Masters Theses

Vikram Sharma

Date of Award

12-1992

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Textiles, Retail, and Consumer Sciences

Major Professor

Kermit E. Duckett

Committee Members

Larry Wadsworth, Gajanan Ghat

Abstract

Development leads to production of new and better products for the consumer. With growing consciousness among the consumer for comfortable and environmentally friendly products it is becoming imperative to produce such products. Cotton, which is gaining new acceptance in the field of nonwovens, is a fiber which has future for such products. Cotton's inability to bond to itself forces us to choose among different types of production processes. Thermal calendering with binder fibers of cotton blended nonwovens is a most attractive process. To reduce the processing temperatures, to save energy, and enhance the feel of the fabric, binder fibers having low melting points are desirable. Bicomponent fibers provide us with this alternative. The objective of this study is to compare two different types of bicomponent fibers for thermally bonded staple fiber nonwovens. This study will also aid in finding the optimum processing temperatures for production of nonwovens with cotton and bicomponent blends. Another objective of the study is to compare two different types of web formation techniques against the physical properties of the fabric. The samples with proper combinations of variables were made and then tested for strength, elongation, weight, bursting strength, air permeability, thickness, and stiffness properties. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Mixed Model technique. Results showed that, of the four variables, i.e., pattern roll (top roll) temperature, smooth (bottom) roll temperature, type of fiber, and method of web formation for each fabric property, method and fiber played a significant role in determining the response properties. There was a significant change in the strength of the fabric when the layering technique for web formation was used. Though in the case of the properties of fabric thickness and weight, the effect of top roll and bottom roll temperatures was not significant. The optimum processing temperature changes with the requirements and the end use of the fabric. A fabric desired to have higher strength should be processed near the melting point and a fabric of preferred high air permeability should be processed below the softening temperature. For future study, it is suggested that the effect of preheating and miiltilayered web formation technique be examined for changes in the properties of the bonded nonwovens.

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