Cotton in the new millennium: advances, economics, perceptions and problems

Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cotton’s advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear. This issue of Textile Progress aims to: i. Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered. ii. Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade. iii. Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included. iv. Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre

On the Thermal and Pressure Characteristics of Sport Compression Garments

Aegean International Textile and Advanced Engineering Conference (AITAE) -- SEP 05-07, 2018 -- GREECEWOS: 000481769900061In this study, various knitted fabric structures were designed to help preventing muscular difficulties in sports. The samples, containing channels in widthwise direction, were produced by jacquard knitting technique. The effects of channel size and quilted inlay design were investigated in terms of pressure behaviour, thermal and water vapour resistance. Increasing of channel size and adding inlay yarns provided higher thermal resistance, as well as an increase in water vapour resistance, they also significantly affected pressure characteristics of samples.Ouzo Plomari, CreThiDev, IGFAResearch Foundation of Ege UniversityEge University [16-MUH-089]The authors acknowledge the Research Foundation of Ege University for the financial support given to this study (Project Number: 16-MUH-089)

Thermal comfort properties of wool and regenerated fibers blended woven fabrics

Texma.org;Tissa Textiles2012 Spring Conference of the Fiber Society -- 23 May 2012 through 25 May 2012 -- St. Gallen -- 105819The aim of this project is produce woolen fabrics which have better clothing comfort thereby has high added value. New woven fabrics were produced by blending wool and regenerated fibers. And then, the thermal comfort and performance properties were tested

Moisture Management and Drying Properties of Double Face Knitted Fabrics

Aegean International Textile and Advanced Engineering Conference (AITAE) -- SEP 05-07, 2018 -- GREECEWOS: 000481769900096This study presents the drying time and moisture spreading characteristics of double face interlock fabrics, which were knitted by the combination of polyester, cotton and viscose yarns. The results revealed that polyester-cotton samples showed the lowest drying time and better moisture transfer capability among all tested fabric, when the polyester face is placed inside of the garment. Also, a relationship was determined between water spreading and drying properties.Ouzo Plomari, CreThiDev, IGFAResearch Foundation of Ege UniversityEge University [17-MUH-054]The authors acknowledge the Research Foundation of Ege University for the financial support given to this study (project number: 17-MUH-054)

polyurethane fiber coated knitted fabrics for wind-resistant clothing

The integration of nanofibers into conventional fabrics may open up new opportunities such as improving the comfort performance and thermal management properties of outdoor clothing. Nanofibers are able to form a highly porous mesh and their large surface-to-volume ratio improves performance for many applications. This study shows the possible utility of the nanofiber coating on conventional knitted fabrics for improving the wind-resistance and breathability properties. It was seen that nanofiber coating did not cause a significant effect on water vapor and thermal resistance of electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane nanofiber coated cotton (CO), modal (CMD), viscose (CV), and lyocell (CLY) single jersey fabrics, while resistance to air permeability was increased with the increased nanofiber coating. High level of air resistance was achieved with 30 min of coating. In terms of comfort properties, the nanofiber coating proved to be advantageous due to its lower air permeability with its water vapor permeable structure. However, thermal insulation level of these fabrics was still low and fragile nanofiber layer needed to be protected. Therefore, a multi-layered fabric form was derived from combination of cotton and lyocell fabrics with a nanofiber layer. The results showed that nanofibers could be used to improve the wind-resistance and comfort properties of multi-layered knitted structures.C1 [Oglakcioglu, Nida] Ege Univ, Dept Text Engn, Fac Engn, Izmir, Turkey.[Akduman, Cigdem] Pamukkale Univ, Denizli Vocat Sch Tech Sci, Dept Text Technol, Denizli, Turkey.[Sari, Burak] Bitlis Eren Univ, Fac Fine Art, Bitlis, Turkey

Effects of calendering and milling processes on clothing comfort properties of suit fabrics

The term of clothing comfort can be defined as a pleasant state including physiological, psychological and physical harmony between a human body and its environment. It is commonly classified into four broad categories: thermal, body movement, aesthetic and sensorial (tactile) comfort. One of the important components that affecting clothing comfort is the fabric that provides thermal balance between body and environment and achieves good tactile properties. Clothing comfort properties of fabrics are affected by fabric structure, type and ratio of fiber, yarn structure and finishing treatments. Within this study, the effects of calendering and milling process on thermal comfort and surface properties of suit fabrics were investigated. The results indicate that air permeability, thickness and thermal resistance values were decreased, while thermal absorptivity values were increased after calendering process. However, calendering had no significant effect on surface properties. Besides, milling process increased air permeability, thickness, thermal resistance and surface friction coefficient values and decreased thermal absorptivity values

Effect of finishing techniques on some physical characteristics of shoe upper leathers

Aniline, pigmented and patent finishing are the common techniques used for the production of shoe upper leathers. These different finishing types applied to shoe upper leathers have affected the physical and functional properties as well as the comfort and visual characteristics of the leathers. To evaluate the effects of different finishing types on physical characteristics of shoe upper leathers, calf and goat leathers were used in the study. The water vapor permeability, air permeability and thermal resistance tests of aniline, pigmented and patent finished leathers were performed prior and after the finishing processes for the determination of comport properties of upper leathers. For the morphological characterization, Table Top Scanning Electron Microscopy (TSEM) was used. The water vapor and air permeability values were found significantly high prior to finishing process, however lower results were determined after the applications. The only statistically significant effect was found for the water vapor permeability, although no significant difference was observed for the other physical test values