Hye-Ja Lee

Fabric Dyeing with Lichen Parmotrema austrosinence and Improvement of Dyeability by Chitosan Treatment

Three fabrics, 100% silk, nylon and cotton each, were dyed with a lichen dye solution prepared by a fermentation method under conditions of varying dyebath pH and temperature. To verify the effect of chitosan on fabric dyeing, the 100% cotton fabric was treated with a chitosan solution before dyeing. The K/S, CIE , , , and Munsell values of the dyed samples were measured. Colorfastness of each sample was also investigated. The maximum K/S value was measured at 520nm wavelength for the dyed silk fabric and at 480nm for the dyed cotton and nylon. The K/S values for the dyed silk fabric were much greater than those of the other fabrics. The dyed silk fabric showed a red tone on the Munsell color system, and the dyed nylon and cotton fabrics a yellowish red tone. Dye affinity to fabrics was better in a neutral or acidic dyebath. As dyeing temperature increased, K/S values increased for the dyed nylon and cotton fabrics but not for the silk. Dyeability of cotton fabrics could improve by Chitosan treatment. As for most natural dyes, colorfastness of all dyed samples was poor. The silk fabric showed an excellent dry cleaning fastness of Grade 5.

The Properties of Kenaf/Polyester Blended Nonwovens

Nonwovens have been widely used in various regions from the households to the industrial, agricultural and medical goods. Synthetic fibers have been used for source of nonwovens commonly because of their useful and economic properties. They are not only main factor causing environmental problems but also spend huge cost to renew the environmental disruption by them. Nonwovens must have both cost-competitiveness and environment-friendly property to be the desirable sources in 21th centuries. For meet these needs, it is suitable for the times that economical and environmentally-safe kenaf fibers would be used as raw materials of nonwovens. Kenaf and polyester fibers were blended in 4 types of ratio : 0/100, 20/80, 40/60, 60/40 were needle-punched. The nonwovens properties such as color values, surface appearance, strength, elongations, stiffness, moisture regain, water and oil absorbency, and electrification were tested. As the results, tensile and tear strengths, water and oil absorbency were maximum at 20/80 kenaf/polyester blend nonwoven, because of effecting by nonwoven structure and fiber properties. The moisture regain were increased according to kenaf were blended and the eletrification reduced in proportion to the kenaf fibers by chemical property of fiber composed nonwovens.

Characteristics of Kenaf Fibers Treated by Alkali

Kenaf fiber can be obtained by decortications of the kenaf plant stem. The properties of the kenaf fiber treated by alkali (NaOH) were investigated by spectrocolorimeter, SEM, X-ray diffractometer, FT-IR and TGA. The kenaf fibers treated by alkali became darker and their Munsell color values changed from Y (yellow) to YR (yellowred) according to an increased NaOH concentration. SEM observation of the kenaf fibers showed that their crimps were developed and their surfaces were cleaned by the removal of protruding ends and impurities after alkali treatments. In the x-ray diffraction analysis, the structures of the fibers were found in the form of cellulose I when treated with a 0-16% alkali concentration and cellulose II when treated with over 20%. It was also confirmed that the crystallinity was lowered according to an increased NaOH concentration. The change of fiber compositions was investigated in FT-IR analysis. Strong band of and asymmetrical stretching strong bands of in spectrum (which represent pectin) were not found in the samples because the pectin was removed by the alkali treatment. Weak bands of and peaks of (which represent hemicellulose) and peaks of , , and (which are related to lignin) were not found or reduced in the samples treated with a concentration over 20%. TGA indicated that the kenaf fiber had the better hydrophilic properties by alkali treatment. The higher Tmax in TGA and the higher thermal stability when treated by alkali with the higher concentration. The fibers treated with an alkali concentration over 30% did not show any changes in Tmax.

