Technical Textiles Research Articles

Micro-computed tomography for the identification and characterization of archaeological lime bark

In the Neolithic pile-dwelling settlements of southwestern Germany, bark played a prominent role in the production of technical textiles. So far, the inner bark (phloem) of the lime tree (genus Tilia) could be detected most frequently. Microscopic examination of anatomical features can determine the taxon, requiring manipulation of samples and archaeological objects. In this study, micro-computed tomography (µCT) was reviewed as a method for determining the woody taxon and obtaining additional information from the inner bark. To this end, modern bark samples from different tree organs of lime were first analysed using both µCT and transmitted light microscopy. Both methods were able to detect all characteristic anatomical features in the phloem and identify the genus. With analysis based on µCT data, further anatomical information can be obtained. For example, the shape of the phloem rays in the bast strips can provide information on the position within the bark and on the original organ diameter. These results obtained on modern material were verified on four samples from archaeological objects. Based on µCT, all samples could be clearly identified as lime and in two cases conclusions could also be drawn about the raw material. This approach could lead to new results and interpretations in archaeological sciences.

Oil adsorbing and transporting surfaces: a simulative determination of parameters for bionic functional textiles

Certain superhydrophobic plants, such as Salvinia molesta, are able to adsorb oil films from water surfaces and thus separate the oil from the water. There are first attempts to transfer this phenomenon to technical surfaces, but the functional principle and the influence of certain parameters are not yet fully understood. The aim of this work is to understand the interaction behavior between biological surfaces and oil, and to define design parameters for transferring the biological model to a technical textile. This will reduce the development time of a biologically inspired textile. For this purpose, the biological surface is transferred into a 2D model and the horizontal oil transport is simulated in Ansys Fluent. From these simulations, the influence of contact angle, oil viscosity and fiber spacing/diameter ratio was quantified. The simulation results were verified with transport tests on spacer fabrics and 3D prints. The values obtained serve as a starting point for the development of a bio-inspired textile for the removal of oil spills on water surfaces. Such a bio-inspired textile provides the basis for a novel method of oil–water separation that does not require the use of chemicals or energy. As a result, it offers great added value compared to existing methods.

High-temperature heat transfer simulation and optimization of quartz fiber-aerogel composite multilayer 3D fabric

Quartz fabrics, which have excellent mechanical properties and high temperature resistance abilities, had been widely applicated in aerospace, military, and other thermal insulation fields. However, single-layer quartz fabric has poor thermal insulation performance, which is unfavorable to the high temperature application of this material. In order to improve the thermal insulation effect of quartz fiber fabric, silica aerogel materials with outstanding thermal insulation performance were introduced to the fabrication of quartz fabrics. Thermal insulation properties of quartz fiber and mechanical properties of silica aerogel were improved by a 3D braiding technique. Firstly, a 3D-fabric structure of quartz fiber-aerogel multilayer composite was designed. Silica aerogel and quartz yarn were woven into 3D composite fabric by textile technique. Through 3D braiding technique, silica aerogels were protected by quartz yarns while enhancing their mechanical properties. The thermal insulation performance and high temperature erosion resistance of the fiber-aerogel fabric are improved. Secondly, to explore the influence of the internal structure of the 3D fiber-aerogel composite fabric, a full-scale 3D simulation model for the heat transfer performance of fiber-aerogel multilayer composite was established. The thermal insulation performance of the composite fabric at 700 °C was predicted. Finally, the temperature of different positions inside the fabric in different environments (300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C) was tested. It has been proved that introducing aerogel materials to the quartz fabric could reduce the surface temperature by about 60%.

