Effects of weft count and weft density on the surface roughness of 3/1 (Z) twill woven fabric

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of weft yarn diameter and pick density on the properties of surface roughness (SMD) of 3/1 (Z) twill-woven fabrics in three measurement directions weft (0°), the warp (90°) and the diagonal (45°). Design/methodology/approach Nine 3/1 (Z) twill samples were prepared with two factors and three levels and their roughness values were measured in the weft (0°), warp (90°) and diagonal (45°) directions of 3/1 (Z) twill fabrics using the Kawabata-FB4 instrument. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine the effect of weft yarn diameter and pick density on SMD properties and comparisons were done in the weft (0°), the warp (90°) and the diagonal (45°) directions. Findings From experimental analysis, weft yarn diameter and pick density affect SMD of 3/1 (Z) twill-woven fabrics in both diagonal (45°) and weft (0°) directions but slightly affect warp (90°) direction. Maximum SMD values were observed in diagonal (45°) directions and the minimum was in warp (90°) directions of fabrics. Weft yarn diameter and pick density are statistically significant on SMD values of 3/1 (Z) twill-woven fabrics for three directions at a 95% confidence interval. Parameter variation in weft directions of 3/1 (Z) twill-woven fabrics also varies SMD values in three directions measurements Originality/value The findings of this study can be usually used for textile technology, industries and laboratories to create a basic understanding for measuring roughness properties of 3/1 (Z) twill fabric. It is also possible to identify the surface characterizations in different directions of measurement for their usage in some specific areas of end application like consumer goods, home textiles, technical textiles, etc.

Effects of Clay in Nylon Fibe

Since the introduction of nylon 6:6, and nylon 6, the nylon fiber was in significant demand in home textile and technical textile articles. Its uses in hosiery, sail cloth, parachute, blouses, gowns and veils, swim suit, parachute, and lingerie etc. Improving the performance of any nylon matrix with the loading of clay content, for the desired effects, can be an important subject to expand the utilization of nylon in automotive, technical textiles etc. This review study is to find out how clay may contribute in the performance of nylon fiber, and what research directions are appealing in achieving the desired effects in nylon fibers. The known effects on orientation and crystal structure of any nylon polymer; and how the advantageous effects in the utilization of nylon are achievable through the incorporation of clay mineral particularly in composite fiber. Strength, fatigue and thermal stability are some improved effects possible. Heat resistance and flame retardancy are particularly discussed. The aim of this review study is to realize how the nylon fiber was modified using the montmorillonite clay; and to explore what are the possible effects, and improvement achieved.

Bio-Based Waterborne PU for Durable Textile Coatings

Polyurethane (PU) coatings are often applied on high added value technical textiles. Key factor to success of PU coatings is its versatility and durability. Up to today most PU textile coatings are solvent-based or water-based. Recent advances are made in applying bio-based PU on textiles. Currently, polymers made from renewable raw materials are experiencing a renaissance, owing to the trend to reduce CO2 emissions, the switch to CO2-neutral renewable products and the depletion of fossil resources. However, the application of bio-based coatings on textiles is limited. The present paper discusses the potential of a bio-based anionic PU dispersion as an environment friendly alternative for petroleum-based PU in textile coating. Coatings were applied on textile via knife over roll. The chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of the bio-based PU coating were characterised via FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and tensile test. The performance of the coating was studied by evaluating antimicrobial properties, fire retardancy, the resistance to hydrostatic pressure initially and after washing, QUV ageing and hydrolysis test. The developed bio-based PUD coating complied to the fire retardancy test ISO 15025 and exhibited excellent hydrostatic pressure, QUV ageing resistance, hydrolysis resistance, wash fastness at 40 °C.

