Nigar Merdan

Properties of Polypropylene Composite Produced with Silk and Cotton Fiber Waste as Reinforcement

The importance of polymer composites among industrial materials is due to their improved mechanical properties. In recent researches, mechanical and physical properties have been improved by way of making composites with fiber reinforcement. Silk and cotton fibers used in the textile industry have good physical and mechanical properties. In this study, composite structures were produced by using recycled Poly Propylene, PP, polymer with silk and cotton waste as fiber reinforcement in different ratios. The fiber dimensions of silk and cotton wastes were between 1 mm, 2.5 mm, and 5 mm. They were mixed in the ratios of PP/silk and cotton waste 97%/3 and 94%/6. The mixture of polymer composite was prepared with double screw extruder. The sample was tested for tensile strength, elongation, yield strength, elasticity modulus, izod impact strength, melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and vicat softening temperature. Thermal transitions of the materials were determined with Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and micro-structure properties were observed with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Research into the specifications of woven composites obtained from raffia fibers pretreated using the ecological method

Studies on using cellulosic natural fibers as reinforcement for composites are rapidly growing. The aim of this study is using a raffia-based woven fabric as reinforcement for composites that are grown in the Mediterranean Zone of Turkey. These fabrics benefit from their mechanical performances, low density and their biodegradability. However, it is necessary for the fabrics to form adhesion in the matrix. Therefore, chemical processes should be applied onto the surface of the raffia-based woven fabrics. In this study, three different formulations (different concentrations of maleic anhydride, formic acid and acetic acid) were applied by using conventional and microwave energy on the raffia fabrics. At the end of the application, composite structures were formed by using the fabric as the reinforcement layer and isophtalic polyester as the matrix by the vacuum infusion method. The composite structures were characterized by attenuated total reflectance scanning electron microscope analysis and their mechanical tests were performed through tensile testing. Considering all results, the combination of acetic acid with the microwave process was found to modify the raffia fabric surfaces.

Eco-friendly Production Methods in Textile Wet Processes

Sustainable’, ‘economical’, and ‘eco-friendly’ production has recently become important issues in textile manufacturing processes. In the world, textile conventional production industry is one of the major industries which cause environmental pollutions. During textile wet process, great deals of wastes are leaved in air, soil and, especially water. Due to these wastes, all species in the ecosystem are negatively affected. In order to manufacture a ton of textile, approximately 230–270 tons water is used. After the textile production, the water is undertaken with heavy chemicals and this waste water is leaved in environment. In textile production industry, there are two efficient methods to decrease the environmental pollution. Constructed of large and highly effective effluent treatment plants is a method to reduce the amount of wastes. The other method is the use of natural raw materials and ecological production methods. Recently, researchers have been seeking for ecological, sustainable, and biodegradable natural raw materials alternatively synthetic raw materials. Especially, natural textile raw materials have been begun to use acceleratingly in compration with synthetic raw materials in textile industry. Furthermore, new natural fibers have been obtained from different source and the use of these fibers has searched in textile industry. In textile wet process, especially, waste water with heavy chemicals load is a major problem. In order to eliminate the negative effect of waste water, researchers have been searching for solutions. In literature, coating, microencapsulation, plasma applications, using of ultrasonic and microwave energy, using of supercritical carbon dioxide and ozone treatment are described as some of the eco-friendly process in textile wet industry. In this study, some eco-friendly production methods in textile wet industry were investigated, separately. Furthermore, the advantages of new production methods were searched.

Fiber Extraction from Okra Plant Agricultural Wastes, Their Characterizations and Surface Modifications by Environmental Methods

Scientists have been searching for biodegradable natural materials that can be used in place of synthetic materials that have not been biodegradable for a long time. Especially in automotive, space, furniture, construction, medical and packaging industries, synthetic composite materials are used abundantly. For this reason, interest in biodegradable biocomposites is increasing. In recent years, many stem fibers such as flax, hemp, kenaf and jute have been started to be used as an alternative to reinforcing fibers traditionally used in composite materials. In fact, researches have begun to focus on the assessment of agricultural plant stem wastes in fiber extraction because of their sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, renewable and economical properties. Stem waste fibers can show different characteristics according to the plant from which they are obtained. Okra is an agricultural plant that is easy and effortless to cultivate because of its drought-resistant nature and low water requirements. The okra fibers are obtained from the stem wastes of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus) remaining on the fields after harvest. The okra fibers have a low ratio of lignin (7.1%), which causes yellowing and photochemical degradation, and have high molecular weight. For this reason, properties such as color fastness and strength are good. The physical and chemical properties of the okra fibers, which have a high cellulose content (67.5%), resemble other traditional body fibers. In terms of usability in the production of composites, cellulose is the most important content in natural fibers. The higher the cellulosic ratio, the stronger the fiber, and so the more suitable to use it as a reinforcement. Recent studies have shown that the mechanical strength and modulus of okra fibers are good and that they have the potential to be used as a reinforcing element in polymer matrix composites. Okra fibers can be modified by environmentally friendly chemical surface modifications, besides improving their mechanical properties such as strength, these treatments increase their absorbency in subsequent processing by providing surface roughness.

Ecological and Sustainable Natural Dyes

Since prehistoric times, natural dyes have been used to color of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk as well as fur and leather. The use of natural dyes declined with the discovery of synthetic dyes in 1856. However, the increase in environmental consciousness created an upsurge in the interest in natural dyes. Nowadays, the use of natural dyes becomes common in food, cosmetic, pharmacology, and textile industry. In this study, natural dyes are investigated in all respects such as history, origin, chemical structure, advantages, and limitations. Furthermore, in natural dyeing, the innovative technologies are researched.

Investigation of the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of isotactic polypropylene/linear low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate polymer blends and their fibers

In order to improve the functionality of certain defective characteristics of polypropylene polymer and fiber, their blends are analyzed physically and chemically both in the industry and the academia. There are fibers obtained from two different polymer blends and additive-added fibers in the polypropylene fiber industry. The aim of this study is to obtain polymer blends and their fibers, which consist of isotactic polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene. In order to improve the blending of isotactic polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate was added in the blend at different concentration such as 1, 5, 10, and 15% by using a twin-screw extruder. Polymer blends and their fibers were produced from the blends with different ratios of blending. Besides, the mechanical properties including strength, elongation, modulus of elasticity, yield of strength, Izod impact strength, hardness, thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry and melt flow index), and morphological properties (scanning electron microscopy) of polymer blends and their fibers were investigated.

21 – The use of Luffa cylindrica fibres as reinforcements in composites

: This chapter discusses the use of Luffa cylindrica fibres. Areas covered include the properties and surface treatment of fibres, applications and performance as a reinforcement material in composites and nanocomposites incorporating Luffa cylindrica fibres.

New Approach To Produce Absorbent Pads For New End Uses

ABSTRACT The use of hygiene pads is increasing rapidly. They are used for babys diapers, sanitary products and incontinence pads for the elderly etc. But the use of pads with a dual mission of healing and protecting by absorbing the discharged liquid whilst releasing healing cream or chemical to the infected area without mixing the discharged liquid with the healing chemical is a relatively new one. In this study a new novel approach has been tested in the care for wounds, haemorrhoids etc.