K‐M theory of fabric knitted by three‐channel rotor spun wool yarn

Two‐component and three‐component color blended yarns were spun by red, yellow, and blue wool slivers using a three‐channel rotor spun machine, and the corresponding plain fabrics were knitted. The color‐matching models of K‐M theory were built with the relative method and the least squares method, respectively. Colors and blending ratios of the fabrics were predicted by the model. The results showed that the average color differences of the samples predicted by the two methods are both about 1.0 and the mean value of the proportional error is below 3%. The least squares method has a better color‐matching effect for the three‐component sample, and the relative value method has better color‐matching results for the two‐component sample. When the tolerance range is 2.0, the pass rates of the samples predicted by either the relative value method or the least squares method reach 100%.     

Study of the factors influencing colour yield of an ink-jet printed cotton fabric

In this study, the factors influencing the final colour yield of an ink-jet printed cotton fabric were investigated. The factors included the content of the pretreatment paste (the amounts of sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and urea) and the steaming time. Four different inks – cyan, magenta, yellow and black – were used in this study and the influences of these factors on the four different colours were studied through experimental design. The results showed that apart from the influence of individual factors, the final colour yield also depended on the interaction effect of the factors.     

Atmospheric pressure plasma‐induced decolorisation of cotton knitted fabric dyed with reactive dye

The aim of this study was to investigate the decolorisation effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on knitted fabrics dyed with reactive dyes under different processing parameters, ie, air concentration, treatment duration and water content. The fabrics were dyed with reactive dye of a blue colour, and the colour depths were 0.5%, 1.5% and 3.0% on weight of fabric. The colour properties of untreated and plasma‐treated fabric samples were evaluated by means of reflectance, K/S and relative unlevelness index. The colour properties were evaluated instrumentally and quantitatively in order to study the decolorisation effect induced by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. Experimental results revealed that the desired decolorisation effect was heavily influenced by the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment processing parameters. Although the desired decolorisation effect could be obtained by controlling the processing parameters of the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, the treatment did not provide any significant reduction in the bursting strength of the fabric.     

Effect of reactive dyeing on the UV protection affected by knitted fabric made from different types of cotton fibre

In this study, 100% cotton knitted fabrics made from combed cotton and combed pima cotton were dyed with reactive dye, with different dye concentrations. Colour properties such as CIE L*a*b* values as well as dyeing uniformity of the dyed fabrics were measured. The relationships between colour properties and the ultraviolet protection afforded by cotton knitted fabrics were investigated. Experimental results revealed that dye concentration is the most important factor. In addition, only L* values have a direct mathematical relationship with the ultraviolet protection factor; a* and b* values and dyeing uniformity were not found to have a significant correlation with ultraviolet protection factor values. Meanwhile, knitted fabric made from combed cotton fibre has better ultraviolet protection performance than fabric made from combed pima cotton fibre.     

Deep‐colour vat dyeing of cotton knit fabric on a modified jet dyeing machine

To improve the vat dyeing of cotton knit fabric with Indanthren Black RB Coll. (CI Vat Black 9), the basic parameters of dyeing, including the concentrations of chemicals, the dyeing temperature and duration, and the apparent diffusion coefficient of the dye, were obtained by test dyeing with a stoppered Erlenmeyer flask and the cellophane film roll method. A stable vat dyeing process has been developed on a modified jet dyeing machine for the first time without using nitrogen to purge oxygen. Modifications were made to improve the airtightness of the machine and the equipment in the liquor circulating system, with a water inlet and outlet for the gentle oxidation of dyed fabric, and with monitoring by means of a sensor inserted in the liquor circulating system for in situ measurements of the redox potential and the pH of the dyeing liquors. These measurements made it possible to follow to their completion the process of dyeing and the process of gentle oxidation by overflow washing with water and final oxidation. Optimal conditions with regard to the amount of reducing agent, the dyeing temperature (80 °C), and oxidising processes were established with this machine. It was found that, by using the modified machine and process conditions, dyeing proceeded stably and reproducibly (at 80 °C) to yield grade A dyed fabric. Visual inspection confirmed that faultless deep‐colour dyeing of the fabric was attained. Production has been proceeding successfully for the past 2 years. Owing to its insolubility, complete removal of the dye from the wastewater has been possible.     