Investigation into the Integration of Impregnated Glass and Carbon Textiles in a Laboratory Mortar Extruder (LabMorTex)

A promising process for the automatization of concrete structures is extrusion or extrusion molding. An innovative approach is the extrusion of concrete with imbedded technical textiles as reinforcement. For a successful extrusion, the rheological properties of the fresh concrete have to be optimized, as it must be extrudable and have sufficient early strength after leaving the mouthpiece. Within the scope of this paper, a process was developed which allows the integration of flexible as well as stiff impregnated textiles into the extrusion process. For this purpose, different textile-reinforced mortars (TRM) were extruded and their material characteristics were investigated. The results show that the mortar cross-section is considerably strengthened, especially when using carbon textiles, and that extrusion has considerable potential to produce high-performance TRM composites. In uniaxial tension tests with TRM, as well as in the pure roving tensile strength tests, textile stresses of approx. 1200 MPa were achieved for the glass textile and approx. 2250 MPa for the carbon textile. The position of the textile layer deviated a maximal 0.4 mm from its predesigned position, which shows its potential for producing tailor-made TRM elements. In addition, by adjusting the mortar mix design, it was possible to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of the extrusion compound by up to 49.3% compared to the initial composition from preliminary studies.

New Method for Determining the Machine-Hand Welding Times Using Ultrasonic Welding Machines with Rotary Sonotrode

The paper presents a new method for determining the machine-hand welding times of synthetic polymer materials using ultrasonic welding machines with rotary sonotrode. The method is based on the claims and observations of W. Möller intended for the clothing industry in the 1990s, according to which there is a spontaneous drop in sewing speed when strongly curved seams are joined, which is due to the possibility of human reactions. The method for determining machine-hand sewing times of curved seams was well accepted in garment production processes. It is used to standardize production time. Using ultrasonic welding machines with rotary sonotrode, the problem of determining the time of ultrasonic joining of curved seams on clothing or technical textiles remained unsolved. That is why is completely new and original model was created, which combines eight technical parameters of ultrasonic welds, eight technological parameters of the production process and seven ergonomic parameters depending on the psychophysical conditions of the workers. The systematic development of the mathematical relationship of all 23 parameters mentioned and the corresponding mathematical expressions for determining and calculating these parameters are presented. These results were also verified by experimental measurements, which show a favourable correlation between the calculated and measured machine hand times. The relationships between the recommended welding speeds, the critical radii of curvature and the number of reactions required according to Möller and the new model are also presented. An analysis of the success in the application of Möller’s and the new model was also performed.

Antibacterial and UV Protection Properties of Modified Cotton Fabric Using a Curcumin/TiO2 Nanocomposite for Medical Textile Applications

Medical textiles are one of the most rapidly growing parts of the technical textiles sector in the textile industry. This work aims to investigate the medical applications of a curcumin/TiO2 nanocomposite fabricated on the surface of cotton fabric. The cotton fabric was pretreated with three crosslinking agents, namely citric acid, 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Quat 188) and 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), by applying the nanocomposite to the modified cotton fabric using the pad-dry-cure method. The chemistry and morphology of the modified fabrics were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the chemical mechanism for the nanocomposite-modified fabric was reported. UV protection (UPF) and antibacterial properties against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacterial strains were investigated. The durability of the fabrics to 20 washing cycles was also examined. Results demonstrated that the nanocomposite-modified cotton fabric exhibited superior antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria and excellent UV protection properties. Moreover, a good durability was obtained, which was possibly due to the effect of the crosslinker used. Among the three pre-modifications of the cotton fabric, Quat 188 modified fabric revealed the highest antibacterial activity compared with citric acid or GPTMS modified fabrics. This outcome suggested that the curcumin/TiO2 nanocomposite Quat 188-modified cotton fabric could be used as a biomedical textile due to its antibacterial properties.