The Properties of Plant Fiber and Polyester Blended Nonwoven Fabrics

Nonwoven fabrics have been widely used in various fields that include household, industrial, agricultural, medical goods, especially in the automobile industry. In this study, eco-friendly fiber materials were developed and investigated as a substitute material for polyester fibers in nonwovens. To make plant fiber bundles, stems of Indian mallow (IM), and Kuzu vine (KV) were retted; in addition, the non-cellulose component was partially removed. Plant fiber bundles and polyester fibers (P) were blended and needle punched to produce nonwovens. Five kinds of nonwovens were manufactured: P100 (Polyester 100%), IM10 (IM 10% and Polyester 90%), IM20 (IM 20% and Polyester 80%), KV10 (KV 10% and Polyester 90%), and KV20 (KV 20% and Polyester 80%). The color values, surface appearance, tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, abrasion strength, flexstiffness, moisture regain, water or oil absorbency, and static electricity of manufactured nonwovens are investigated. As the blended ratios of IM or KV increased, the brightness of nonwovens decreased compared to that of polyester 100%. Tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion strength, and flexstiffness of IM10 as well as KV10 were higher than those of P100, IM20, and KV20, resulting from the influence of the structure and properties of nonwoven fibers. Moisture regain and water or oil absorbency increased, while static electricity decreased in proportion to the amount of plant fibers. IM or KV and polyester blended nonwovens showed improved properties over P100 that could be substituted for P100 as a novel material for textiles.

Dyeing Properties Resin Treatment Effects of the Lyocell Fabrics

The effects of resin finish and dyeabilities of four kinds of Iyocell fabrics that were manufactured by four kinds of pulps were investigated. The dyeabilities of Iyocell fabrics were similar, but differed from cotton fabric. In early stage of 30 minutes, cotton fabric was shown higher dye exhaustion ratio than Iyocell fabrics, however after then cotton fabric did not increase dye exhaustion, Iyocell fabrics increased continuously. At last, the dye exhaustion ratio of Iyocell fabrics were about 75% and that of cotton fabric was 65%. Two kinds of experimental procedures were applied for Iyocell fabrics. One was what the fabrics were treated with resins and washed with cellulase, and then dyed with reactive dyes. The other procedure was the fabrics were dyed with reactive dyes, and then applied the resin treatments and cellulase washing. After fibrillation and washing the undyed Iyocell fabric and the Iyocell fabric that was dyed with C.I.Reactive Red 120, their weight loss ratios were 3.5% and 2.8%, respectively. Dyeing with reactive dyes caused the crosslinking between cellulose and dyes and the crosslinking decreased fibrillation. The weight loss by enzyme washing of Iyocell fabrics decreased by the glyoxal and melamine resin treatments. The reduction of weight loss can be caused by fibrillation decrease. Dyeing and resin treating can be showed the synergic effect on the reduction of fibrillation. The effect of glyoxal resin on the reduction of fibrillation was a little better than that of melamine resin.

Effect of K 2 CO 3 Retting on the Kenaf Fiber

This research was aimed to investigate the effect of instead of NaOH on retting of the kenaf bast. We examined the relationship between separation of fiber bundle and tensile strength besides observing the color, handle and cross sectional view for the kenaf fiber retted with various concentration(100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000mmol) of and double retted with 0.5% pectinase after retting. The one retted on low concentration, , showed the best result on color, handle and luster. The separation of fiber bundle started even at the low concentration, 100mmol, and as the concentration was higher, the size of the fiber bundle was smaller. In the case of 1000mmol, the fiber bundle became irregular, but they were breaking up into certain way. Regardless of concentration, the thinner the diameters of the kenaf fiber bundle, the stronger tensile strength have appeared. This result corresponds with the result of cross sectional view. Retting on concentration was most effective on fiber bundle#s separation and tensile strength. The one with double retted with 0.5% pectinase after retting showed very small size of fiber bundle and low tensile strength compare to the one just retted on . This decrease of tensile strength seem to be related to damage of the fiber resulted by excessive fibrillation.

