Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Thermal Bonded Nonwoven Composite Produced of Blends with Sustainable Fibers

Research Article

Adv Res Text Eng. 2019; 4(2): 1039.

Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Thermal Bonded Nonwoven Composite Produced of Blends with Sustainable Fibers

Shariful Islam1* and Shaharia Ahmed2

¹Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, City University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

²SGS Bangladesh Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: Shariful Islam, Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, City University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Email: Sharifultextiles@gmail.com

Received: April 01, 2019; Accepted: August 07, 2019; Published: August 14, 2019

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanical properties of thermal bonded nonwoven composite materials produced of blend with sustainable fibers. Sustainable natural fibers like jute were used in this research with manmade polypropylene fibers at 50:50 ratios to confirm the blend ecofriendly. Thermal molding technique was applied to make the nonwoven composite by hot pressing. Nonwoven materials of different thickness were produced and scan images were taken with the help of scanning electron microscope instrument. The composite materials manufactured with these two fibers were cheaper, stronger and lighter, which were used in the interior part of the complex. The experiments were carried out in the textile laboratory at the temperature of 20±2°C with the relative humidity of 65±2%. Weight test of the nonwoven composite materials was carried out in accordance with the test method provided by ASTM D 3776 standard, tear strength was conducted in accordance with the test method provided by ASTM D 5734 standard, tensile strength was conducted in accordance with the test method provided by ASTM D 5034 standard and thickness test of the nonwoven was measured in accordance with the test method provided by DIN EN ISO 5084 standard. This research was practiced based and the findings were beneficial to the textile professionals who were responsible for the manufacturing of nonwoven composite textile materials produced of blends with sustainable fibers and to controlling of their mechanical properties.

Keywords: Nonwoven Composite; Mechanical Property; Thermal Conductivity; Compression; Molding; Elongation; Sustainable

Introduction

Different scholars worked related to this experiment at different times where literature review exposed different results. Some of which were similar and some were widely dissimilar. Due to the range of variables involved, if one parameter was changed then the other properties of the fabrics were also changed.

Shariful et.al, experimented the physical and acoustic properties of needle punched nonwoven that was produced of blends with sustainable fibers. They proved that sustainable natural fibers are harmless to the environment and they can be used inside the automobiles to reduce noise pollution [1].

Chen et.al, reported that nonwoven fabrics are made up with staple fibers or filaments by bonding together with thermal, mechanical, chemical, heat or adhesive manufacturing process. These nonwoven fabrics are produced for the purpose of comfort properties [2].

Yang et.al, reported that nonwoven fabrics are manufactured for the purpose of relaxation properties rather than its other mechanical properties like elongation, elasticity, durability, thermal conductivity, air permeability etc [3].

Suvari et.al, also reported that nonwoven fabrics are manufactured by bonding together with entangling the fibers or filaments by the process of thermo mechanical, physiochemical or by the process of adhesion [4].

Yang et.al, explained that nonwoven fabrics are like porous sheets those are made up with either by separate fibers or by plastic films [5]. The amount of recycled fabrics varied from process to process for the purpose of specific use [6].

Lin et.al, also proved that nonwoven fabrics are not produced weaving or knitting; rather they are made up with the assembling of fibers or filaments to make a liner surface that can be used as like a fabric for industrial or personal purpose [7].

Pasayev et.al, also reported that a number of recycled fabrics are used in nonwoven fabrics for the purpose of clothing, decoration, industrial application, commercial purpose etc. Likewise, these nonwoven fabrics can be reprocessed after use by giving proper treatment [8]. Because of this reason, a number of people consider the nonwoven fabrics as an ecological fabric for specific applications, particularly in the sanitation area where the disposable of products are imperative like as clinics, seminaries, conservations, safeguarding, nursing homes, luxury housings etc [9].

Thilagavathi et.al, also experimented that the nonwoven fabrics are engineered fabrics those are prepared for multipurpose like medical, aesthetic, acoustic, medical, comfort, health and hygiene etc [10]. Nonwoven fabrics used in medical sectors are manufactured by considering the health issues [11].

Nam et.al, also experimented that nonwoven fabrics have multi functions as like porosity, permeability, flexibility, elasticity, stretch, smoothness, durability, fire retardant, wash ability, moderating, heat protection, audio insulation, purification etc use as a bacteriological barricade and infertility [12].

Kakonke et.al, reported that the properties of nonwoven fabrics are habitually shared to make it applicable for specific jobs. They can satirist the entrance, texture, constancy, durability etc [13]. Strength of woven fabrics depend on the polyester fiber content and also the thickness of fabric [14]. In amalgamation with other constituents they supply a scale of products with varied possessions, and are used unaccompanied or as apparatuses of clothing, home fittings, fitness care, manufacturing, trade and customer properties [15].

Karaszewska et.al, reported that nonwovens are characteristically manufactured by placing staple fibers or filaments together in the form of a web, with binding them either mechanically or with an adhesive to melt the binder into the web by raising temperature [16].

Muthukumar et.al, reported that nonwovens have both the properties like softness and durability that depends upon the fibers it contains [17]. Nonwoven fabrics have the property like penetrability, resistance, elasticity, smoothness etc [18].

Thilagavathi et.al, also reported that nonwoven fabrics are produced by heat condition where fibers lead to curl up, and the scales fastening together that prevents the fibers from uncurling [19]. While washing a natural wool jumper it shrinks as much as it can due to its shrinkage properties [20].

Souza et.al, produced a fabric where, warp way jute yarn and weft way polypropylene yarn was used to make the woven cloth. Then composite was made up with thermal molding process and their mechanical properties were examined [21].

Shariful et.al, experimented the relationship in between strength and polyester content percentage of cotton polyester blended woven fabrics. They proved that the advantages of blending the fiber content were like blending of individual characteristics of each fibers to get some constant features in the blended fabrics [22].

Materials and Methods

Materials used

Nonwoven composite made up of natural jute and manmade polypropylene fibers were used in this research as mentioned in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the SEM figure of jute fibers and Figure 2 shows the SEM figure of polypropylene fibers. The composite was made up with 50% jute fibers and 50% polypropylene fibers and its mechanical properties were investigated. The nonwoven composite was made up with thermal molding and hot pressing system. 4 to 5 layers of woven cloths were taken to form molded nonwoven composite materials. The thickness of the nonwoven was from 6mm to 10mm and the per unit weight of the composite was from 524 g/m2 to 581 g/m2