Research Article
Open Access
A Study on Modal Fibre Based on the Absorption
Characteristics
Gnanapriya K1* and Jeyakodi Moses2
1Ph.D. Research Scholar, Research & Development Centre, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore 641045, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Applied Science, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641004, India
2Associate Professor, Department of Applied Science, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641004, India
*Corresponding author: Gnanapriya K, M.Sc (Ph.D), Research & Development Centre, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore 641045, India. E-mail: gnanapriyak84@gmail.com
Received: June 25, 2015; Accepted: July 14, 2015; Published: July 29, 2015
Citation: Gnanapriya K, Moses J (2015) A Study on Modal Fibre Based on the Absorption Characteristics. SOJ Mater Sci Eng 3(2): 1-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/sojmse.2015.00123
AbstractTop
Modal was at first introduced by Lenzing AG Company of Austria
who trade named the fabrics identity. Modal is very soft, shiny in
nature and silk feel than mercerized cotton with the ability to absorb
up to 50% more water than cotton. Fabric made from modal drape
well and do not pile like cotton. In this study, modal fabrics (woven
and knitted) are selected and conventionally pretreated and subjected
with 98% formic acid in different concentrations. The formic acid
treated modal fabrics were then undergone for different testings.
These treatments on modal fabrics were correspondingly compared
with those of cotton for its effectiveness.
Keywords: Modal Fabric; Formic acid, K/S & SEM
Keywords: Modal Fabric; Formic acid, K/S & SEM
Introduction
Lenzing started selling modal fibers in 1964. In 1977,
Lenzing started using an environmentally friendly bleaching
method for pulp for their cellulosic fibers. Modal's distinguishing
characteristics are its high wet strength and its extra softness. It is
sometimes referred to as "soft as a feather" and the "softest fiber
in the world". The smooth surface characteristics of the modal
fiber make it impossible for mineral deposits from water, such as
lime scum, to be deposited on the textiles [1,2] thus preventing
fabric hardening after repeated washings. It's designed to dye
just like cotton and is color-fast when washed in warm water. The
softness makes it especially ideal for body contact clothing such
as lingerie and under garments [3,4].
They are also wear resistant and strong while maintaining a soft, silky feel [5. 6]. Modal fibers have found a wide variety of uses in clothing, outerwear and household furnishings. They are often blended with cotton, wool or synthetic fibers and allow easy tone-in-tone dyeing [7, 8]. In this study, modal fabrics (woven and knitted) are selected and conventionally pretreated to get rid of the basic impurities. The pre-treated fabrics were then subjected with 98% formic acid in different concentrations. The formic acid treated modal fabrics were then undergone for different testings, such as, physical properties, absorption, K/S values, fastness properties and SEM analysis. These treatments on modal fabrics were correspondingly compared with those of cotton for its effectiveness.
They are also wear resistant and strong while maintaining a soft, silky feel [5. 6]. Modal fibers have found a wide variety of uses in clothing, outerwear and household furnishings. They are often blended with cotton, wool or synthetic fibers and allow easy tone-in-tone dyeing [7, 8]. In this study, modal fabrics (woven and knitted) are selected and conventionally pretreated to get rid of the basic impurities. The pre-treated fabrics were then subjected with 98% formic acid in different concentrations. The formic acid treated modal fabrics were then undergone for different testings, such as, physical properties, absorption, K/S values, fastness properties and SEM analysis. These treatments on modal fabrics were correspondingly compared with those of cotton for its effectiveness.
Experimental
Materials
The textile fabrics used in this study were in the following
descriptions:
I) Woven Fabrics: a) Modal (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) – 27, GSM - 146, ends per inch – 84, picks per inch – 94; b) Cotton (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) – 30, GSM - 137.2, ends per inch – 94, picks per inch – 74; and II) Knitted Fabrics: a) Modal (100%) : yarn count – 27.5, GSM 137, loop length–2.6 mm, b) Cotton (100%) : yarn count – 30, GSM - 142, loop length–2.6 mm; and the chemicals and dye used in this study were in the commercial grade.
Natural dyes [annatto (bixa orellana), onion (allium cepa), pomegranate (punica granatum), indigo (indigofera tinctoria), myrobalan (terminalia chebula), bar berry (berberis vulgaris)] and synthetic dyes [reactive dye (reactive red HB – C.I. No. Red 24), and sulphur dye (sulphur black – C.I. No. sulphur Black 1)] used were in the commercial grade. The chemicals mentioned elsewhere for this study were in AR grade.