The Prodoction of Kenaf Hand-Made Paper

Hanji, the korean traditional papers were mostly made from mulberry paper. But the production and demand of hanji have decreased rapidly because mulberry paper yields were insufficient and handworked hanji procedures were complicated. Recently, the researches on hanji were carried out to improve the properties of hanji. Kenaf fibers have been interested as a substitute resource of mulberry paper for hanji production. In this research, Kenai pulps were manufactured with removal methods of lignin or hemicellulose from kenaf fibers and paper mulberry pulps with traditional alkali methods. Kenaf papers, paper mulberry, and kenaf/paper mulberry mixed papers were manufactured with their pulps. The crystallinity, fiber length, color of the pulps and tensile strength, tear strength, water absorption of the papers were investigated. The results were as follow: The removal rates of lignin of chemical retted kenaf fibers with sodium chlorite reaction for 40 minutes were 70% and were higher than 40% of double retted fibers. Paper mulberry pulps has less lignin and hemicellulose than kenaf differently. The crystallinity of paper mulberry pulps were very low with 60%, but kenaf pulps were 90%. The chemical retted CR-40-1 pulps were similar with paper mulberry pulps on fiber length & fibrilation of fibers. Tensile strength of paper mulberry were higher than kenaf papers because of fibrilation of paper mulberry, but tear strength were lower. Tensile strength and tear strength were improved on kenaf/paper mulberry 30/70 mixed papers.

Washing Treatment Effects on Cotton and Kenaf Blend Fabrics

Kenaf has a rigid and rough touch that inhibits the use of it as a textile material; therefore, this study developed a novel textile material using kenaf. Kenaf and cotton were blended in the ratio of 3:7 and manufactured as 20` spun yarn that was compared to 20`s spun yarn made of 100% cotton. Both kenaf/cotton-blended and 100% cotton spun yarn were constructed as plain woven and knitted fabrics. Four kinds of fabrics were prepared as follows. Plain kenaf/cotton-woven fabrics, plain cotton-woven fabrics, kenaf/cotton jersey, and cotton jersey. A cellulase washing process was carried out to reduce the character of kenaf/cotton-blended fabrics, rigid, and rough touch. All fabrics were pretreated with NaOH. NaOH at the concentrations of 0, 0.25, 1.25, and 2.25mol/L, and cellulase at concentrations of 0, 1, 3 and 5g/L were used since the pretreatment of NaOH has a higher efficiency of weight loss than and Triton X-100. The ratio of weight loss, tensile strength, stiffness, drape property, and surface appearance were measured in order to evaluate the efficiency of the washing treatment on fabrics. Kenaf/cotton-blended fabrics exhibited more rigid and rough features than cotton fabrics. A cotton jersey showed significant differences in the degree of stiffness and drape properties. When all fabrics were treated with 1.25mol/L of NaOH and 3g/L of cellulase, kenaf/cotton-blended fabrics showed a higher retention ratio of tensile strength than cotton fabrics after washing despite the increased weight l08s of kenaf-blended fabrics compared to cotton fabrics. The ratio of weight loss for all fabrics was well correlated with flexibility. The washing treatment process made woven fabrics more flexible than knitted fabrics, because the stiffness of woven fabrics made the rubbing actions stronger. Kenaf/cotton-blended fabrics showed a significantly higher ratio of weight loss and more reduction in stiffness than cotton fabrics after the washing treatment. This might be due to the lack of cohesiveness and easy elimination from fabrics. The drape property of kenaf-blended fabrics was superior to cotton fabrics.

Characteristics of the Leaf Fiber Plants Cultivated in Korea

【Leaf fibers have many good properties; they are strong, long, cheap, abundant and bio-degradable. Since they, however, contain a great quantity of non-cellulose components, they have been used for the materials of mats, ropes, bags and nets rather than those of clothing. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of leaf fibers in order to promote the use of leaf fibers for the materials of clothing as well as develop the high value-added textile fibers. Leaf fiber plants including New Zealand Flax, Henequen and Banana plant, which have various nature and shape, were used. New Zealand Flax and Henequen leaves were cut from lower part of plants. Banana leaves and pseudo-stems were peeled and cut from the stem of Banana plants. First, the thin outer skins like film of leaves, veins and stems were removed before retting. The chemical retting had been processed for 1hour, at 100 in 0.4%

The Properties and Production of Hand-Made Paper Made from Various Plant Fibers

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