AN OVERVIEW OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING TEXTILES

Textiles are having evolution from being normal protective clothing to smart and technical textiles. Electrically conducting fabrics forms the backbone of being smart textiles. The smart textile combines electronics with textile structures, referred to as “textronics”. One major challenge to the success of such wearable smart textile resides in the development of lightweight and flexible components, and fibrous structures with high electrical conductivity able to withstand the stresses associated with wearing and caring for the textile. Therefore, flexible, deformable, stretchable, and durable conductive textile materials are needed for durable smart fabrics that capture and convey information and enable computing while accommodating the drape and movement of the human body. In recent decades, numerous approaches have been made in research to address this challenge using the flexibility and versatility of textile structures, along with innovations in the field of particulate and fibrous materials. This review focuses on the methods of synthesis of electrically conducting textiles and their applications. Particularly, it summarizes textile based multi-functional devices and their potential applications for portable or wearable functional integrated electronics, energy conversion & storage devices, sensors and actuators. The methods of fabrication like incorporation of conducting polymers are briefly discussed.

The potential future role of antiviral fabrics within healthcare systems

Health care-associated infection is acquired by patients while receiving care and represents the most frequent adverse event with a prevalence internationally ranging from 5.7% to 19.1%. Whilst the role of textiles as a fomite in infection has been questioned, the increasing body of evidence showing microbes persisting on textiles and increasing interest into developing antimicrobial textiles has been further driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of the experiments reported here was to determine whether the antiviral coating remained effective after laundering at national healthcare laundering standards. Secondly, we discuss whether the available testing regime for antiviral treatments on fabric is appropriate for judging the effectiveness of the treatment. There is still significant work that needs to be undertaken in standardising and ensuring the suitability of test methods within this area of technical textiles. Trials in the relevant workplace environment are essential as these may produce very different results to those undertaken as a proof of principle within a laboratory.

Empowerment of Housewives Through Shibori Weaving Skills and Upgrading Knowledge Related to Dyes and Their Wastes

LKP Girly Mode is one of the non-formal educational institutions in the field of sewing skills. This LKP personnel has skills in making shibori tie dye weaving, but still has limitations in coloring and advanced techniques. Shibori is one of dyeing textile techniques that produce fabrics with various colors and patterns. On the other hand, there are many housewives who depend their family income only on their husbands and need skills that are useful to improve family welfare. The community service team of USU has provided 1 unit of obras machine and 2 additional units of sewing machine to LKP Girly Mode. The team has also carried out a workshop to improve the skills of 12 housewives around the LKP. They were trained to make patterned fabrics using the shibori tie dye technique which were then sewn to produce pillowcase products. The sewing machines that have been handed over, directly used at the workshop and useful to support the operational activities of partners. The results of the training are expected to improve skills that support the empowerment of housewives. In the workshop, the Team also introduce about dyes and simple handling of its waste. The team then treated the remaining fabric dye solution so that a clear solution was obtained that was safely discharged into the water without polluting the environment.

Comparative evaluation of textiles for use in textile reinforced concrete

Textile reinforced concrete (TRC) offers many advantages over traditional, steel bar reinforced concrete. The biggest advantage is the corrosion resistance of textiles, which leads to a reduced minimum cover with concrete. This allows for significantly thinner concrete elements, which are also easier to shape because of the excellent draping properties of textiles. For producers of technical textiles there is a need for a quick and easy method to test their products for suitability for use in TRC. In this paper, such a method is proposed: Novel textiles can be evaluated by comparing their properties to those of existing textiles already in use in the construction industry. Three different characteristic values crucial to the suitability of textiles for use in TRC are identified: tensile stress–strain behavior and alkaline resistance of the textiles and the tensile stress–strain behavior of TRC components. For each characteristic value a test method is identified. To validate these test methods and to provide a database for future comparison, the tests are performed on three different impregnated biaxial non-crimp fabrics that are already approved for and used in TRC. These consist of a styrene butadiene rubber impregnated carbon fiber textile, an epoxy resin impregnated alkaline resistant glass textile and a polyvinyl alcohol fiber textile. From these validation tests, key figures that allow for a ranking of new textiles in comparison to the already available textiles are inferred; The tensile strength of the textiles ranges from 880 to 2900 MPa, the alkaline strength degradation is at maximum −0.17 %/day and the tensile strength of the TRC elements ranges from 770 to 2310 MPa. The comparison of these values with those of a new textile enables a quick initial evaluation of the suitability of the new textile for the use in TRC.