I) Woven Fabrics: a) Modal (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) – 27, GSM - 146, ends per inch – 84, picks per inch – 94; b) Cotton (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) – 30, GSM - 137.2, ends per inch – 94, picks per inch – 74; and II) Knitted Fabrics: a) Modal (100%) : yarn count – 27.5, GSM 137, loop length–2.6 mm, b) Cotton (100%) : yarn count – 30, GSM - 142, loop length–2.6 mm; and the chemicals and dye used in this study were in the commercial grade.
Natural dyes [annatto (bixa orellana), onion (allium cepa), pomegranate (punica granatum), indigo (indigofera tinctoria), myrobalan (terminalia chebula), bar berry (berberis vulgaris)] and synthetic dyes [reactive dye (reactive red HB – C.I. No. Red 24), and sulphur dye (sulphur black – C.I. No. sulphur Black 1)] used were in the commercial grade. The chemicals mentioned elsewhere for this study were in AR grade.
Methods
Treatment on modal and cotton fabrics: The modal and
cotton fabrics (woven and knitted) were pretreated (desizing
(for woven), scouring and bleaching) as per the established
technique [9,10,11]. The pre-treated modal and cotton fabrics
were subjected with 98% formic acid with the concentration
of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% & 5% (owm) for 30 minutes at ambient
temperature (27˚C).
Measurement of physical properties of modal and cotton fabrics: The physical properties such as tensile strength [9], stiffness [12], crease recovery angle [13,14] and mean drape coefficient of woven fabric [15]; and bursting strength and mean drape coefficient of knitted fabric [15,16] of the modal and cotton fabrics was measured by the standard established methods.
Absorbency of modal and cotton fabrics: Absorbency is the time taken for a water drop to penetrate into the textile material. The wet ability of modal and cotton fabrics was determined as per AATCC test method 79 [17].
Dyeing and K/S analysis of modal and cotton fabrics: The dye ability of modal and cotton fabrics (woven and knitted) was investigated using natural and synthetic dyes. Dyeing was carried out at boil for two hours with a material to liquor ratio of 1:20 as per the established technique of dyeing for natural and synthetic dyes. The dyed samples were washed, soaped and dried [10, 18, 19]. Colorimetric data of natural and synthetic dyed modal and cotton fabrics were determined by AATCC Test Method -135 [20] using a Data color SF 600 plus spectrophotometer interfaced to a PC. Measurements were taken regarding colour presence, brightness, dullness and colour intensity with the specular component of the light excluded and the UV component included using illuminant D65 and 10° standard observer. Each fabric was folded once so as to give two thickness and average of five readings were taken each time.
Color fastness analysis of the modal and cotton fabrics: The natural and synthetic dyed samples were washed under condition IIIA of AATCC Test Method 124-2001 to determine the color change effect of dyed fabrics [21, 22]. Light fastness tests (AATCC, 2003), were carried out according to AATCC Test Method 16 E-1998 [23]. The samples were exposed to 5, 10 AFUs (AATCC Fading Unit) to determine the color change AATCC 16-1998 [24]. AATCC standardized crock meter was used to determine the rubbing fastness of natural dyed fabrics under wet and dry condition to assess the color change and staining property AATCC 61-1996 [25].
SEM analysis of silk and its mixed fabric: The surface morphology of modal and cotton fabrics was observed in SEM (JOEL JSM-6360 model microscope, Japan) [26, 27].
Measurement of physical properties of modal and cotton fabrics: The physical properties such as tensile strength [9], stiffness [12], crease recovery angle [13,14] and mean drape coefficient of woven fabric [15]; and bursting strength and mean drape coefficient of knitted fabric [15,16] of the modal and cotton fabrics was measured by the standard established methods.
Absorbency of modal and cotton fabrics: Absorbency is the time taken for a water drop to penetrate into the textile material. The wet ability of modal and cotton fabrics was determined as per AATCC test method 79 [17].
Dyeing and K/S analysis of modal and cotton fabrics: The dye ability of modal and cotton fabrics (woven and knitted) was investigated using natural and synthetic dyes. Dyeing was carried out at boil for two hours with a material to liquor ratio of 1:20 as per the established technique of dyeing for natural and synthetic dyes. The dyed samples were washed, soaped and dried [10, 18, 19]. Colorimetric data of natural and synthetic dyed modal and cotton fabrics were determined by AATCC Test Method -135 [20] using a Data color SF 600 plus spectrophotometer interfaced to a PC. Measurements were taken regarding colour presence, brightness, dullness and colour intensity with the specular component of the light excluded and the UV component included using illuminant D65 and 10° standard observer. Each fabric was folded once so as to give two thickness and average of five readings were taken each time.