The colour properties of polyester/cotton knitted fabrics coated with poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)

The objective of this research was to investigate the use of crosslinked poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) to coat polyester/cotton knitted fabric, without adversely affecting its dyeing properties. Before dyeing, the knitted fabrics were tested for bursting strength to assess the influence of the coating on their resistance. The dyeing parameters were evaluated as the exhaustion (%), K/S value, colour difference (ΔE), relative strength (RS %) and colour fastness to washing. Bursting strengths were 9.4 for coated and 9.7 kgf cm^?2 for uncoated knitted fabric samples, confirming an insignificant loss in resistance. In the evaluation of K/S, ΔE and RS%, the values for the samples with the highest concentration of PVP were the most different to those for the standard sample. The colour fastness showed satisfactory results indicating that neutralisation and washing after dyeing were effective. These results could lead to increased quality in the textile industry, adding value to products.     

The study of colour fastness of commercial microencapsulated photoresponsive dye applied on cotton,cotton/polyester and polyester fabric using a pad‐dry‐cure process

Commercial microencapsulated photoresponsive dye was applied on cotton, polyester/cotton and polyester fabric using a pad‐dry‐cure process. Colour fastness of the photoresponsive fabrics to washing, wet cleaning, dry cleaning, rubbing and light was investigated. The CIELAB colour values of the fabrics before and after testing were measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer, and the colour differences were calculated to evaluate the fastness properties. The fabrics had better colour fastness to wet cleaning and washing than to dry cleaning. The fabrics showed higher colour fastness to wet than to dry rubbing. The photoresponsiveness of the fabrics decreased with prolonged exposure time to artificial light due to low photostability of the microcapsules.     

Synthesis of metal‐free poly(p‐dioxanone) by phosphazene base catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization

Poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) has received significant attention due to its good biocompatibility and fast biodegradation profiles. In addition, PPDO is a polymer with high potential in biomedical applications. However, the conventional syntheses of PPDO via the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of p‐dioxanone (PDO) often use a metallic catalyst, which significantly limits its biorelated applications. This investigation was focused on the synthesis of metal‐free PPDO by using phosphazene base t‐BuP₄ as the catalyst. The effects of the reaction conditions including temperature, reaction time, initiators, and feed molar ratios were studied in detail by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, viscosimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that t‐BuP₄ exhibited especially high activity in catalyzing alcohol or aniline to initiate the ROP of PDO, consequently resulting in metal‐free PPDOs. The polymerization was optimum at a reaction temperature of approximately 100°C and 88.7% of PDO was consumed. The viscosity–average molecular weights of the resulting polymer reached as high as 2.09 × 10⁴ g/mol. The molar ratios of [PDO]/[t‐BuP₄] also had an obvious effect on both the polymerization and the resulting polymer. Increasing [PDO]/[t‐BuP₄] ratios facilitated the molecular weight growth, whereas the conversions of PDO significantly decreased. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43030.     

In vitro degradation of dry‐jet‐wet spun poly(lactic acid) monofilament and knitted scaffold

In vitro degradation behavior of dry‐jet‐wet spun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) monofilament and knitted scaffold were studied at three different pH i.e., at 4.6, 7.4, and 8.0 at 37°C for 20 weeks. Characterization of PLA by intrinsic viscosity, thermal properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. It is observed that the pH of the medium has significant role on degradation behavior of PLA. The degradation at pH 4.6 is observed to be maximum, which is confirmed by the drop of 52% in intrinsic viscosity. The degradation process has effect on the hydrophobicity of the PLA. The decrease in contact angle from 73° to 48° indicates that the PLA surface tends to become more hydrophilic as the degradation proceeds. The SEM analysis showed that with the degradation, surface deterioration takes place. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2006–2012, 2007     

Durable antibacterial finish on cotton fabric by using chitosan‐based polymeric core‐shell particles

Cotton fabric with excellent antibacterial durability was obtained when treated with chitosan‐containing core‐shell particles without any chemical binders. These amphiphilic nanosized particles with antibacterial chitosan shells covalently grafted onto polymer cores were prepared via a surfactant‐free emulsion copolymerization in aqueous chitosan. Herein, two core‐shell particles, one with poly(n‐butyl acrylate) soft core and another with crosslinked poly(N‐isopropylamide) hard core, were synthesized and applied to cotton fabric by a conventional pad‐dry‐cure process. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated quantitatively using a Shake Flask Method in which the reduction of the number of Staphylococcus aureus cells was counted. The results showed that treated fabric had an excellent antibacterial property with bacterial reduction higher than 99%. The antibacterial activity maintained at over 90% reduction level even after 50 times of home laundering. The fabric surface morphology as well as the effect of latex particles with different core flexibilities on fabric hand, air permeability, break tensile strength, and elongation was investigated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1787–1793, 2006     

A morphological study of melt‐spun polypropylene filaments by atomic force microscopy

