Veerakumar Arumugam

In-plane shear behavior of 3D spacer knitted fabrics

The shear behavior of 3D spacer knitted fabrics was investigated by using a picture frame fixture. Three different methods were used to find the shear angle during loading rate of 10 mm/min. All the tests were recorded by a CCD monochrome camera. The images acquired during loading process were used for analysis in order to obtain the full-field displacement and shear angles at chosen points on the surface of test specimen. An experimental and analytical investigation of picture frame shear fixture was conducted to determine its suitability for measuring intra-ply shear properties of 3D knitted spacer fabrics. In this work, a fixture was designed to analyze the in-plane shear behavior of these fabrics. The nonlinear behavior of shear force versus shear angle and the deformation mechanism were analyzed. The curves for shear force versus shear angle and position of buckling for in-plane shear test are recorded by considering two different frame lengths in order to compare with each other. Load–displacement curves of intra-ply shear tests are also analyzed. In addition to this, a program was developed in MATLAB using Hough transform to analyze the shear angle in the real-time image taken during displacement of specimen at various positions. The results of image analysis were compared with the actual experimental results. These findings are important requirements for further improvements in designing of picture frame fixture and to study the in-plane shear properties of 3D fabrics.

Thermo-acoustic behaviour of 3D knitted spacer fabrics

Nowadays, the utilization of 3-Dimensional (3D) porous textile materials by the civil and mechanical engineers for improved thermo-acoustic environment has widened the research scope. Since spacer textile fabrics have superior thermal and acoustic characteristics compared to conventional woven/knitted structures or nonwovens due to their wonderful 3D sandwich pattern and porous nature. Hence this research paper presents an experimental investigation on the sound absorption behavior and thermal properties of 3D knitted spacer fabrics. The Sound absorption coefficient (SAC) and thermal conductivity (K) were measured using two microphone impedance tube and thermal conductivity analyzer (TCi). Moreover, tortuosity of the spacer fabrics was carefully calculated analytically and compared with experimental results. This study deeply discusses the influence of material parameters and characteristics on acoustic properties of 3D spacer knitted fabrics. The results show that the fabric surface property, porosity, flow resistivity and tortuosity have significant effects on the sound absorbability as well as thermal conductivity. Finally the paper describes regression equations and correlation between Noise reduction coefficient (NRC) and Thermal conductivity (K) for this knitted spacer fabrics. The equation is useful to determine NRC value by knowing the K-value and vice versa for designing the material for various applications.

The production, characterization and applications of nanoparticles in the textile industry

Nanosized particles can exhibit unexpected properties different from those of the original bulk material. The basic premise is that properties can dramatically change when a substances size is reduced to the nanometre range. The applications of nanoparticles, e.g. carbon black or some finishing agents in the textile industry, have a long tradition but are in fact not part of nanotechnology. A typical feature of nanotechnology in textiles is to use nanoparticles with some systematic arrangements. In this manuscript, the main features of nanotechnology are summarized. A core part is devoted to the description of the nanoparticle behaviour arising from their small dimensions. The problem of nanoparticle stabilization is denoted. Selected applications of nanoparticles in the textile field are reviewed.

Investigation on thermo-physiological and compression characteristics of weft-knitted 3D spacer fabrics

Abstract The thermo-physiological comfort and compression properties of knitted spacer fabrics have been evaluated by varying the different spacer fabric parameters. Air permeability and water vapor transmission of the fabrics were measured using the Textest FX-3300 air permeability tester and PERMETEST. Thermal behavior of fabrics was evaluated by (TCi) thermal conductivity analyzer and overall moisture management capacity was evaluated by moisture management tester. Spacer fabrics compression properties were also tested using KES-FB3. In the KES testing, the compression resilience, work of compression, linearity of compression, and other parameters were calculated from the pressure–thickness curves. Analysis of variance was performed using new statistical software named QC expert trylobite and Darwin in order to compare the influence of different fabric parameters on thermo-physiological and compression behavior of samples. This study established that the raw materials, type of spacer yarn, density, thickness, and tightness of surface layer have significant influence on both thermal conductivity and work of compression in spacer fabrics. The parameter which mainly influences the water vapor permeability of these fabrics is the property of raw material i.e. the wetting and wicking properties of fibers. The Pearson correlation between moisture capacity of the fabrics and water vapor permeability was found.