Scalable, high-performance, yarn-shaped batteries activated by an ultralow volume of sweat for self-powered sensing textiles

One-dimensional sweat-activated batteries (SABs) provide a practical solution to generating electricity for textile electronics due to their excellent flexibility, biocompatibility, and compatibility with conventional textile techniques. However, the low power outputs and slow, inefficient activation during the initial perspiration stage greatly hamper their applications in textile-based, self-powered sensing systems. To address this issue, we developed a core-sheath-structured sweat-activated yarn battery (SAYB) with a Zn-wire core, a cotton-yarn sheath, and an outermost carbon yarn that served as the anode, sweat-wicking separator, and cathode, respectively. The battery has a power density of 1.72 mW cm−2 and an energy capacity of 15.3 mAh, which are much greater than those of the previously reported cotton-yarn-based SAB. The SAYB could be activated by only 1 μL of 100 mM NaCl solution within 3 s, thanks to the thin, hydrophilic cotton sheath, which may shorten the distance and accelerate liquid penetration between the electrodes. The batteries could tolerate 10,000 cycles of bending, 2800 cycles of twisting, and 20 cycles of washing without significantly reducing their power outputs. Multiple batteries connected in proper configurations could power headlights or charge portable gadgets like a smart watch and a smart phone. The SAYB was produced on a large scale (60 m long) to create a sweat-activated energy fabric (5 m long and 0.5 m wide) using conventional weaving techniques. The fabric was further combined with mini wireless analyzers and strain-sensing yarns to prepare a self-powered sensing T-shirt. The T-shirt can be triggered to wirelessly monitor the arm swing frequency and breathing rate in real time after wicking up the sweat created by a volunteer while he is jogging. The SAYBs are expected to contribute to the production of self-powered smart garments for wearable healthcare and exercise monitoring as reliable one-dimensional power sources.

Discussion on Guidelines of the Mongol Regime for Agricultural Promotion in China and Its Effects on Textile Handicraft in the 13th and 14th Centuries

Taking the interaction between agricultural guidelines of the Mongol regime in China and textile handicraft in the 13th and 14th centuries as the main clue, this article analyzes the historical background of the policies of restoring and promoting agricultural production in the early Yuan Dynasty, reviews the policy content relevant to the planting or breeding of fiber raw materials for textile handicraft, and discusses the role of the relevant policies in promoting textile production and technological progress in the Yuan Dynasty. Studies have revealed that the guidelines adopted by the Yuan authority to promote the production and supply of textile raw materials such as ramie, silk and cotton were deeply influenced by traditional Chinese agricultural civilization，although the traditions of nomadic civilization were still reflected in these policies. Guidelines, while increasing the variety and quantity of levy in the Yuan Dynasty, served to maintain the rule of the Mongol regime and to consolidate the privileges of the nobility. Objectively, those guidelines also promoted the evolution of textile techniques at that time.

Development of a new yarn supply for weft knitting machines to produce innovative knitwear

The increasing demand for technical textiles makes innovations and acceleration of processes necessary. This research paper presents an innovative knitting technology. The technology, which was funded by the European Regional Development Fund as an R&D-project (EFRE-0400310), reduces production time and creates completely novel innovative knitting structures. This paper introduces the validation process of the innovative technology and therefore brings the theoretical considerations into a practical application. The yarn supply technology enables the production of an innovative double-layered fabric on flat and circular knitting machines. This double-faced fabric consists of two single-faced fabric sides which are knitted by a first yarn in the front needle bed and a second yarn in the rear needle bed. These two fabrics are joined by a third yarn knitting in both needle beds in the same carriage stroke. The method ensures that up to three yarns knit in one system pass. Furthermore, a fourth yarn can be implemented to insert a weft yarn. Additionally, the two single-faced fabrics can be produced simultaneously in the same carriage stroke in the front and rear needle beds. In this case, fewer carriage strokes are required for knitting standard structures such as Milano Rib. This structure can be produced one third faster than with conventional methods. The results show that the technology on the circular knitting machine produces good quality knitted fabrics. On the flat knitting machine, however, further research and development are needed to validate the technology.

