Nanocomposites play effective role in production of smart fibers

An Iranian researcher from Yazd University studied the effect of the presence of nanocomposites on the structure and final properties of propylene fibers.

The application of the proposed nanocomposite increases the tonality and improves humidity permeability and abrasive strength of the fibers. The results have applications in textile, medical, foodstuff and automobile-manufacturing industries.

This research studied some of the final properties of polypropylene fibers after the addition of silver/zinc antibacterial nanocomposite during the production process. Weakness in tonality, permeability and abrasion strength are among the important problems of polypropylene fibers. Therefore, this research studies the effect of inorganic and metallic nanostructures on the properties of antibacterial nanocomposite yarns.

In more specific words, humidity permeability changes versus temperature were observed in these nanocomposites, to the extent that the permeability of the optimum nanocomposite sample is 11.2% lower than the pure sample at 22°C, which helps the conservation of the body temperature at cold climates, and increases the comfort of the clothes. However, the permeability increases in all samples when the temperature increases to 35°C.

The permeability increase is about 21% in the pure sample while an increase of 122% is observed in the nanocomposite sample. Therefore, permeability significantly increases in the nanocomposite sample in comparison with the pure sample as temperature increases. Increase in permeability at high temperature eases heat transfer from the body through sweating, and it helps the comfort of the clothes. In addition, an increase of 133% was observed in the tear point in the optimum nanocomposite samples.

Results of the research have been published in Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, vol. 9, issue 4, 2014, pp. 39-44.