Muhammad Tausif

Three-Dimensional Fiber Segment Orientation Distribution Using X-Ray Microtomography

The orientation of fibers in assemblies such as nonwovens has a major influence on the anisotropy of properties of the bulk structure and is strongly influenced by the processes used to manufacture the fabric. To build a detailed understanding of a fabrics geometry and architecture it is important that fiber orientation in three dimensions is evaluated since out-of-plane orientations may also contribute to the physical properties of the fabric. In this study, a technique for measuring fiber segment orientation as proposed by Eberhardt and Clarke is implemented and experimentally studied based on analysis of X-ray computed microtomographic data. Fiber segment orientation distributions were extracted from volumetric X-ray microtomography data sets of hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics manufactured from parallel-laid, cross-laid, and air-laid webs. Spherical coordinates represented the orientation of individual fibers. Physical testing of the samples by means of zero-span tensile testing and z-directional tensile testing was employed to compare with the computed results.

Potato Starch as a Coagulant for Dye Removal from Textile Wastewater

Wastewater from textile industry contains a number of pollutants which are hazardous in nature. The direct discharge of the wastewater into the environment affects its ecological status by causing various undesirable changes. As environmental fortification becomes a global anxiety, industries are finding novel solutions for mounting low-cost and environmental-friendly technologies for the dye removal from the waste. The presence of the dyes hinders sunlight penetration and disturbs the ecosystem of water. However, the treatment of wastewater with biodegradable polymer attains a vital importance as they are environmental friendly. The main objective of the work was to make an effort to develop a feasible process for the removal of dyes/color from the textile wastewater by using potato starch, which is a plant-based bio-polymer. A three-level, full-factorial design was selected, and experiments were conducted using a jar test apparatus. The main effects and interactions of dosage, pH, and temperature on the percentage color removal were analyzed. Reduction in color was analyzed using UV-2800 spectrophotometer. A three-way significant interaction was observed. However, dosage is found to be the most important parameter for dye removal using potato starch.

Inclusion of recycled PPTA fibre in development of cut-resistant gloves

PPTA is a high-performance fibre with premium mechanical and heat-resistant properties. This study focused on developing cut-resistant gloves from recycled PPTA fibre. The cut resistance of knitted glove, from virgin and recycled PPTA fibre yarn with/without steel core, was evaluated to determine the performance of the glove. The fibre and yarn parameters were studied to understand the underlying factors which aided in premium cut-resistant properties of gloves manufactured from recycled fibres – higher than that of gloves manufactured from virgin PPTA fibres.

Influence of hydroentangling variables on the properties of bi-layer polyethylene terephthalate–glass fabrics

Two webs, the first containing 100% polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the second 80% glass/20% PET, were integrated by hydroentangling to produce a coherent bi-layer fabric. A full-factorial experimental study at two levels was conducted to determine the influence of four hydroentangling variables (water pressure, conveyor speed, nozzle diameter and number of injectors) on the dimensional and mechanical properties of the fabrics. Each variable was known to contribute to the specific energy. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance to determine the main effects and interactions. In terms of fabric tensile strength, a significant interaction was found between the conveyor speed and nozzle diameter and also between the water jet pressure and the number of injectors. Statistical analysis enabled the levels of each variable to be selected to minimize the specific energy consumption, as it was found that fabrics produced using the same specific energy can exhibit significantly different properties. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray microtomography confirmed the migration of fiber segments between the two web layers and revealed the nature of fiber interactions in the interface.

Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites

Reinforcement of flexible fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites with standard textile fibres is a potential low cost solution to less critical loading applications. The mechanical behaviour of FRPs based on mechanically bonded nonwoven preforms composed of either low or high modulus fibres in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix were compared following compression moulding. Nonwoven preform fibre compositions were selected from lyocell, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) as well as para-aramid fibres (polyphenylene terephthalamide; PPTA). Reinforcement with standard fibres manifold improved the tensile modulus and strength of the reinforced composites and the relationship between fibre, fabric and composite’s mechanical properties was studied. The linear density of fibres and the punch density, a key process variable used to consolidate the nonwoven preform, were varied to study the influence on resulting FRP mechanical properties. In summary, increasing the strength and degree of consolidation of nonwoven preforms did not translate to an increase in the strength of resulting fibre reinforced TPU-composites. The TPU composite strength was mainly dependent upon constituent fibre stress-strain behaviour and fibre segment orientation distribution.

Effect of filler type and composition on the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of PS/SBR vulcanizate

Abstract Dynamic vulcanization is an eminent industrial process to enhance the physical, thermal, and rheological properties of polymer composites. The present experimental study comprised the formation of polystyrene (PS) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites using three different types of fillers, namely, kaolin, talc, and rice husk powder (RHP), whereas dicumylperoxide was added as a cross-linking agent. Further, the filler loading was varied from 0 to 20 parts per hundred of resin (phr) for all types (i.e. RHP). The mechanical (i.e. tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength), thermal (i.e. melting point and softening point index), and dynamic mechanical properties of each composite were measured and compared with each other. The results indicate that kaolin-based vulcanizate showed better mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties compared to that of talc and RHP vulcanizate. Furthermore, it can be observed that the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of PS/SBR vulcanizates are the function of filler loadings for all three types of fillers (i.e. kaolin, talc, and RHP). In addition, high-temperature storage properties (i.e. loss modulus and storage modulus) were also investigated for better design and material optimization. The study may be helpful to the tribological applications in material selection and design.

Mechanical and comfort properties of hydroentangled nonwovens from comber noil

Cotton is one of the most important commodity fibres and is widely employed in apparels. At present, the share of natural fibres in production of nonwoven fabrics is low and are used in opt applications. The cotton fibre is conventionally converted into woven and knitted fabrics by short staple spinning methods. The comber noil is short fibre waste produced when cotton yarns are combed. The aims of the current study were to employ comber noil for the preparation of hydroentangled cotton nonwovens at varying water jet pressures and conveyor speeds. The effect of these parameters was studied with respect to mechanical and comfort properties of the prepared fabrics. The results showed that these variables can help to manufacture fibrous assemblies with engineered properties, according to required application area.

Yarn and thread manufacturing methods for high-performance apparel

Abstract Yarns can be interlaced, interlooped, or intertwined to produce a range of textile products. The manufacturing of yarns involves the conversion of staple fibers and/or filaments into linear fibrous assemblies. Ring spinning is the most common method of producing staple yarn and is the quality benchmark for alternative staple spinning methods. Continuous multifilament yarns are texturized for apparel applications. High-performance apparel applications can employ engineered commodity fibers or high-performance fibers/filaments to produce required yarn assemblies. In some instances, the commodity fibers/filaments can be used in a specialist yarn structure to meet high-performance needs. The use of multiple fine yarns to produce sewing thread is critical to produce a high-performance garment. The chapter aims to provide a holistic overview of yarn and thread manufacturing methods.

Hydroentangled Polymer-Glass Bi-Layer Fibrous Composites

Hydroentangling (bonding of fabrics by means of high velocity water jets), is utilised to entangle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass fibre layers which are industrially applied as high performance carriers for bitumen roofing products. Conventionally, a resin post-treatment is frequently applied to strengthen pre-entangled PET/glass fabrics whereas in the current study promising mechanical properties were obtained without the need for resin treatment. Non-destructive characterisation using x-ray microtomography reveals the transverse structure of these mechanically bonded fabrics. Normal procedures for measuring delamination cannot be applied to the evaluation of hydroentangled fibrous composites.