A multifunctional sateen woven dressings for treatment of skin injuries

Cutaneous wounds with impaired healing such as diabetic ulcers and burns constitute major and rapidly growing threat to healthcare systems worldwide. Accelerating wound healing requires the delivery of biological factors that induce angiogenesis, support cellular proliferation, and modulate inflammation while minimizing infection. In this study, we engineered a dressing made by weaving of composite fibers (CFs) carrying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and a model antibiotic using a scalable sateen textile technique. In this regard, two different sets of CFs carrying MSCs or an antimicrobial agent were used to generate a multifunctional dressing. According to cell viability and metabolic activity as CCK-8 and live/dead with qRT-PCR results, more than %90 the encapsulated MSCs remain viable for 28 days and their expression levels of the wound repair factors including ECM remodeling, angiogenesis and immunomodulatory maintained in MSCs post dressing manufacturing for 14 days. Post 10 days culture of the dressing, MSCs within CFs had 10-fold higher collagen synthesis (p < 0.0001) determined by hydroxyproline assay which indicates the enhanced healing properties. According to in vitro antimicrobial activity results determined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution tests, the first day and the total amount of release gentamicin loaded dressing samples during the 28 days were higher than determined minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) values for S. aureus and K. pneumonia without negatively impacting the viability and functionality of encapsulated MSCs within the dressing. The dressing is also flexible and can conform to skin curvatures making the dressing suitable for the treatment of different skin injuries such as burns and diabetic ulcers.

Super-Hydrophobicity of Polyester Fabrics Driven by Functional Sustainable Fluorine-Free Silane-Based Coatings.

Polyester fibers are widely employed in a multitude of sectors and applications from the technical textiles to everyday life thanks to their durability, strength, and flexibility. Despite these advantages, polyester lacks in dyeability, adhesion of coating, hydrophilicity, and it is characterized by a low wettability respect to natural fibers. On this regard, beyond the harmful hydrophobic textile finishings of polyester fabrics containing fluorine-compounds, and in order to avoid pre-treatments, such as laser irradiation to improve their surface properties, research is moving towards the development of fluorine-free and safer coatings. In this work, the (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and various long alkyl-chain alkoxysilanes were employed for the fabrication in the presence of a catalyst of a water-based superhydrophobic finishing for polyester fabrics with a simple sol-gel, non-fluorinated, sustainable approach and the dip-pad-dry-cure method. The finished polyester fabrics surface properties were investigated by static and dynamic water repellency tests. Additionally, the resistance to common water-based liquids, abrasion resistance, moisture adsorption, and air permeability measurements were performed. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the micro- and nano-morphology of the functionalized polyester fabrics surfaces. The obtained superhydrophobic finishings displayed high water-based stain resistance as well as good hydrophobicity after different cycles of abrasion.

Liquid crystalline polybenzoxazines for manufacturing of technical textiles: Water repellency and ultraviolet shielding

Herein, the presented approach was investigated a unique technique for manufacturing water repellent/UV-protective cotton fabrics through in-situ/thermal polymerization of benzoxazine (BZs) within cotton matrix. Two BZs abbreviated as Ph-p-BZ and Ph-o-BZ were initially synthesized, and their chemical formulas were verified with FTIR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR spectral mapping data. For Ph-p-BZ, the endothermic peak was observed at 65 ᵒC, to indicate its highly/purified crystalline structure. DSC data for poly-(Ph-p-BZ) and poly-(Ph-o-BZ) showed that, their high Tg was estimated at 210 ᵒC and 195 ᵒC, respectively, due to their highly crystalline/cross-linked network structure. In-situ/thermal polymerization of Ph-p-BZ and Ph-o-BZ as within cotton matrix was subsequently proceeded. Contact angle was observably increased to 125.0° for the fabric coated with four layers of poly-(Ph-p-BZ) (cotton modified with four layers of poly-(Ph-o-BZ); 120.3°). Wetting of water droplets was not significantly observed even after 8 min. Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was significantly increased from 1.4 for untreated cotton to 37.9 and 48.2 after modification of cotton with 4-layers of poly-(Ph-o-BZ) and poly-(Ph-p-BZ) polymers, respectively. Eventually, poly-benzoxazines derivatives could be applicable for manufacturing of water repellent/UV-protective fabrics that might be beneficial for military clothes.

