Sheraz Ahmad

Fabrication of ZnO incorporated chitosan nanocomposites for enhanced functional properties of cellulosic fabric

This study concerns the fabrication of chitosan/zinc oxide nano-composites (CZNCs) by using a facile preparation method. The optical, structural and morphological features of nano-composites were investigated by using advanced analytical techniques. The developed CZNCs were coated on to woven cotton fabric by using the pad-dry-cure method. The coated fabric specimens were characterized for surface, functional and textile properties including antibacterial activity and (ultra violet) UV-blocking. The spectral and optical properties demonstrated that the nano-composites developed exhibited hexagonal structural pattern with an average particle size of about 50 nm. The resulting nano-composites were characterized by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive x-ray, dynamic light scattering technique and so forth. The incorporated concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles affected both crystallite size and crystallinity of the nano-composites. The nano-composite coated cotton fabric exhibited durable antibacterial, UV-blocking and textile properties with a fair whiteness index.

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.

Development of seersucker knitted fabric for better comfort properties and aesthetic appearance

Seersucker is a thin puckered woven fabric in which some threads bunched together, giving a wrinkled appearance in place. Conventionally seersucker fabric is produced on weaving machines with some special warp tensioning devices. The aim of this work was to develop knitted seersucker fabric on single cylinder weft knitting machine using plain jersey structure. Core spun cotton yarn and cotton plain yarn of same linear density were fed at regular intervals to the feeders on the machine. The produced sample has a regular puckering stripe along the width of the fabric with same height. Air permeability and moisture management tests of wet processed samples were performed. The results indicated that the knitted seersucker fabric has good comfort properties as well as better aesthetic appearance.

Geometrical model to calculate the consumption of sewing thread for 301 lockstitch

Sewing thread is one of the most basic yet important components of a garment. Thread consumption for the lockstitch (Class 301) can be calculated by using its geometrical shape. This paper aims to develop a geometrical model to calculate the thread consumption for lockstitch (Class 301). Based on the basic geometry of lockstitch, a model has been proposed. The model is derived mathematically taking into account different variables: stitch length, stitch density, material thickness, and interlacing. Finally, the model was verified for 19 samples by comparing actual thread consumption with predicted thread consumption. The proposed model predicts the thread consumption with 97% accuracy. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to determine the significant influencing factor affecting the thread consumption. The proposed model can predict the thread consumption precisely for 301 lockstitch. Therefore, this model is useful for the apparel industry.

Electrical conductivity and physiological comfort of silver coated cotton fabrics

Abstract The objective of present study was to develop multifunctional and wearable electrically conductive fabrics with acceptable comfort properties by in-situ deposition of silver particles. The effect of silver nitrate concentration and number of dips was investigated for change in electrical conductivity, EMI shielding, and antimicrobial properties of coated fabrics. The dynamic light scattering and SEM analysis were employed to study the morphology of deposited silver particles. The EMI shielding was found to increase with increase in concentration of silver particles. Later, the comfort and mechanical properties were studied. No significant decrease in air permeability and water vapor permeability was observed due to partial coverage of fabric pores by coating of silver particles. Moreover, the coated fabrics also showed promising behavior toward antimicrobial properties. When the durability of coated fabrics was examined against washing, the application of binder provided good retention of silver particles without loss of electrical conductivity of coated fabrics.

Influence of Fabric Parameters on Thermal Comfort Performance of Double Layer Knitted Interlock Fabrics

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of various fabric parameters on the thermal resistance, thermal conductivity, thermal transmittance, thermal absorptivity and thermal insulation of polyester/cotton double layer knitted interlock fabrics. It was found that by increasing fibre content with higher specific heat increases the thermal insulation while decreases the thermal transmittance and absorptivity of the fabric. It was concluded that double layer knitted fabrics developed with higher specific heat fibres, coarser yarn linear densities, higher knitting loop length and fabric thickness could be adequately used for winter clothing purposes.

Effect of Weave Structure on Thermo-Physiological Properties of Cotton Fabrics

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the relationship between fabric weave structure and its comfort properties. The two basic weave structures and four derivatives for each selected weave structure were studied. Comfort properties, porosity, air permeability and thermal resistance of all the fabric samples were determined. In our research the 1/1 plain weave structure showed the highest thermal resistance making it suitable for cold climatic conditions. The 2/2 matt weave depicted the lowest thermal resistance which makes it appropriate for hot climatic conditions.

A Statistical Approach for Obtaining the Controlled Woven Fabric Width

Abstract A common problem faced in fabric manufacturing is the production of inconsistent fabric width on shuttleless looms in spite of the same fabric specifications. Weft-wise crimp controls the fabric width and it depends on a number of factors, including warp tension, temple type, fabric take-up pressing tension and loom working width. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of these parameters on the fabric width produced. Taguchi’s orthogonal design was used to optimise the weaving parameters for obtaining controlled fabric width. On the basis of signal to noise ratios, it could be concluded that controlled fabric width could be produced using medium temple type and intense take-up pressing tension at relatively lower warp tension and smaller loom working width. The analysis of variance revealed that temple needle size was the most significant factor affecting the fabric width, followed by loom working width and warp tension, whereas take-up pressing tension was least significant of all the factors investigated in the study.

Investigation and modeling of air permeability of Cotton/Polyester blended double layer interlock knitted fabrics

The aim of this study was to analyze and model the effect of knitting parameters on the air permeability of Cotton/Polyester double layer interlock knitted fabrics. Fabric samples of areal densities ranging from 315–488 g/m2 were knitted using yarns of three different cotton/polyester blends, each of two different linear densities by systematically varying knitting loop lengths for achieving different cover factors. It was found that by changing the polyester content in the inner and outer fabric layer from 52 to 65 % in the double layer knitted fabric did not have statistically significant effect on the fabric air permeability. Air permeability sharply increased with increase in knitting loop length owing to decrease in fabric areal density. Decrease in yarn linear density (tex) resulted in increase in air permeability due to decrease in areal density as well as the fabric thickness. It was concluded that response surface regression modeling could adequately model the effect of knitting parameters on the double layer knitted fabric air permeability. The model was validated by unseen data set and it was found that the actual and predicted values were in good agreement with each other with less than 10 % absolute error. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to find out the relative contribution of each input parameter on the air permeability of the double layer interlock knitted fabrics.

Development of multifunctional different cross-sectional shaped coaxial composite filaments for SMART textile applications

The aim of this study is to design a spinneret that can be used efficiently for the manufacturing of coaxial composite filaments. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) was used as resin matrix with 99.9% pure copper filament as the core. The characterization of the polymer was done to determine polymer thermal and rheological properties. Multi-shaped coaxial composite filaments were obtained after successful laboratory-scale melt extrusion machine modification and spinneret development. The cross-sectional surface and shape were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope. Coaxial filaments having the cross-section including elliptical, triangular, rectangular and circular shapes were developed. The characterization of spinneret design and coaxial composite filaments were also reported. The effect of spinneret design parameters on the cross-sectional shape of the filament were analyzed.