26, SITC 65, and SITC 84) and examines their impact on US imports. Key findings indicate that while Pakistan has demonstrated growth in textile exports, particularly in textile fabrics (SITC 26) and clothing (SITC 84), it still lags behind China in overall export volume and market share. The RCA analysis reveals that Pakistan possesses a comparative advantage in specific textile categories, though China's market dominance remains unchallenged. The research identifies several challenges for Pakistan, including inefficient resource use, energy supply issues, high production costs, and outdated equipment. However, opportunities for improvement lie in enhancing quality standards, compliance with international trade requirements, and strategic policy enhancements. The study provides actionable recommendations to strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness, such as modernizing production equipment, optimizing resource use, and exploring new markets. The findings of this study are crucial for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and businesses aiming to strengthen Pakistan's textile exports and navigate the highly competitive global textile landscape.

Construction of multifunctional coating for polyester/cotton fabrics using layer-by-layer assembly of biomaterials and spraying of fluorine-free polydimethylsiloxane

Polyester/cotton (T/C) fabric has the excellent properties of both cotton and polyester, and is widely used in the textile field. However, the fabric is highly flammable. Further, the facile growth of bacteria on the fabric surface may lead to contamination that precludes application in some areas. Multifunctional T/C fabrics with flame retardancy, superhydrophobicity and antibacterial property have been prepared by construction a surface coating of phytic acid, chitosan, ferric ion and polydimethylsiloxane via a finishing method. The coated T/C fabric exhibits excellent flame retardancy with a LOI value of 30.2 % and a char length of 10.0 cm for combustion. The coated T/C fabrics also display superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) greater than 150°. The multifunctional coated T/C fabrics exhibit good antibacterial properties with inhibition of bacterial growth for E. coli and S. aureus of over 98 %. Thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy suggest that the multifunctional coating on T/C fabrics produces an intumescent flame retardant effect involving both the promotion of char formation in the condensed phase and the evolution inert species to the gas phase to dilute the fuel load in the combustion zone. A new strategy for the preparation of textile fabrics with good flame retardancy, superhydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties by application of a multifunctional surface coating has been developed.

Supertough MXene/Sodium Alginate Composite Fiber Felts Integrated with Outstanding Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Heating Properties.

The development of multifunctional MXene-based fabrics for smart textiles and portable devices has garnered significant attention. However, very limited studies have focused on their structure design and associated mechanical properties. Here, the supertough MXene fiber felts composed of MXene/sodium alginate (SA) fibers were fabricated. The fracture strength and bending stiffness of felts can be up to 97.8 MPa and 1.04 N mm2, respectively. Besides, the fracture toughness of felts was evaluated using the classic Griffith theory, yielding to a critical stress intensity factor of 1.79 . In addition, this kind of felt presents outstanding electrothermal conversion performance (up to 119 °C at a voltage of 2.5 V), high cryogenic and high-temperature tolerance of photothermal conversion performance (-196 to 160 °C), and excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (54.4 dB in the X-band). This work provides new structural design concepts for high-performance MXene-based textiles, broadening their future applications.

Cut-resistance of elastic high-performance composite yarn

Soft and lightweight personal protective equipment for civil or military use that is made of cut-resistant textiles is usually rigid and heavy, less elastic or flexible. Insertion of elastane fiber during the fabrication of rigid textiles seems to be working, but actually is not. Therefore, it presents a severe challenge in achieving an appropriate balance among elasticity, flexibility, and protection. To address this issue, an elastic cut-resistant composite yarn is fabricated by single wrapping ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene around elastic Spandex. The effects of wrapping parameters (including the twist, spindle speed, and yarn combination) on yarn elasticity and coverage are investigated to achieve a perfect wrapping, and the cut-resistance of the composite yarn is evaluated by using a self-improved AUTOGRAPH universal testing machine. It demonstrates that the cutting process of the composite yarn consists of four stages, the cut modulus and yarn elasticity are highly correlated with yarn structure and wrapping process parameters. The optimizing coverage and cut-resistance are achieved when the twist is 750 t/m, which is also with a high elastic recovery rate (79.79%) and low plastic deformation rate (10.11%). Groups of parallelized composite yarns with varying densities are fabricated by self-improved sample holders to simulate the cut-resistant weaving fabrics with different weaving densities, of which the cut-resistance is evaluated. The resistance against cutting varies significantly among different groups, which is directly proportional to their densities. Finally, two types of elastic cut-resistant fabrics with different structures are woven from fabricated elastic cut-resistant composite yarns practically. Both weft-backed weave and the double-layer weave fabrics have good flexibility and protection, of which the cut-resistance is level 1 and level 2, respectively. Thus, the composite yarn has an excellent elasticity and maintained cut-resistance, which is an ideal material for the production of highly elastic protective textiles.

Chemically Modified Extract of Peanut Red Skin: Toward Functional Dyeing of Textile Fabrics and Study Adsorption Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherm of Dyeing Process

Chemically Modified Extract of Peanut Red Skin: Toward Functional Dyeing of Textile Fabrics and Study Adsorption Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherm of Dyeing Process