Analysis of Textile Circularity Potential

Abstract Global annual textile consumption has doubled in the last two decades and is expected to keep increasing. Since the textile system operates primarily in a linear way, it is highly polluting and creates a lot of waste. But nevertheless, it has a high potential for circularity since most textile products can be recycled or reused. Today most of the waste ends up in landfills, and less than 1 % is recycled back into textiles. This study aims to gather information and evaluate which textile product group has the highest potential for circular economy growth. It covers three main textile product streams: fashion, home, and technical textiles. The groups were compared using fifteen criteria: environmental impact, washes, landfilled waste, recycled waste, origin of fabric, projected lifetime, market demand, production volume, international trade, labour productivity, value added, energy efficiency of production technologies, innovation capacity, employment, and enterprises. Input values have been found for each sustainability indicator by using and mathematically transforming data from the scientific literature. The evaluation method used in this study was multi-criteria decision analysis. The results indicated that the fashion textile group has the most significant potential for circular economy development, mainly because it is the largest textile product stream, and the development of a circular economy could be cost-effective.

The effect of miss stitches on the dimensional and stretch properties of double weft cotton/flax knitted fabrics

This research aims to investigate the influence of single miss stitches on the structural characteristics, dimensional stability, and stretch properties of double weft cotton/flax knitted fabrics. The study encompasses nine fabric variants with different numbers of knit and miss stitches in the repeat, alongside with half Milano rib fabric. All knitted fabrics are produced using a 2-ply 25x2tex x 2 cotton/flax blend yarn (70% cotton, 30% flax) on a 10 -gage flat-bed knitting machine. The comprehensive analysis encompasses crucial structural properties after dry relaxation for 10 days and after four washing cycles. Also, both the dimensional properties and stretch properties were examined b lengthwise and widthwise. It was found that the lengthwise dimensional changes for all fabrics were significantly greater than widthwise. The interlooping repeat significantly affects the widthwise fabric shrinkage: an increase in the percentage of missed stitches in the repeat leads to a decrease in the widthwise shrinkage. The full lengthwise deformation of studied fabrics ranges between 15% and 25%, while the widthwise value reaches up to 63% and depends on miss stitches repeat. An Increasing the percentage of missed stitches in the repeat leads to a decrease in the widthwise stretching due to the floats’ positioning in this direction. Fabrics with the same percentage of miss stitches in the repeat show similar levels of structural characteristics, shrinkage and deformations. In brief, this research offers valuable insights into the properties of double knitted fabrics with different single miss stitches. Understanding how these stitches influence fabric characteristics can greatly optimize textile design and manufacturing for both fashion and technical textiles.

Istraživanja antibakterijskih svojstva tkanine od banane bojenjem prirodnim bojama

Natural fibres, which are always biodegradable, organic, and non-toxic, find wide demand in technical textiles. Banana, a cellulosic fibre acquired from the banana plant, is a natural fibre that contributes to conserving the environment. The present study envisages extracting banana fabric using natural dyes such as henna, turmeric, and indigo. The banana fabric was pre-mordanted with two types of mordants, i.e., copper sulphate and alum. The banana fabric was dyed with turmeric, henna, and indigo. The henna shows a brown colour, the indigo shows a light blue colour, and the turmeric shows a rich yellow colour. Among those three dyes, turmeric shows the best colour, i.e., a rich yellow colour, and it also shows good antibacterial properties.