Sportswear: Acumen of Raw Materials, Designing, Innovative and Sustainable Concepts

Sportswear constitutes an integral part of technical textiles and encases great potential as far as technological and design innovations are concerned. The sports textiles have witnessed tremendous evolution and that too at a much faster pace compared to ready to wear segment. The sports clothing is no longer restricted to sportsperson involved in performance sports or strenuous physical activities. However, there has been a surge for sports apparels and accessories among health conscious, fitness freak and gym enthusiasts. Accordingly, the sportswear industry has witnessed revolutionary advancements in development of different sportswear categories like active wear, leisurewear and athleisure to fulfill the requirements of sportsperson as well as health conscious millennials. The basic and functional requirements of comfort, breathability, light weight, anti-static and anti-odor properties can be engineered into sportswear by optimum selection of fibers, yarns, fabrics and garments’ designing aspects. The chapter will provide an insight on the classification, requirements, design aspects, raw material procurement, innovative and sustainable concepts employed in sportswear to enhance the functionality and comfort characteristics of sportswear. Furthermore, the role of technology and fashion in sportswear transformation is also covered in the last sections of the chapter.

Biobased Waterborne Polyurethane-Ureas Modified with POSS-OH for Fluorine-Free Hydrophobic Textile Coatings

Waterborne polyurethane-urea dispersions (WPUD), which are based on fully biobased amorphous polyester polyol and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), have been successfully synthesized obtaining a finishing agent that provides textiles with an enhanced hydrophobicity and water column. Grafting of trans-cyclohexanediol isobutyl POSS (POSS-OH) to the biobased polymer backbone has also been investigated for the first time and its properties compared to a standard chain extender, 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The chemical structure of WPUD has been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The thermal properties have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical properties have been studied by tensile stress–strain analysis. Moreover, the particle size, particle size distribution (PSD), and stability of developed waterborne dispersions have been assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Z-potential, storage aging tests, and accelerated aging tests by analytical centrifuge (LUM). Subsequently, selected fabrics have been face-coated by the WPUD using the knife coating method and their properties have been assessed by measuring the water contact angle (WCA), oil contact angle (OCA), water column, fabric stiffness, air permeability, and water vapor resistance (breathability). Finally, the surface morphology and elemental composition of uncoated and coated fabrics have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. All of the synthesized polyurethane-ureas provided the coated substrates with a remarkable hydrophobicity and water column, resulting in a more sustainable alternative to waterproof coatings based on fluoropolymers, such as PTFE. Grafting POSS-OH to the polymeric backbone has led to textile coatings with enhanced hydrophobicity, maintaining thermal, mechanical, and water column properties, giving rise to multifunctional coatings that are highly demanded in protective workwear and technical textiles.

Visual Parameter Space Analysis for Optimizing the Quality of Industrial Nonwovens

The quality of the technical textiles, in particular nonwovens, depends on the process parameters involved in producing them. It is not practical to investigate the effect of these parameters in real-time. Hence, a digital twin has been developed to analyze nonwoven production processes. The quality of the virtually produced nonwovens from the digital twin is then analyzed and mapped back to the process parameters. Different visualization techniques can be incorporated to guide engineers in finding optimal combinations of these process parameters for obtaining the desired product quality. This would eliminate the traditional trial and error strategies and reduce the domain expertise required in such an analysis. In this paper, we present a visual analytic tool that aids the engineer in analyzing and optimizing the quality of the nonwovens, thereby helping to make beneficial decisions in the industrial production process.

Visual Parameter Space Analysis for Optimizing the Quality of Industrial Nonwovens

The quality of the technical textiles, in particular nonwovens, depends on the process parameters involved in producing them. It is not practical to investigate the effect of these parameters in real-time. Hence, a digital twin has been developed to analyze nonwoven production processes. The quality of the virtually produced nonwovens from the digital twin is then analyzed and mapped back to the process parameters. Different visualization techniques can be incorporated to guide engineers in finding optimal combinations of these process parameters for obtaining the desired product quality. This would eliminate the traditional trial and error strategies and reduce the domain expertise required in such an analysis. In this paper, we present a visual analytic tool that aids the engineer in analyzing and optimizing the quality of the nonwovens, thereby helping to make beneficial decisions in the industrial production process.