Surface morphology of melt‐spun polypropylene (PP) filaments, spun from an additive‐free PP powder and from a commercial‐grade PP with different draw ratios, were examined with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface morphology of as‐spun filaments was spherulitic. The gradual transformation of the surface structure from a spherulitic morphology to a fibrillar morphology during stretching was studied. In the filaments spun from the commercial‐grade PP, the transformation was initiated by deformation of spherulites with a draw ratio of 1.2 and continued with association of lamellar stacks into fibrillar chains with a draw ratio between 1.2 and 2.0. A hierarchical morphological microstructure of fibrils, microfibrils, and nanofibrils was developed with a draw ratio of 4.0. In the filaments spun from the additive‐free PP, the association of lamellar stacks into fibrillar morphology occurred considerably later, between draw ratios of 2.0 and 4.0. An oriented lamellar structure was found in these filaments, still with a draw ratio of 4.0. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1242–1249, 1999     

Automatic detection of layout of color yarns of yarn‐dyed fabric. Part 2: Region segmentation of double‐system‐Mélange color fabric

To detect the layout of color yarns automatically, a novel projection‐based fabric segmentation method is proposed to segment the double‐system‐mélange color fabric into several regions, which can be seen as single‐system‐mélange color fabrics. This method consists of five main steps: (1) yarn skew detection, (2) fabric image projecting, (3) projection curve smoothing, (4) variance curve calculating, and (5) curve peak confirmation. Based on the acquisition fabric image, the skew angles of warp and weft yarns are detected by Hough transform first. The projection curves of L, a, and b channels in Lab color model are generated and smoothed by Savitzky–Golay filter. The variance curves of L, a, and b are then calculated, and the peaks corresponding to the regional boundaries in each curve are detected. The regional boundaries are confirmed by synthesizing the curve peaks of L, a, and b. The experimental and theoretical analysis proves that the proposed method can segment the double‐system‐mélange color fabric into regions with satisfactory accuracy and good robustness. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 626–635, 2016     

Bending properties of the multilayer‐connected biaxial weft knitted fabrics‐reinforced composites made with carbon fibers

This article presents an experimental study of bending properties of multilayer‐connected biaxial weft knitted (MBWK) fabrics‐reinforced composites made with carbon fibers. Three types of composites are used in bending test, which are three‐layer‐connected biaxial weft knitted fabric‐reinforced composite, four‐layer‐connected biaxial weft knitted fabric‐reinforced composite and five‐layer‐connected biaxial weft knitted fabric‐reinforced composite. Two‐way ANOVA analyzing method was used to deal with whether the carbon fiber volume fraction and the cutting direction have significant effect on the bending strength of the MBWK fabrics‐reinforced composites. Failure analysis is also available by means of samples debris examination to identify the failure mode. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2291–2302, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Graft copolymerization of nitrile monomers onto sulfonated jute‐cotton blended fabric

Graft copolymerization of nitrile monomers, such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile, onto bleached sulfonated jute‐cotton blended fabric was carried out in an aqueous medium using potassium permanganate as an initiator under the catalytic influence of sulfuric acid in a nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of concentrations of monomer, permanganate, sulfuric acid, reaction time, and reaction temperature on the percent graft yield was studied. The percent graft yield was found to be dependent on the above‐mentioned variables. On the basis of experimental findings, an optimum condition for effective grafting is suggested. As evidence of polymer grafting, some instrumental analyses, such as thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffractometry were carried out. Grafting improved the thermal stability, protected from photo‐oxidative degradation, affected dyeability, and had a positive impact on color fastness. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2262–2266, 2003     

A study on the advanced oxidation of a cotton fabric by ozone

So-called sdvanced oxidation involves the generation of free radical hydroxy species. Ozone, a highly unstable compound, liberates such radicals, which can be used for bleaching. In this work grey cotton fabric was bleached with an ozone/oxygen gas mixture, and the effects of ozone concentration and treatment time on the properties of the bleached fabric were studied. The properties evaluated were whiteness index, strength, elongation, extent of impurities (size and wax) removed, degree of chemical modification (carboxyl and aldehyde groups) and reactive dye take-up. These properties were compared to those from conventionally bleached materials (acid desize-scour-peroxide/calcium hypochlorite bleach). The results show that an acceptable degree of whiteness (ready for dyeing) can be obtained by ozone bleaching in a very short time. This process is environmentally acceptable because it is does not use harmful chemicals, it requires a very low quantity of water, and bleaching is achieved in a very short time at room temperature.     

