Showing papers in "Journal of Industrial Textiles in 2003"

New Discovery in the Properties of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

Abstract: Composite materials with thermoplastic matrices and a reinforcement of natural fibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to glass fiber-reinforced composites. The substitution of the traditionally used reinforcing glass fibers by natural fibers such as flax, kenaf, or cotton can lead to a reduction of the component's weight and furthermore to a significant improvement of specific properties like impact strength, crash behaviour, or sound absorption. One of the major fields of application for such materials can be found in structural components for the automotive industry. Product examples are door trim panels, headliners, or back panels. At present the processing of such materials into structural parts usually takes place by thermal compression molding. Semiproducts (so-called hybrid fleeces) are employed, which are generated by carding or air-laid processes and subsequent mechanical bonding. This paper presents a survey and latest developments on the material, processing technologies, and fields...

Non-woven protective garments with thermo-regulating properties

Abstract: Non-woven protective garments consisting of multi-layer composite barrier fabrics where at least one of the layers is made of an elastomeric material comprising finely divided phase change materials such as crystalline alkyl hydrocarbons or salt hydrates facilitate thermo-regulation due to latent heat absorption and latent heat release in the phase transition range of the phase change material, which improves the thermal performance and enhances the comfort of non-woven protective garments significantly.

Water vapour transfer in wet waterproof breathable fabrics

Abstract: To answer the question of whether condensation occurring on the inner surface of a waterproof breathable fabric or moisture content within such a fabric has the greater effect on water vapour transfer rate experiments were conducted using two different types of waterproof breathable fabrics under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. It was found from the experimental results that moisture content and condensation have effects on water vapour transfer in both porous polyurethane and hydrophilic laminated fabrics; higher moisture content and larger amounts of condensation increase the water vapour transfer. The water vapour transfer rate of polyurethane laminated fabrics was greater under isothermal conditions whilst the water vapour transfer rate of hydrophilic laminated fabrics was greater under non-isothermal conditions, especially when a fabric contains more moisture in either form. It was also found that the way moisture content and condensation affect the rate of water vapour transfer is differen...

The Use of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment in Desizing PVA on Viscose Fabrics

Abstract: In this study, both air-oxygen-helium and air-helium atmospheric pressure plasma treatments were employed to desize PVA on a rayon (viscose) fabric. Both the plasma treatments were able to remove s...

Modern Approaches for Intelligent Surface Modification

Abstract: Increasing demand for specialized textiles, especially high performance technical products, can be observed world-wide. Therefore, intensive research work concentrates on the development of new methods for specific modification or functionalization of synthetic fiber surfaces to achieve improved or even new properties. Two of these methods are described in detail. One is an innovative method for textile finishing that involves modification of fiber material with organically modified ceramics, which combine advantages of organic polymers and ceramics. These materials are part of the nanotechnology. Another approach to create specific surface properties involves photochemical and/or physical modifications using excimer-UV-light sources. These special light sources emit monochromatic radiation that allows well-defined modification processes.

Three-Dimensional Garment Computer Aided Intelligent Design

Abstract: This paper proposes to use expert systems and the technique of 3D modeling to realize intelligent design of 3D garments. The advantages of this new approach, compared with conventional ones, are discussed. The new approach includes several steps: First, set up the 3D garment prototype by using the method developed in this paper. Next study the relationship between the parameters of the 3D garment prototype and different garment styles. Based on the relationship, the algorithms and production rules for transferring style requirements to the parameter values of the garment prototype are developed. As such, the knowledge base can be constructed, and the intelligent design system of the 3D garment style is built. Using the system, various 3D garment styles can be designed automatically to satisfy various style requirements.

Liquid repellency and durability assessment: A quick technique

Abstract: Water and oil repellency are among the most common functional properties that need to be assessed for protective clothing, both during development and production. There are established techniques f...

Hot-Melt Application for Functional Compounds on Technical Textiles:

Abstract: Application of hot-melt products for the production of functional technical textiles is increasing rapidly. The system in comparison to the wet lamination process is able to run at high speeds. Inc...

Dynamic Characterisation of Industrial Textiles Using an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

Abstract: The fundamental understanding of individual fibers and fiber assemblies has driven innovations in industrial textiles. The use of new tools is of importance in this innovation process. The use of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) for characterization of industrial textiles under dynamic conditions has been explored in this study. We have developed different techniques for examining and imaging industrial textiles under varying conditions. The dynamic experiments of wetting, absorption, loading deformation, and thermal bonding of industrial textiles were performed in the Philips XL 30 FEG-ESEM. ESEM provides new approaches to dynamic studies of industrial textiles. The relative humidity in the ESEM chamber was raised up to 100% by controlling the specimen's temperature and the chamber pressure to produce the condition for dynamic wetting and absorption tests. The tensile testing was carried out on a tensile stage that was placed in the ESEM chamber. The thermal bonding process was imaged on...

