Effects of Microwave Treatment in Immersed Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Jute Yarn

The versatile bast fiber jute has environmental benefits compared to glass fibers. However, for jute to be used in a composite, the fiber properties need to be altered. This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of jute yarn to make it more suitable for technical applications as a composite. To alter its mechanical properties, jute yarn was immersed in water during microwave treatment. The time and power of the microwave settings differed between runs. Two states of the yarn were tested: fastened and un-fastened. Tensile testing was used at the yarn and fiber level, followed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy. The treatment result demonstrated the ability to increase the elongation of the jute yarn by 70%. The tenacity was also increased by 34% in the fastened state and 20% in the un-fastened state. FTIR showed that no change in the molecular structure occurred. The treatments resulted in a change of yarn thickness depending on the state of the yarn. The results indicate that microwave treatment can be used to make jute more suitable for technical applications depending on the microwave treatment parameters.

Investigation of the effect of cotton knitted fabric structure of babywear on moisture management properties

In recent years, baby clothing has become an important role in the garment sector. The increasing importance of baby clothing, along with the new designs, different fabric structures, accessories and clothing comfort is required to develop. Due to the increasing importance given to baby health in the world, babywears have to be manufactured from materials that are not harmful to health in accordance with the standards. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cotton knitted fabrics structure of babywear on moisture management properties. For this reason, moisture management properties (wetting time, absorption rate, spreading speed, accumulative one-way transport capability (OWTC) and overall moisture management capability (OMMC)) of cotton knitted fabrics of different structures which are widely used in babywear have been examined. Moisture management tester was used for liquid transport of the knitted fabric samples. As a result of the study, it is observed that single jersey fabric had higher OMMC values than these of interlock and 1x1 rib knitted fabrics. Regarding the effect of yarn thickness, liquid transport increased with decreasing yarn thickness in general. Regarding the effect of fabric weight and fabric thickness, liquid transport decreased with increasing weight and thickness in general. Negative correlations were observed between fabric weight, fabric thickness and overall moisture management capability.