Color fastness analysis of the modal and cotton fabrics: The natural and synthetic dyed samples were washed under condition IIIA of AATCC Test Method 124-2001 to determine the color change effect of dyed fabrics [21, 22]. Light fastness tests (AATCC, 2003), were carried out according to AATCC Test Method 16 E-1998 [23]. The samples were exposed to 5, 10 AFUs (AATCC Fading Unit) to determine the color change AATCC 16-1998 [24]. AATCC standardized crock meter was used to determine the rubbing fastness of natural dyed fabrics under wet and dry condition to assess the color change and staining property AATCC 61-1996 [25].
SEM analysis of silk and its mixed fabric: The surface morphology of modal and cotton fabrics was observed in SEM (JOEL JSM-6360 model microscope, Japan) [26, 27].
Results and Discussion
Physical properties of modal and cotton fabrics
The physical properties such as tensile strength, stiffness,
crease recovery angle and mean drape coefficient of woven fabric;
and bursting strength and mean drape coefficient of knitted fabric
for modal and cotton fabrics are shown in (Table 1). The modal
fabric shows higher values of tensile strength (431 N (warp) and
370 N (weft) – untreated) and crease recovery angle (117 (warp)
and 119 (weft) – untreated) respectively both in warp and in weft
directions compared to that of the cotton fabric. However, the
stiffness (0.99 cm (warp) and 0.97 cm (weft) – untreated) and
mean drape co-efficient (65%) are less in modal fabric over that
of cotton fabric. In the case of knitted fabric, cotton shows greater
values than that shown by modal fabric for bursting strength
and mean drape coefficient respectively. The modal fabric after
treatment with formic acid (98%) at different concentrations for
30 minutes at room temperature show changes in the physical
properties. The tensile strength and stiffness of formic acid
treated modal fabric are reduced marginally upto the formic acid
treatment of 4% (owm), and at 5% (owm) the loss is significant similar to that of cotton fabric. However, the crease recovery
and mean drape co-efficient of formic acid treated modal fabric
is increased considerably up to the concentration of 4% (owm),
and at 5% (owm) it is only marginal. In the case of knitted modal
fabric the bursting strength is decreased correspondingly with
respect to the concentration of formic acid, while the mean drape
co-efficient is increased considerably upto 4% (owm).
Absorbency of modal and cotton fabrics
The data of absorbency of modal and cotton woven and
knitted fabrics are given in (Table 2). It is seen from this table
that the overall absorbency exhibited by woven fabric (modal
and cotton) is more than those of knitted fabric. The absorbency
is more for cotton than that of modal fabrics both in the case
of woven and knitted fabrics. In the formic acid treated modal
fabrics (woven and knitted) the water drops are absorbed in
less time which indicates that as the concentration of formic acid
increases, the absorbency on the modal fabric is also increased
considerably upto the concentration of 4% (owm), and at 5%
(owm) the increase is only marginal. The similar trend is also
seen for cotton fabrics.
K/S values of Modal and Cotton Fabrics
The K/S values of the dyes such as annatto, onion,
pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, barberry, reactive dye, and
sulphur dye applied on formic acid treated modal and cotton
(woven and knitted) fabrics are given in (Table 3). The formic
acid treatment was identified effective at the concentration of
4% (owm), hence that condition was considered as optimum
parameter. For dyeing, the modal and cotton fabrics were given
formic acid treatment only with 4% (owm) concentration for 30
minutes at ambient temperature. From this table it is observed
that woven fabrics show overall high K/S values than the knitted
fabrics. The K/S value of formic acid treated modal fabric is high
when compared those of the cotton fabrics (woven and knitted).
The higher K/S value on the formic acid treated modal fabric is
influenced by the higher swelling action of formic acid treatment.
Among the dyes applied on the formic acid treated modal fabrics,
there is only a marginal differences in the K/S values; however
reactive dye shows the maximum K/S values. Even though
the woven and knitted modal and cotton fabrics posses only a
small differences in the K/S values for the dyes (annatto, onion,
pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, bar berry, reactive dye, and
sulphur dye) applied on these fabrics; there is a uniform trend
maintained in these values and the values of woven fabric give
an edge over the knitted fabric. The untreated (no formic acid)
modal and cotton fabrics were dyed only with the representative
dye (reactive). From the (Table 4). It is evident that the overall
K/S values of formic acid (4% owm) treated modal and cotton
fabrics are significant compared with that of the untreated dyed
fabrics.
