Sandra Bischof

Enhancement of Spartium junceum L. fibres properties

Properties of lignocellulosic Spartium junceum L. (SJL) fibres were investigated in order to use them as reinforcement in composite material production. The fibres were obtained by microwave maceration process and additionally modified with NaOH, nanoclay and citric acid with the aim to improve their mechanical, thermal and other physical-chemical properties. Tensile and thermal properties of these natural fibres were enhanced by the different modification treatment which is investigated by the Vibrodyn/Vibroskop method and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), whilst determination of chemical composition and fibre’s surface properties were explored using scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and elektrokinetic analyser. All the results show great improvement of nanoclay/citric acid modified SJL properties.

Analytical Assessment of the Thermal Decomposition of Cotton-Modacryl Knitted Fabrics

Fabric flammability is affected by various factors such as the fibre composition, fabric construction, FR (flame retardant) finish, oxygen concentration and environmental conditions (moisture content, heat). Inherently FR fabrics are synthetics which have been changed at the molecular level to make the fabrics thermally stable and able to pass FR tests. The thermal properties of knitted fabrics produced from cotton, modacryl and their blends were investigated in this paper. The design of FR knitted fabrics and an optimal blend ratio were evaluated by different thermoanalytical methods: the flame behaviour and thermal stability with the limited oxygen index (LOI), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), coupled thermal gravimetry – Fourier transform infrared technique (TG-FTIR) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC). Surface characterisation of the knitted fabrics designed was evaluated by the streaming potential method. Knitted fabric in the blend ratio C50:M50 proved to possess the most favourable FR characteristics, additionally confirmed by optimal hydrophilic properties evaluated through zeta potential measurement.