DOI : 10.17577/IJERTV3IS030142
- Open Access
- Total Downloads : 636
- Authors : Dr. J. Jeyakodi Moses, Dr. R. Radhika
- Paper ID : IJERTV3IS030142
- Volume & Issue : Volume 03, Issue 03 (March 2014)
- Published (First Online): 08-04-2014
- ISSN (Online) : 2278-0181
- Publisher Name : IJERT
- License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Study on Dyed Modal, Cotton and Modal/Cotton (50:50) Blend Fabrics for Assessing Antibacterial, Ant odor and UV Protection Behaviors
Dr. J. Jeyakodi Moses
#Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641 004
Dr. R. Radhika
* Associate Professor, Department of Costume Design and Fashion Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641 018
Abstract – Modal fabric is a cent percent bio-based rather than natural made from the spun reconstituted cellulose of beech trees. Modal fabrics resist fading, shrinking and the buildup of hard water mineral deposits even after repeated washing. Clothing today is expected to be insect repellent and antimicrobial to protect human beings from infection, UV light, chemical and biological agents. In this study, woven and knitted modal (100%), cotton (100%), and modal / cotton (50
: 50) blended fabrics were dyed with (kum kum, indigo and barberry) and synthetic dyed (reactive (H & M), and sulphur) dyes. They are then subjected for assessing antibacterial property, anti odor behavior, and UV protection performance.
-
INTRODUCTION
Textiles and clothing should fulfill the functional, comfort, aesthetic safety and ecological requirements. Apparel makers and the finishing industry are thus faced with a daunting job of producing superior fabrics that are technically advanced(4). Increasing concern over damage caused by exposure to microbes, chemicals, pesticides, UV light and pollutants in the last few years, has heightened the demand for protective garments. In many cases, protective garments have actually been known to impair user performance (3).
Cotton is a common material used for the production of textiles and garments suitable for various applications such as sportswear, functional wear, leisure wear, innerwear and other garments. Since cotton is non-allergic it doesnt irritate sensitive skin and preferred when worn close to the skin. It can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton and linen. Rayon is used in the manufacturing of many apparels(9,5,13). Modal is a 100 % biodegradable fabric made from the spun reconstituted cellulose of Beach trees. This fabric is bio-based, rather than natural. Fabric made from modal drape well and do not pile like cotton. It dyes like cotton and is color fast when washed in water. Modal fabrics resist fading, shrinking and the buildup of hard water mineral deposits even after repeated washing (15,12,14).
Antimicrobial property of textiles is being considered to be an important and inevitable parameter for garments which are in direct contact with human body. Natural textiles in contact with the human body offer an ideal environment for microbial growth. Microbial infestations possess danger to both living and non-living matters. The consumers are now increasingly aware of the hygienic life style and there is a necessity and expectation of a wide range of textile products finished with antimicrobial properties (11).
Aroma finish is the process by which textile materials are treated with the pleasant odor producing essential oils and aromatic compounds so that the wearer gets some beneficial effects. The pleasant smells created by the essential oils have pharmacological effects like antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and mood elevating effects (16).
Skin cells that receive sunlight absorb harmful UV radiation, and slough off to excrete harmful UV from the body. But the absorption of too much UVR leads to scars that can induce diseases like skin cancer (10). In this research paper, the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50:50) blended fabrics dyed with natural and synthetic dyes were assessed for their antimicrobial, anti odor and UV protection behaviors.
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
-
Materials
-
Textile fabric substrate. The textile fabrics used in this study were as follows:
-
Woven Fabrics
-
Modal (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) 27, GSM – 146,
ends per inch 84, picks per inch 94,
-
Cotton (100%) : yarn count (both warp and weft) 30, GSM – 137.2,
ends per inch 94, picks per inch 74; and
-
Modal / Cotton (50 : 50) blend : yarn count (both warp and weft) 30, GSM – 142.7, ends per inch 94, picks per inch 77.
-
-
Knitted Fabrics
-
Modal (100%) : yarn count 27.5, GSM 137, loop lengtp.6 mm,
-
Cotton (100%) : yarn count 30, GSM – 142, loop lengtp.6 mm; and
-
Modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend : yarn count 28.4, GSM 141.7, loop lengtp.6 mm.
