Compression resilience and impact resistance of fiber‐reinforced sandwich composites

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the compression behavior of fiber‐reinforced sandwich composites. In this study, five different types of sandwich composites were prepared with warp knitted spacer fabric as middle layer. Four different types of woven Kevlar fabric structures were used as outer layers (skin) along with one sample of woven basalt fabric. The middle layer used is 100% polyester spacer fabric. Sandwich composites were fabricated using epoxy resin by wet lay‐up method under vacuum bagging technique. Compression behavior, ball burst, and knife penetration were tested for all samples. The effect of outer layer of these composites on the mechanical performance was studied using the compression stress‐strain curves. It is known that spacers have excellent compression elasticity and cushioning. Maximum knife penetration resistance is obtained with twill weave on surface because of maximum yarn cohesion and resin impregnation. Higher amount of cohesive friction results in higher resistance against penetration of sharp objects like the knife edge. Plain and twill fabrics offer sufficient resistance again ball burst. The yarn deformation allows formation of dome shape after ball impact. Maximum impact resistance in ball burst is obtained for plain weave because of highest level of interyarn binding. The results provide new understanding of knitted spacer fabric‐based sandwich composites under compression and impact loading condition.     

New Advances in Protection Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Textiles for Summer Clothing

Clothing is considered one of the most important tools for photoprotection against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The standard for sun‐protective clothing is based on erythema despite other biological effects of UVR on the skin. We analyzed the potential protection against UVR in fabrics destined for summer clothing based on several action spectra. We examined 50 garments classified by type of fabric composition, structure of the fiber yarn and color. The ultraviolet protection factor was calculated based on fabric ultraviolet transmittance corrected for erythema according to the EU standard E‐13758 as well as the UVA transmittance of fabrics. UVR protection was also analyzed in base of different action spectra as for previtamin D3, nonmelanoma skin cancer, photoimmunosuppression and photoaging. Most knitted fabrics used for sports T‐shirts offered excellent ratings for ultraviolet protection while normal shirts showed very low ratings, particularly against photoaging. The cover is the most influential variable in fabric photoprotection, having an exponential relationship with the UPF. The relation between cover and UVA protection was linearly negative. Information about ultraviolet protection in textiles used for summer clothing should be included in labeling as some types of fabrics, especially those used for shirts, offer very low UVR protection.     

Influence of knitted structures on heat transfer

In this paper we studied the influence of knitted structures on heat transfer. The structure of the knitted fabric was expressed by geometric properties such as thickness, surface mass and bulked mass, and knitted structure. Heat transfer was experimentally measured on three types of devices. It was found that the measured structural properties do not have a significant effect on heat transfer of knitted fabrics. From three types of devices, the selected device was Alambeta as the most objective method for measuring thermal parameters. It was determined to be the most suitable of knitted structure which provided the best thermal insulation properties.     

Thermal analysis of the polyester profiled fiber

This paper deals with the structure and properties of fibrous materials based on special types of profiled synthetic fibers. Fibrous materials were prepared in the form of integrated knitted fabric where on its flash side were different profiles of polyester fibers and on its right side were a combination of polyester and cotton fibers. The mechanical and physiological properties of knitted fabrics were evaluated. These types of integrated knitted fabrics were used for the sports garments where the measured properties considerably influence clothing comfort.     

Novel conducting fabric polymer composites as stretchable electrodes: one‐step fabrication of chemical actuators

Composite films have functioned as chemical bending actuators, where stretchable conducting fabrics were joined to both surfaces of ionomer films. This phenomenon shows that a direct metallization of either electroless or electrolytic plating having a metal dendrite formation on the ionomer film is not essential for functioning as actuators. Conducting fabric polymer composite (CFPC) actuators can be easily fabricated by a simple adhesion process using flexible conducting fabrics as electrodes. Due to their excellent contraction and expansion capabilities, gold‐ and copper‐plated knitted fabrics were employed and stably bound to Nafion‐117 film. Au‐CFPC actuators demonstrated a maximum bending displacement of ±2.5 mm at ±2 V. Cu‐CFPC gave a smaller displacement of ±0.7 mm at ±2 V, having no reverse displacement. The method described here is widely applicable, introducing conducting layers on various flexible, stretchable, and polymer substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

振动注塑PP的拉伸蠕变研究

分别通过改变机械振动注塑机的频率(5~25 Hz)和压力(10~18 MPa)获得不同条件下成型的PP样条,然后在各种成型条件下的PP样条上分别施加相同的拉伸力(F=125 N),进行24 h拉伸蠕变实验.结果表明,在相同的振动频率(10 Hz)和不同的振动压力下成型的PP试样,其24 h蠕变量随着压力的增大而减小;在相同振动压力(12 MPa)和不同的振动频率下成型的PP试样,其24 h蠕变量随着频率的增大而增大.当振动频率达到f=10 Hz的时候,其24 h拉伸蠕变量的变化趋于平缓.同时,也对不同振动条件下注塑的PP试样进行拉伸实验,冲击实验和动态力学性能测试,讨论了成型条件对性能的影响.     