Numerical Calculation of Influencing Parameters on the Seam Allowances of Textile Materials During Ultrasonic Welding

The ultrasonic welding process allows economically efficient and safe for the workers waterproof joining of textile materials and is applied in the production of various technical textiles, protective clothing, and other types of textile products. In this latest research work, a flexible, textile-based heating element is produced by the connection of waterproof laminated textiles using ultrasonic technique. This novel product allows completely new options for the design of flexible heating and cooling elements for rooms and various other applications but requires high quality seams.&#x0D; &#x0D; This work starts with the theoretical background about the heating of the textile until reaching the welding temperature within the welding zone. The heat flow through the volume of the welded textiles is investigated numerically using Finite Element Method software. The simulation is performed for different sizes and configurations of the seam allowances, so that options between overlapping only in the pressed area without side allowance (no free allowance), small allowance, and larger allowance are simulated. These simulations demonstrate different distributions of the temperature in the seam cross-section at the different configurations, because of the different amounts of textile material around the welding place.

Coating Machine Developed for Technical and Smart Textile Applications

In today's textile industry, besides products that appeal to fashion, functional technical and smart textile products obtained by integrating many technologies into clothing are in demand. Many functional properties such as antibacterial, heat and electrical conductivity can be applied to yarns and fabrics by production methods such as impregnation, exhaust, etc. However, the current yarn coating technology has disadvantages such as inability to make homogeneous coating with different chemicals and low coating durability. In this study, the coating process was carried out in a yarn coating machine, which was developed to allow one-wire coating from bobbin to bobbin, which is the first in the sector, and the effect of the coating method on the yarn properties was evaluated by examining the performance characteristics.&#x0D;

Aerogel composites and blankets with embedded fibrous material by ambient drying: Reviewing their production, characteristics, and potential applications

Aerogels are three-dimensional nanostructures of non-fluid colloids connected to porous networks made of loosely packed bonded particles. They are often manufactured utilizing the sol-gel technique following a drying procedure like supercritical, freeze, or ambient pressure drying. It is the lightest solid material and has several unique qualities, including excellent insulation. Intrinsic brittleness and porous nature make their processing and handling complex, which restrict applicability in several real-world dynamic situations. An effective strategy to strengthen the silica aerogel structure is manufacturing composites with an incorporated fibrous material, which expands their uses considerably. This study covers the scientific synthesis, characterization, and applications of silica aerogel. It encourages silica aerogel composites/blankets that are strengthened by additives and fibrous material made from a wide variety of fibers and fabrics, as well as their manufacturing processes and properties. The effect of fibrous material (fiber and fabric) embedment on the final properties of composites has been extensively discussed, considering the amount of loading in the matrix and their unique characteristics, such as density, shrinkage, mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties. Fiber-reinforced silica aerogel composites’/blankets applications are briefly discussed, indicating advancements in aerogel functions such as thermal sensors, acoustic insulators, and technical textiles such as protective clothing, medical textiles, and insulation blankets.

Suntex

The key objective of this research project is to “create a new architectural textile, Suntex, by interweaving thin film solar cells and electrically conductive yarn into a structural technical textile, so it can generate energy while it is providing shade, structure or an aesthetic update to a building.”&#x0D; Textile has strong potential as a sustainable building material because it can be lightweight, material efficiency and low carbon. Moreover, its flexibility provides great design freedom and its transparency makes it very suitable for façade applications, maintaining views to the outside while providing solar shading. Suntex is a solar textile, currently in development, intended for textile architecture applications like textile façades. By combining three qualities, namely providing the building with energy generation, solar shading and a unique aesthetic appearance, which also promotes the acceptance of solar technology, it offers a positive climate impact.&#x0D; Suntex can be considered as a new type of membrane material for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). With this innovative, constructive fabric, enormous surfaces that are still unused can be outfitted with energy-generating potential.&#x0D; This paper presents a design case to analyse the potential impact of Suntex as a textile façade. Based on insights into the development process and experiment results so far, it evaluates the feasibility and impact from a technical and design perspective.