-
-
Dyes
-
Natural dyes
The natural dyes used in this study are; i) kum kum, ii) indigo, and iii) bar berry.
-
Synthetic dyes
The commercial synthetic dyes used in this study are; i) Reactive dye (H), ii) reactive dye (M) and iii) sulphur dye.
-
-
Chemicals and auxiliaries. The chemicals and auxiliaries mentioned elsewhere in this work are used as Analytical (AR) Grade.
-
Methods
-
Pretreatment on modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50
: 50) blended fabrics. The textile fabrics (woven and knitted) such as modal (100%), cotton (100%) and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend were pretreated (scouring and bleaching) as per the established technique (5, 6).
-
Dyeing of modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics. The dyeability of fabrics (woven and knitted) such as modal (100%), cotton (100%) and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend 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 (8, 18). The dyed samples were washed, soaped and dried.
-
Antibacterial finishing and testing. The modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics were finished with antibacterial agent and the finished fabrics were tested according to AATCC standard methods against the standard test strains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The processed fabrics were finished with the commercial antibacterial agent. The antibacterial agent Super FX AM 1000 was finished on the woven and knitted fabrics by diluting one portion of the antibacterial agent with one portion of water and the fabrics were immersed in the bath for 30 minutess at room temperature. The finished fabrics were squeezed and air dried. The finished fabrics were then tested for the antibacterial activity (7, 9) by using standard test methods.
-
Organoleptic evaluation of odor control – after 48 hrs (In house method). The male panelists were each given a control and anti odor treated fabric sample daily during the test period. Each sample was worn on a specific foot. At the end of the workday, the panelists reported to the lab to remove the samples, seal them in plastic bags, and receive the samples for the next day. Five odor judges made odor evaluations (1, 16) 14 hour after removal of the sample on each test day. The judges used individual scoring sheets and new sheets were used every day of the evaluation. The odor grading scale was 10 to 0 (no odor to very intense and disagreeable odor).
-
UV protection finishing. The UV protection finishing was given to the knitted and woven modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics and the finished fabrics were tested according to standard method. Super FX Anti UV was used for finishin the fabrics for UV protection property. The finishing agent was applied (Super FX Anti UV: 20-40 gpl, pH: 5, Pick up: 70 80%, Drying at:100 – 110C, Curing: 120 150C for 4 7 min)on the fabric by padding method. The finished samples were tested (2, 17) for the UV protection property according to AATCC 183- 1999.
-
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
-
Antibacterial property of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed fabrics.
Indigo Bar berry
Cold reactive Sulphur
Kumkum
Hot reactive
Antibacterial activity (Zone of Bacteriostasis mm)Staphylococcus aureus
Knitted
Woven
Modal Cotton Cotton Modal Cotton Cotton
/ /
modal modal
Value
The data of antibacterial property of modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) fabrics (woven and knitted) dyed with kum kum, indigo, bar berry, reactive dye (H), reactive dye (M) and sulphur dye for staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli are given in Tables 1a and 1b respectively. The antimicrobial activity of these samples was assessed by qualitative test method (plate 1). All these dyed samples showed a higher zone of inhibition against staphylococcus aureus when compared to escherichia coli. In general, the modal fabric shows a higher zone of inhibition (both by staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli) followed by modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabric and cotton fabric (woven and knitted). The reactive (H) dye shows maximum inhibition followed by reactive (M) dye and sulphur dye in synthetic dye category whereas indigo gives maximum inhibition followed by bar berry and kum dum in the natural dye category on modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics (woven and knitted) exhibited by staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli. The graphical representation is as shown in Figures 1a and 1b respectively.
Table 1a. Qualitative antibacterial assessment of dyed fabrics against
staphylococcus aureus.
S.
No
.