Thermal and water vapor transmission through porous warp knitted 3D spacer fabrics for car upholstery applications

Abstract This paper deals with water vapor transmission and thermal properties of various warp knitted spacer fabrics. In this work, thermal and water vapor permeability of different spacer fabrics have been evaluated by varying the structure, areal density, thickness, type of raw materials, etc. The air permeability and water vapor transmission of the fabrics were measured using the Textest FX-3300 air permeability tester and PERMETEST. The thermal behavior of fabrics was evaluated by Alambeta instrument. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed using new statistical software in order to compare the influence of different fabric parameters on thermo-physiological behavior of samples. This study established that the raw materials, type of spacer yarn, density, thickness, and tightness of surface layer have significant influence on thermal conductivity in spacer fabrics. The parameters which mainly influence the water vapor permeability of these fabrics are porosity, density, and thickness. The empirical model for thermal conductivity calculation shows very high accuracy when compared with experimental results. The statistical model for spacer fabrics also predicts the thermo-physiological properties with very high accuracy. These findings are important requirements for further designing of spacer fabrics for car seats and back supports.

In-plane shear behavior of 3D warp-knitted spacer fabrics: Part II—Effect of structural parameters

The objective of this work is to study the in-plane shear behavior of 3D warp-knitted spacer knitted fabrics by using a picture frame fixture. This part aims to investigate the effects of structural parameters on the shear stress and energy absorption of warp-knitted spacer fabrics. A group of warp-knitted spacer fabrics was produced on a double-needle bar Raschel machine by varying their structural parameters including spacer yarn fineness, fabric thickness, and outer layer structure. The effects of fabric structural parameters on the shear properties of the spacer fabrics were tested and analyzed based on the nonlinear behavior of shear stress versus shear angle and the deformation mechanism. During loading process, the series of surface images were acquired in certain interval at different positions. These images were processed in image analysis software to obtain the full-field displacement and shear angles at chosen points on the surface of test specimen. The potential shear behavior of the fabric was identified with support of the shear stress–strain curve, work done, and efficiency at different shear stages. The regression model was used to establish the elastic deformation properties to obtain the shear results. Advance statistical evaluation and two-way analysis of variance are used to analyze the significance of various factors such as thickness, spacer yarn diameter, and surface structures on energy absorption at maximum shear load and deformation.

Noise attenuation performance of warp knitted spacer fabrics

The development of functional textile structures is important to improve noise attenuation of human life in automotives, residential and occupational environments. In this research, an attempt has been made to find the suitability of three-dimensional (3D) knitted spacer fabrics for sound absorption. Hence, an experimental and analytical investigation on the sound absorption behavior of warp knitted spacer fabrics was conducted. Due to their porous nature, interconnected pores, bulkier and 3D structure, the spacer fabrics have the ability to attenuate more sound energy than conventional materials. This research examined the acoustic properties of spacer fabrics in relation to material parameters such as thickness, density and surface structure and structural characteristics such as massivity, porosity, tortuosity and air flow resistivity. The sound absorption coefficient of the test samples was measured using the impedance tube method by ASTM E-1050 in the frequency range of 50–6400 Hz. The results showed that the acoustic insulation of spacer fabric improves with their thickness and massivity, reduction in their porosity, tortuous path and high air flow resistance. Advance statistical evaluation and two-way analysis of variance is used to analyze the significance of the combined effect of various factors on air flow resistivity and the noise reduction coefficient. These findings are important requirements for the design of spacer fabrics for noise control in the automobile upholstery, buildings, auditoriums, etc.