Fastness properties of Modal and Cotton Fabrics
The fastness properties (wash, light and rubbing) of natural
and synthetic (indigo, kum kum, bar berry, reactive dye (M),
reactive dye (H) and sulphur) dyes applied on formic acid treated (4% owm) modal and cotton fabrics (woven and knitted) are
given in (Table 4). The wash fastness of the formic acid treated
modal fabrics is good as compared with other fatnesses like
light and rubbing fastness properties. The good wash fastness
property is due to the strong polymeric reaction of the fabric
materials and the also of the dye. It is obvious that the light
fastness and rubbing fastness properties are moderate to poor
only due to their behavior towards these applications. From this
(table 4), it is also evident that the overall fastness properties of
the formic acid treated and dyed modal fabrics are higher than
that of the no formic acid treatment fabrics. The similar trend is
also seen for cotton fabrics.
SEM Analysis of Modal and Cotton Fabrics
The analysis of SEM images of formic acid treated and dyed
modal and cotton fabrics are given in the representative (Figures
1 & 2). (Figure 1) reveals about the micrographs of formic acid
treated and dyed modal fabrics. (Figure 2) reveals about the
micrographs of formic acid treated and dyed cotton fabrics.
These figures show clearly about the effect of formic acid in
the corresponding materials and the subsequent dyeing. There
is a clear difference between the no formic treated & dyed; and
formic acid treated & dyed (indigo) modal fabrics (woven and
knitted). Similar trend is also seen for the cotton fabrics. These
micrographs reveal about the enhancement of dyeing after formic
acid treatment on modal and cotton fabrics respectively.
Conclusion
The tensile strength of modal fabric both in warp and weft
direction and crease recovery angle are very good in comparison
with cotton fabric. Whereas the stiffness [warp & weft] and mean
drape co-efficient are less in modal fabric over that of cotton
fabric. In the case of knitted fabric, cotton shows greater values
than that shown by modal fabric for bursting strength and mean
drape coefficient respectively. The modal fabric after treatment
with formic acid (98%) at the concentration of 4% (owm) for
Figure 1: Formic acid treated and indigo dyed modal fabrics.
Figure 2: Formic acid treated and indigo dyed cotton fabrics.
30 minutes at room temperature gives considerable changes
in the physical properties under the favorable limit suitable for
the application. The absorbency is improved in the modal fabric
(woven and knitted) after treatment with formic acid (98%) at the
concentration of 4% (owm) for 30 minutes at room temperature
similar to that of cotton fabric.
The K/S values of the dyes such as annatto, onion, pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, barberry, reactive dye, and sulphur dye applied on formic acid treated modal (woven and knitted) fabrics are good compared with that of no formic acid treated one, similar to the trend of cotton fabrics. The fastness properties (wash, light, & rubbing) of the formic acid treated and dyed (annatto, onion, pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, bar berry, reactive dye and sulphur dye) woven and knitted modal fabrics are comparatively good over that of no formic acid treated one, as that of cotton fabrics. In general, the overall fastness properties are more in formic acid treated fabrics. SEM micrographs reveal that the formic acid treated & dyed modal and cotton fabrics give good dyeing effect compared with that of no formic acid treated one.
The K/S values of the dyes such as annatto, onion, pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, barberry, reactive dye, and sulphur dye applied on formic acid treated modal (woven and knitted) fabrics are good compared with that of no formic acid treated one, similar to the trend of cotton fabrics. The fastness properties (wash, light, & rubbing) of the formic acid treated and dyed (annatto, onion, pomogranate, indigo, myrobalan, bar berry, reactive dye and sulphur dye) woven and knitted modal fabrics are comparatively good over that of no formic acid treated one, as that of cotton fabrics. In general, the overall fastness properties are more in formic acid treated fabrics. SEM micrographs reveal that the formic acid treated & dyed modal and cotton fabrics give good dyeing effect compared with that of no formic acid treated one.
Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank the Management and Principal,
PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore for given the permission
and providing the necessary infrastructure. The authors also
thank The Head, Department of Applied Science, PSG CT for the
kind help rendered in the completion of this work.
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