Industrial washing conditions as factor that influence the cellulose structure and mechanical strength of bed linens.

It is crucial for companies providing rental and maintenance services to hotels and hospitals to tackle the problem of decreased physical longevity caused by frequent laundering procedures in the industrial textile sector. Proper maintenance of bed linens is vital as they undergo multiple rigorous preservation techniques, such as being treated with chlorine to remove tough stains and sanitize the fabrics. The mechanical strength of fabric made of 100% cotton fibre products greatly relies on the degree of polymerization of cellulose-cotton fibre material. The study evaluated the washing performance of five cotton fabrics. Two weaving pattern variations were used and the fabrics were composed either of 100% cotton or a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester fibres. The washing methods included commercial and chlorine-based laboratory washing. 100% cotton fabrics, especially in plain weave show higher tensile strength falls then blended ones. The pure cotton fabric loss much more of its initial strength after only few chlorine-based washings than after hundred commercial ones. Limiting viscosity number values drop in half after hundred commercial washings for cotton fibres taken from tested woven fabrics. In comparison, decline of this parameter after only ten chlorine-based washings is more than 80% of their initial values. Performing the maintenance process without free chlorine, while still retaining its high effectiveness, can notably augment the frequency of maintenance procedures and preserve the mechanical durability of cotton fabrics over a longer time span. This leads to a reduction in textile waste residues.

Silver Nanowires and Silanes in Hybrid Functionalization of Aramid Fabrics.

New functionalization methods of meta- and para-aramid fabrics with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and two silanes (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) and diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) were developed: a one-step method (mixture) with AgNWs dispersed in the silane mixture and a two-step method (layer-by-layer) in which the silanes mixture was applied to the previously deposited AgNWs layer. The fabrics were pre-treated in a low-pressure air radio frequency (RF) plasma and subsequently coated with polydopamine. The modified fabrics acquired hydrophobic properties (contact angle ΘW of 112-125°). The surface free energy for both modified fabrics was approximately 29 mJ/m2, while for reference, meta- and para-aramid fabrics have a free energy of 53 mJ/m2 and 40 mJ/m2, respectively. The electrical surface resistance (Rs) was on the order of 102 Ω and 104 Ω for the two-step and one-step method, respectively. The electrical volume resistance (Rv) for both modified fabrics was on the order of 102 Ω. After UV irradiation, the Rs did not change for the two-step method, and for the one-step method, it increased to the order of 1010 Ω. The specific strength values were higher by 71% and 63% for the meta-aramid fabric and by 102% and 110% for the para-aramid fabric for the two-step and one-step method, respectively, compared to the unmodified fabrics after UV radiation.

The Influence of Physical Properties and Increasing Woven Fabric Layers on the Noise Absorption Capacity.

Noise pollution from the environment may wreak havoc on a person's wellbeing. Numerous sound-absorbing materials are employed to address these issues, one of which is textile-woven fabrics. In this study, 12 woven textiles with four different weave structures (plain, rib, sateen, and twill) and those formed from three distinct polyester yarns were evaluated for their sound absorption properties using an impedance tube. The study was conducted within the range of 80-5000 (Hz) frequency. Part of the investigation was measuring different layers of woven fabrics under three different measuring conditions. Firstly, only woven fabrics were evaluated. Following that, woven and nonwoven textiles were measured. The third variant, in addition to the woven fabrics, included an air gap. In addition, this study includes tests and analyses of the effect of roughness and porosity of the fabric structure on the effectiveness of noise reduction by woven fabrics. The absorption capacity of plain fabric is higher at lower frequencies than other woven fabrics. Other weave structures noise reduction efficiency is higher as the frequency range increases. The absorption efficiency of plain fabric decreases with fabric layering. Utilizing woven fabric combined with nonwoven fabric reduces noise more effectively than the air gap variant. Low surface roughness and a highly porous surface of the fabric indicate a high noise reduction coefficient (NRC).

The Influence of Structure of Multilayer Woven Fabrics on Their Mechanical Properties.

Multilayer woven fabrics used for conveyor belts must be characterized by high mechanical strength. The design process of multilayer woven fabrics for such application requires taking into account the structural characteristics of the fabric, which allows to adjust the final product properties to the dedicated use. The geometry of warp threads-means stuffer and binding is the decisive aspect, which influences the strength properties of multilayer woven fabrics and materials made with their use as well. The aim of this work was to examine the possibility of shaping mechanical strength and bending rigidity of multilayer woven fabrics by changing the order of introducing weft threads into individual layers. The eight variants of multilayer woven fabrics were manufactured using laboratory harness loom. They were produced using different structural models in two weft variants, then tested. The mechanical features were determined, such as breaking force, recovered and unrecovered elongations in cyclic tensile test, stiffness rigidity. The analysis of the obtained results confirmed, that both the model and the order in which the weft threads were introduced into individual layers influence the mechanical strength and bending rigidity of multilayer woven. It was found, that the strength properties characterized by the above mentioned indicators are influenced by the number of threads weaved as both the stuffer and binding warp.

Influence of Low-Pressure RF Plasma Treatment on Aramid Yarns Properties.

The aim of the study was to modify the surface free energy (SFE) of meta- (mAr) and para-aramid (pAr) yarns by their activation in low-pressure air radio frequency (RF) (40 kHz) plasma and assessment of its impact on the properties of the yarns. After 10 and 90 min of activation, the SFE value increased, respectively, by 14% and 37% for mAr, and by 10% and 37% for pAr. The value of the polar component increased, respectively by 22% and 57% for mAr and 20% and 62% for pAr. The value of the dispersion component for mAr and pAr increased respectively by 9% and 25%. The weight loss decreased from 49% to 46% for mAr and 62% to 50% for pAr after 90 min of activation. After 90 min, the specific strength for mAr did not change and for pAr it decreased by 40%. For both yarns, the 10 min activation in plasma is sufficient to prepare their surface for planned nanomodification.