Low‐temperature bleaching of cotton fabric using a copper‐based catalyst for hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be catalysed to bleach cotton fibres at a temperature of 70 °C by incorporating the copper‐based catalyst [Cu(TPMA)Cl]ClO₄·1/2H₂O in the bleaching solution. The effects of pH, temperature, and concentration of catalyst and hydrogen peroxide on bleaching effectiveness were evaluated. The effects of other transition metal complexes of tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine were also examined. The bleaching mechanism was investigated by studying the active species. The results showed that a satisfactory whiteness index could be obtained at low temperature with the copper‐based catalyst, and it also had a competitive advantage in protecting cellulose from severe chemical damage. Cu(i )TPMA(OOH)^? was the active species in bleaching.     

Comparative study of cellulose isolated by totally chlorine‐free method from wood and cereal straw

Highly purified cellulose preparations were obtained by pretreatment of dewaxed barley straw, oil palm frond fiber, poplar wood, maize stems, wheat straw, rice straw, and rye straw with 2.0% H₂O₂ at 45°C and pH 11.6 for 16 h, and sequential purification with 80% acetic acid–70% nitric acid (10/1, v/v) at 120°C for 15 min. The purified cellulose obtained was relatively free of bound hemicelluloses (2.3–3.2%) and lignin (0.4–0.6%) and had a yield of 35.5% from barley straw, 39.6% from oil palm frond fiber, 40.8% from poplar wood, 36.0% from maize stems, 34.1% from wheat straw, 23.4% from rice straw, and 35.8% from rye straw. The weight‐average molecular weights of the purified cellulose ranged from 39,030 to 48,380 g/mol. The thermal stability of the purified cellulose was higher than that of the corresponding crude cellulose. In comparison, the isolated crude and purified cellulose samples were also studied by Fourier transform IR and cross‐polarization/magic‐angle spinning ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 322–335, 2005     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles on cotton fabric modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane

In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized on cotton fabric modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) using sodium citrate as a reducing/stabilizing agent by microwave‐assisted process. The presence of a highly oriented amino‐terminated self‐assembled monolayer and formation of APTMS was demonstrated by an X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The silver‐coated cotton fabrics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX). UV protection, antistatic, and hydrophobic properties were also evaluated. The results show that silver‐coated fabric modified with APTMS possesses excellent antistatic, UV protection with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 396.5 and superhydrophobic properties with contact angle of 153.2°. APTMS pretreatment improves the adhesive strength between silver coatings and cotton fabric. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3862–3868, 2013     

Improving the colour fastness of dyed nylon‐6 fabric by graft copolymerisation and curing of acrylic acid

The influence of grafting and grafting–curing of acrylic acid on the colour fastness of nylon‐6 fabric dyed with an acid dye of low wash fastness was investigated. The variables involved in grafting were initially optimised for pristine nylon‐6 fabric prior to grafting the same monomer onto the dyed fabrics. The highest graft yield achieved for the pristine and dyed nylon‐6 fabrics was 44 and 14% respectively. Grey scale testing and colorimetric analysis revealed that the highest colour fastness and the smallest drop in colour strength belonged to the dyed–grafted–cured nylon‐6 fabric. The colour components were measured, and the total colour difference of each sample after five washing cycles was computed. The specific colour difference showed that the implementation of either grafting or grafting–curing processes will alter the reference colour of the dyed fabric. The tensile strength of the grafted and grafted–cured fabrics was respectively 2.7 and 6.3% lower than that of dyed nylon‐6.     

Effect of titanium dioxide on the flame‐retardant finishing of cotton fabric

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or nano titanium dioxide (nano‐TiO₂) was used as a cocatalyst in the flame‐retardant (FR) formulation of N‐methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (Pyrovatex CP New, FR), melamine resin [Knittex CHN, crosslinking agent (CL)], and phosphoric acid (PA) for cotton fabrics to improve the treatment effectiveness and minimize the side effects of the treatment. For FR‐treated cotton fabrics, the flame extinguished right after removal of the ignition source with no flame spreading. However, after neutralization and/or home laundering, FR–CL‐treated specimens failed the flammability test, whereas the opposite results were obtained from FR–CL–PA‐treated specimens. A noticeable result was that the TiO₂/nano‐TiO₂ cocatalyst had a significant effect on decreasing the flame‐spread rate. Thermal analysis found that the FR‐treated specimens without wet posttreatment showed two endothermic peaks representing the phosphorylation of cellulose and acid‐catalyzed dehydration. In addition, the treated fabrics showed some new characteristic peaks in their chemical structures; these were interpreted as carbonyl bands, CH₂ rocking bands, and CH₃ asymmetric and CH₂ symmetric stretching. The surface morphology of the FR–CL–PA‐treated cotton specimens showed a roughened and wrinkled fabric surface with a high deposition of the finishing agent that had a lower breaking load and tearing strength, which resulted from the side effects of the CL used. However, the addition of a TiO₂ or nano‐TiO₂ cocatalyst could compensate for the reduction in the tensile strength. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011