A study of the thermal properties of bamboo knitted fabrics

In this research, the thermal properties of bamboo single jersey knitted fabrics have been studied in relation to stitch length and yarn linear density in tex. The objective was to determine the influence of fabric factors like stitch length and the constituent yarn linear density on fabric properties, such as air permeability, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and relative water vapour permeability. Yarns with linear densities of 19.6, 23.6, 29.5 tex and with the same twist level were used to construct the fabrics of single jersey structure with stitch lengths of 0.27, 0.29 and 0.31 cm. The anticipated increase in air permeability and relative water vapour permeability with decrease in yarn linear density and increase in stitch length was observed. The thermal conductivity and thermal resistance tended in general to increase with constituent yarn linear density but decreased with increase in stitch length.     

Experimental investigation on the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabrics made of high-performance fibers

In this study, the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabrics made of Nomex (polyisophthaloyl metaphenylene diamine), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), P84 (polyimide), and basalt fibers was investigated. The objective was to determine the influence of fiber type, thickness of fabric, and wet on the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabric. The thermal resistances of different nonwoven fabrics were measured using a dry hot plate instrument, the basalt nonwoven fabrics had a highest thermal resistance in all fabric, and the thermal resistance of nonwoven fabric increased with the increase in thickness. The six nonwoven fabrics were exposed to a hot environment for a few minutes by using a self-designed apparatus. The test results showed that the nonwoven fabrics made with basalt fiber exhibited the best thermal protective performance, and the thermal protective abilities of nonwoven fabrics increased with fabric thickness. Interestingly, nonwoven fabrics with added water were found to be able to keep the fabric surface lower temperature compared to dry fabrics when exposed to a hot environment, indicating the excellent thermal protective performance of wet nonwoven fabrics.     

纤维素纤维材料几种降解方法的研究

测试和比较了天然棉纤维织物和几种人造可再生纤维素纤维(竹原纤维、莫代尔纤维和天丝纤维)在实验室条件下和大环境堆肥条件下的生物降解性.生物降解行为的测试分别采用ASTM D5988-03、堆肥法和酶催化降解法,以比较几种织物在自然环境和微生物培养基条件下的降解速度;结合红外光谱通过分析降解前后结构的改变研究不同的降解方法对纤维素材料的降解程度.结果表明纤维素类纤维织物均表现出良好的生物降解性,并且人造可再生纤维素纤维的降解速度高于天然棉纤维.和传统的实验室条件下测量织物降解性的方法相比,堆肥中含有更多的微生物和酶活性组分,加速了纤维素材料的分解.     

Assessing the quality of raw cotton knitted fabrics by their streaming potential coefficients

Raw cotton knitted fabrics of Greek, Indonesian, and Indian origin were investigated through surface characterization before and after processing. Surface modifications of all the knitted cotton fabrics were objectively evaluated through zeta potential measurements within a range of the electrolyte solution pHs, and swelling over time. Streaming potential coefficients of different cotton knitted fabrics were applied in order to establish a correlation between the properties of the raw and treated cotton knitted fabrics of different origins. The rate of swelling was calculated from the streaming potential coefficients of the raw knitted fabrics before and after different treatments. Swelling rate for different origins and different treatments of cotton knitted fabrics and the correlation coefficients were obtained using linear regression. Additionally, a data cluster analysis was performed in order to group different origins of cotton, while all the treatments were sorted according to zeta potential and the rate of swelling coefficients. The obtained results showed differences among the clusters, depending on the origin of the cotton knitted fabrics and treatments they were exposed to.     

两步辐射接枝法制备抗熔滴涤纶织物

以涤纶(PET)为基材,利用两步γ辐射接枝法在PET织物表面依次引发甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)/二乙烯苯(DVB)和乙烯基磷酸二甲酯(DMVP)接枝共聚,制备了新型抗熔滴PET织物.接枝率随吸收剂量和单体浓度的增加而增加,随剂量率增加而下降.傅里叶红外(FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和热重分析(TGA)的分析结果表明在PET织物上成功引入目标接枝聚合物.相比PET织物,辐射改性PET织物的拉伸强度以及断裂伸长率均有所提高.通过引入交联网状结构以及促进成炭的含磷接枝聚合物,PET织物的抗熔滴特性得到了明显改善,燃烧过程中平均产生一滴熔滴的时间:PET为3.0 s/n,PET接枝PGMA/DVB后延长为17.0 s/n,而进一步接枝PDMVP后在整个燃烧过程中均不产生熔滴.这种新型的方法有望用于PET织物防护服抗熔滴性能的改善.     

