Aina Bernava

Studies on the Properties of Raw Flax and Hemp Fibres after Two Step Initial Treatment

The requirements regarding the properties of fibres are closely linked to their further application. The demands for garment and home textile considerably differ from requirements for fibres that are used for technical purposes. This paper presents the results on investigation of raw flax and hemp fibres after their initial treatment with two step method (cold or hot alkaline, enzyme treatment and bleaching as after-treatment). The properties of hemp and flax fibres are evaluated by colorimetric analysis, mechanical testing, and microscopy of the surface of fibres.

The Properties of Mesh Reinforced Nonwoven Composites

To create the heat-bonded geotextile with desirable properties, the mix of fibres (hemp, recycled polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene fibres) for nonwoven webs formation and additional polypropylene reinforcing mesh are used. The results of the study on the influence of the reinforcing mesh on the properties of nonwoven composites (NWCs) are presented. Mechanical properties, water penetration and air permeability of the thermoplastic mesh reinforced NWCs depend on the hemp fibre pre-treatment time, mass per unit area and thickness of the used web and location of the reinforcing mesh. Obtained results allow concluding that mechanical as well as water penetration characteristics of the produced heat-bonded geotextiles are higher, while air permeability is comparable to the properties of the commercial prototype.

The Nonwovens Properties Made from Hybrid Fibres

The varieties of using nonwovens (NW) increases. The results of study about the influence of hybrid fibres content and technological parameters of production on properties of NW made from webs of two contents of hemp, recycled polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene fibres, produced in two temperature and pressure conditions are presented. It is concluded that NW surface parameters and mechanical properties can be purposefully influenced with webs composition and production technology of NW. Produced NW are applicable, where lightweight and water permeable materials are necessary.

Coatings with Reduced Flammability for Linen Fabrics

The aim of this research is the investigation of burning characteristics and abrasion resistance of the Latvian local raw and bleached linen fabrics and the same fabrics with continuous anti flammable coating, containing commercial printing paste Printperfect EX-TS, pigment Bezaprint GELB (both of the producer CHT BEZEMA) and antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) as the flame-retardant additive. For the coating of the linen fabrics the flat screen method was used. After the coating 5 washing cycles were applied to the half of the fabrics. The burning test of the raw and the bleached linen fabrics and those coated with commercial printing paste and antimony trioxide, as well as the washed fabrics was accomplished. The results of the test shove, that the raw and the bleached linen fabrics burn completely. The flame extinction was observed for coated fabrics and coated washed fabrics. The abrasion resistance of coated fabrics depends on thickness of coating.