Textile back-coating environmental challenges for the UK furnishing fabrics industry: Release and exposure of flame retardant species

Abstract: European priority-chemical risk assessments of flame retardants, UK work on associated ecotoxicological risks, the findings of the US NAS/NRC subcommittee report on the risk assessment of flame retardant chemicals and the related work of the US CPSC, have revealed a distinct absence of good quality peer reviewed information on the release of flame retardants from common consumer product materials. Such lack of information for human exposure by dermal, oral and inhalation routes and for environmental ecotoxicology assessments can have a significant impact on the outcome of current and future prospective approaches to risk assessment. This is illustrated for some current risk assessment methodologies. Flame retardant release and exposure measurements may obviate the need for more expensive and time-consuming toxicology work to arrive at risk assessments that contain a high degree of certainty. We discuss flame retardant release and exposure research needs and describe recently initiated work to establish re...

Coating of polypropylene nonwovens with acrylic copolymers

Abstract: Spun bonded polypropylene (PP) has several advantages, such as low density, chemical resistance, mildew and stain resistance, good dimensional stability, and low cost. However, it has some disadvantages, also. It is porous, UV stability is poor and it is difficult to dye or print. Coating of PP nonwoven with acrylic copolymer improves tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and UV stability. Tear strength of the coated nonwovens decrease, due to immobility of filaments during the tearing process. SEM shows that porosity decreases and pigment particles are entrapped by copolymer films after coating. © 2003 Sage Publications

Behavior of an intumescent system for flame retardant materials coated on polypropylene textiles

Abstract: The use of flammable materials in house interiors, building or public transport constitutes a potential hazard for people in case of fire. The need for consumer protection, coupled with the new regulations and environmental concerns, increases the interest in flame-retardant treatments, in particular intumescent systems. The aim of this work was to develop innovative synthetic textiles, bonded with flame-retardant back-coating at laboratory scale, and to develop a methodology to study the fire behavior of these kinds of materials. Our work points out the differences in fire behavior of polypropylene textile structures in comparison with plastics. Fire behavior was validated on cone calorimeter equipment. As a consequence, this study shows how after reducing the rate of heat release, which is one of the parameters of the new regulations, polypropylene fibers can be used for flame retardant materials.

New development of cellular textile composites for energy-absorption applications

Abstract: The design and fabrication of a new class of knitted textile composites, cellular textile composites, are described in this paper, based on our extensive studies on the large deformation mechanisms and energy-absorption behavior of these kinds of materials. The material system and the reinforced fabric architecture are specially selected so as to make the cellular textile composite have better mechanical properties than its components, fiber or matrix. The cell configuration and cell pattern are designed and optimized to achieve higher energy-absorption capacity. The effects of geometric parameters, such as cell height, diameter ratio of cell-top to cell-bottom, semiapical angle of the flat-topped conical shell, cell wall area and cell density are experimentally and analytically studied, leading to an optimal design of the cell geometry and cell distribution.

An Apparatus Used to Investigate Condensation for Fabrics, Laminates and Films

Abstract: A complete representation of the skin microclimate-fabric-environment includes the skin layer S, fabric F and outside environment E. Between the skin and fabric is the “clothing microclimate” M. Condensation occurring on the fabric's inner surface depends upon perspiration transfer from the human body through the clothing, which is determined by the properties of the fabrics. A new measuring apparatus, which conducted under computer control, described in this paper can be used to investigate whether condensation occurs on the fabrics. The measuring apparatus can be used to examine, record and display temperature and relative humidity simultaneously and permits rapid testing of small quantities of fabrics in a short amount of time. It is logical to use the apparatus described in this paper rather than the ASTM 96E-00 to investigate water vapor permeability of fabrics, especially condensation on the fabrics' inner surface.

Effect of Bonding Resins on the Flammability Properties and Thermal Behaviour of Cotton and Cotton/PESFR Woven Fabrics:

Abstract: This study deals with the influence of two binder resins (acrylic and styrene-butadiene resins) on the fire properties and the thermal behaviour of cotton and cotton/flame retardant polyester (PESFR) textiles. Lab-scale fire testings (limiting oxygen index and vertical fire test) have shown that the impregnation of the cotton/polyester fabrics leads to a dramatic loss of fire performance. Therefore, a thermogravimetric study (under oxidative and inert atmospheres) of cotton/polyester blends, impregnated or not impregnated, were carried out to understand the interactions between the fabrics and resins. Data of these thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were then modelled using Invariant Kinetic Parameters methods to determine the kinetics parameters and the modes of degradation of the impregnated fabrics.

Effect of Fluorochemicals on Flame-Retardant Fibers:

Abstract: To develop durable flame, water and oil repellent fabrics, a study was undertaken using fluorochemicals as water and oil repellent agents on inherently flame-retardant fibers. The treated samples were leached for 30 and 60 min to evaluate durability of the chemical treatment. The fluorochemical treatments produced durable fabrics that were simultaneously flame retardant and water and oil repellent. The effect of fluorochemicals on the thermal chemistry of inherently flame-retardant fibers was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The studies showed that the fluorochemical treatment does not affect the thermal chemistry of the flame-retardant fibers.