Action of a finishing product in the improvement of the ultraviolet protection provided by cotton fabrics. Modelisation of the effect

The Ultraviolet Protection Factor of a fabric is a quantitative measurement of the effectiveness of the fabric to protect the human skin against ultraviolet radiation. The protection provided by uncoloured cellulosic fabrics is, in general, too low, but can be improved by the finishing treatment with UV-absorbers. In the present paper cotton fabrics with different compactness, and hence with different initial Ultraviolet Protection Factor values, are treated with several concentrations of an UV-absorber, according to a predefined experimental plan. The influence of each variable as well as their interaction on the response of Ultraviolet Protection Factor is analysed and a statistical model for predictions is proposed.     

Asymmetrically superhydrophobic cotton fabrics fabricated by mist polymerization of lauryl methacrylate

A graft-polymerization process with atomized lauryl methacrylate as monomer is used to fabricate fluorine-less and asymmetrically superhydrophobic cotton fabrics. The polymers synthesized in the process can form nanoscale hierarchical structures on the cotton surface, and the surface morphology can be controlled by choosing a suitable solvent or by varying the feeding quantity of the monomer mist stream. After applying the surface modification to cotton fabrics, an asymmetrically superhydrophobic surface is achieved without any additional nanosized particles, and the solvent damages on the cotton fabrics are controllable at a very low level. Surface characterization reveals that the modified side of the cotton fabric has laundering-durable and mechanically stable superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of more than 150°, whereas the opposite inherits the hydrophilic property of pristine cotton fabric. The modified cotton fabrics are found to have medium-level water-absorbing ability between pristine cotton and PET fabrics, as well as good vapor transmissibility similar to pristine cotton fabric. These properties are of great significance in textile and medical applications.     

Characterization of 3D angle-interlock thermoplastic composites under high strain rate compression loadings

In the present work, dynamic compression response of polypropylene (PP) based composites reinforced with Kevlar/Basalt fabrics was investigated. Two homogeneous fabrics with Kevlar (K3D) and Basalt (B3D) yarns and one hybrid (H3D) fabric with a combination of Kevlar/Basalt yarns were produced. The architecture of the fabrics was three-dimensional angle-interlock (3D-A). Three different composite laminates were manufactured using vacuum-assisted compression molding technique. The high strain rate compression loading was applied using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) set-up at a strain rate regime of 3633–5235/s. The results indicated that the dynamic compression properties of thermoplastic 3D-A composites are strain rate sensitive. In all the composites, the peak stress, toughness and modulus were increased with strain rate. However, the strain at peak stress of Basalt reinforced composites (B3D, H3D) decreased approximately by 25%, while for K3D specimens it increased approximately by 15%. The K3D composites had a higher strain rate as compared to the B3D and H3D composites. In the case of K3D composite, except strain at peak stress, remaining dynamic properties were lower than the B3D composite, however, hybridization increased these properties. The failure mechanisms of 3D-A composites were characterized through macroscopic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Stab-Resistant Performance of the Well-Engineered Soft Body Armor Materials Using Shear Thickening Fluid

Stab-resistant body armor can effectively prevent sharp instruments from attacking the protected parts and reduce the threat to human bodies. Shear thickening fluid (STF) is a kind of smart material with variable viscosity and its viscosity can change significantly with external stimuli. The soft and adaptive characteristics of STF provide a new idea for improving the performance of stab-proof materials. In this work, three kinds of soft anti-stabbing materials were designed and prepared with aramid, poly–p–phenylene benzodioxazole (PBO), and carbon fiber fabrics impregnated with STF. Quasi-static puncture tests and dynamic impact tests were conducted to compare the performance of different anti-stabbing structures. The results showed that the peak piercing force of the STF-treated fabrics in the puncture testing was greatly increased than that of neat samples. Against the D2 knife, the maximum impact load of STF/PBO fiber fabric was increased from 55.8 N to 72.9 N, increasing by 30.6%. Against the D3 spike, the maximum impact load of STF/aramid fabric was increased from 128.9 N to 254.7 N, increasing by 197.6%. The mechanical properties of fibers were important factors for the resistance to knives, and the fabric structure was the key point to bear the spike. Optical photographs of fabric fractures and scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the STF effectively limited the slip of the fiber bundle when the tool penetrated the fabric, which played a positive role in maintaining the tightness and integrity of the fabric structure.     

Laboratory and outdoor assessment of UV protection offered by flax and hemp fabrics dyed with natural dyes

The safest protection from UV radiation (UVR) exposure is offered by clothing and its protectiveness depends on fabric composition (natural, artificial or synthetic fibers), fabric parameters (porosity, weight and thickness) and dyeing (natural or synthetic dyes, dye concentration, UV absorbing properties, etc.). In this study the UV protection properties of two fabrics made of natural fibers (flax and hemp) dyed with some of the most common natural dyes were investigated. UVR transmittance of fabrics was measured by two methods: one based on the utilization of a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere (in vitro test), and the other based on outdoor measurements taken by a spectroradiometer. Transmittance measurements were used to calculate the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Experimental results revealed that natural dyes could confer good UV protection, depending mainly on their different UVR-absorbing properties, provided that the fabric construction already guaranteed good cover. An increase in cover factor caused by the dyeing process was also detected. Weld-dyed fabrics gave the highest protection level. The comparison between the two methods applied to measure fabric transmittance pointed out that the UPFs calculated by in vitro measurements were generally lower than those based on outdoor data, indicating an underestimation of the actual protection level of tested fabrics assessed by the in vitro test.     

In Situ Synthesis and Characterization of Nano ZnO on Wool: Influence of Nano Photo Reactor on Wool Properties

This study has been carried out to synthesize nano ZnO on wool fabric and also to investigate influences of nano photo reactors on wool fabric characteristics. Zinc acetate has been used as a precursor and the synthesis process has been done in water and water/ethanol media. The treated wool fabrics were heated at 80°C for 10 h to dehydrate Zn(OH)₂ obtaining ZnO. The fabric samples were then subjected to daylight for 7 days to examine the influence of nano ZnO photo reactor on the fabric properties. SEM images revealed the embedding of ZnO nanoparticles on the fabrics and X‐ray diffraction verified the nanoparticles composition. The Yellowness Index (YI) of the fabrics was measured with Color Eye XTH that has been reduced with increasing pH, Zn(CH₃COO)₂ concentration, ethanol and heating. The lower water contact angle and time of water absorption confirmed higher hydrophilic properties of the treated fabrics. Interestingly, a higher tensile strength obtained on the wool fabrics proved the interaction of ZnO with protein chains of wool, which was verified through lower alkali solubility of treated fabric with nano ZnO and confirmed more benefits of the in situ synthesis process.     

在低频振动场中注塑成型iPP试样的结构与性能研究

利用自行研制的低频振动注塑成型装置进行等规聚丙烯(iPP)试样的结构与性能研究.实验中对常规注射和振动注射成型的试样力学性能和微观形态进行了对比实验.采用低频振动注塑成型工艺实现了IPP试样的自增强,在190℃下进行注射,强度由常规试样的41.3 MPa最大提高到振动试样的48.4 MPa(振幅PA=59.4 MPa,振频FR=0.7 Hz),强度提高了17.2%;SEM显示常规试样芯层结构主要由球晶构成,振动注射使球晶在流动方向上变形、取向,晶粒尺寸得到细化;DSC表明振动注射促进熔融峰向高温漂移,晶体结晶更加完善,结晶度最大提高了12.1%;WAXD显示低频大振幅振动注塑有利于γ晶型的生成,γ晶型有利于试样实现自增强.     

Radiation‐induced graft modification of knitted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric for collagen immobilization

Radiation‐induced graft co‐polymerization of methacrylic acid and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone mixture from poly(ethylene terephthalate) knitted fabrics were conducted using a preirradiation method. The influence of the graft conditions, such as irradiation dose, reaction time, monomer concentration and temperature on the degree of grafting was determined. It was found that there is a limiting irradiation dose of 40 kGy above which the degree of grafting does not increase. An increase in the monomer concentration from 20 to 40% and an increase in temperature from 60 to 80°C gave a higher initial rate of grafting as well as higher equilibrium graft levels. The characterization of the fabric was carried out by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The grafted fabric surface, carrying negatively charged carboxylate ions, was shown to attract collagen, being positively charged to provide bioreceptive surfaces. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibacterial properties of Aloe vera gel-finished cotton fabric

In this study, cotton fabrics were finished with Aloe vera gel along with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxlic acid as a crosslinking agent using the pad-dry-cure method. The finished fabrics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The infrared spectra confirmed that the active ingredients of A. vera gel attached to the hydroxyl groups of cotton fabric via a carboxylic acid cross-linking agent. The antibacterial activity of A. vera-finished fabrics was qualitatively evaluated by the AATCC-147 method and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that A. vera gel-finished fabric has much less bacterial adhesion. The A. vera gel-finished [concentration ≥3 % (w/v)] cotton fabric inhibited the growth of both gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The mechanism of cell death by A. vera gel was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM photographs suggested that the cell death is due to the destruction of the bacterial cell wall. The finished fabric was also evaluated for its performance properties such as tensile strength, crease recovery angle, bending length, etc.