Textile fabrics
Antibacterial activity (Zone of Bacteriostasis mm)
Staphylococcus aureus
Fabrics dyed with natural dyes
Fabrics dyed with synthetic
Dyes
Kum kum
Indigo
Bar berry
Hot reactive
Cold reactive
Sulphur
1
Woven
Modal
33
37
35
45
43
39
2
Cotton
27
33
32
39
38
35
3
Cotton / modal
29
34
30
41
39
37
4
Knitted
Modal
32
35
33
43
41
38
5
Cotton
26
31
28
38
36
34
6
Cotton / modal
28
33
30
40
38
36
Figure 1a. Qualitative antibacterial assessment of dyed fabrics against staphylococcus aureus.
Table 1b. Qualitative antibacterial assessment of dyed fabrics against Escherichia coli
S.
No.
Textile fabrics
Antibacterial activity (Zone of Bacteriostasis mm) Escherichia coli
Fabrics dyed with natural dyes
Fabrics dyed with synthetic dyes
Kum kum
Indigo
Bar berry
Hot reactive
Cold reactive
Sulphur
1
Woven
Modal
30
35
32
43
40
38
2
Cotton
27
30
28
34
33
32
3
Cotton / modal
28
31
30
38
36
35
4
Knitted
Modal
28
34
30
40
38
37
5
Cotton
25
29
26
32
30
30
6
Cotton / modal
26
30
29
36
34
33
Antibacterial activity (Zone of
Bacteriostasis mm) Escherichia coli
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Modal Cotton Cotton Modal Cotton Cotton
/ /
modal modal
Woven
Knitted
Kumkum
Hot reactive
Indigo Bar berry
Cold reactive Sulphur
Value
Figure 1b. Qualitative antibacterial assessment of dyed fabrics against
Escherichia coli.
Plate 1. Antibacterial activity of dyed fabrics by disc diffusion method Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
-
Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics.
The fabrics (modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend woven and knitted) finished with the anti odor agent
were assessed by subjective evaluation technique performed by five judges (for men, women and children) of different age categories and the odor grading was rated between 0 and 10. Based on the performances of the natural and synthetic dyes the dyeing was carried out on the suitable materials. Accordingly in the woven fabrics, modal was dyed with barberry, cotton with sulphur and modal/cotton (50 : 50) blend with indigo dyes whereas in the knitted fabrics, modal was dyed with kum kum, cotton with reactive [M] and modal/cotton (50 : 50) blend with reactive [H] dyes respectively. The data of anti odor assessment performed by men, women and children on the dyed and finished modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 :
50) blended woven and knitted fabrics are given in Tables 2a, 2b and 2c respectively.
-
Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics (assessed by men)
The data of anti odor assessment performed by men on the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics are given in Table 2a. The fabrics were evaluated by five judges (men) of different age categories, from 25 years to 50 years with non uniform heights and weights. Among the men fabrics the maximum average anti odor assessment value is for modal fabric dyed by barberry which gives the rating of 8- 9 (very good to excellent) followed by modal / cotton (50 :
50) blend dyed by indigo (rating of 8; very good) and cotton dyed by sulphur (rating of 7 8; good to very good). Whereas in the knitted fabrics the trend is quite changed. The modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend dyed by reactive [H] gives the rating of 9 (excellent) followed bycotton (7-8; good to very good) dyed by reactive [M] and modal (7 ; good) dyed by kum kum. The average anti odor behavior of these fabrics is in general very good as revealed by the Table 2a. The graphical representation is as shown in Figure 2a.
Table 2a. Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics(assessed by men)
Asses ment
by judges
Dyed and finished woven fabric.
Dyed and finished Knitted Fabric.
Moda l (Bar berry)
Cotto n (Sul phur)
Moda l /
Cotto n (Indig
o)
Moda l (Kum Kum)
Cotto n (Reac tive[ M])
Modal/ Cotton (React ive [H])
A
B
A
B
C
D
C
D
E
F
E
F
Jud I
9
9
7
8
9
8
7
5
6
7
8
9
Jud II
9
8
8
6
9
8
8
7
7
8
9
9
JudIII
9
8
8
6
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
JudIV
8
7
7
7
7
8
6
6
7
6
9
8
JudV
9
7
8
7
8
7
7
8
7
9
9
9
Ave
9
8
8
7
8
8
7
7
7
8
9
9
A => Height 178 cm, Weight 82 Kg, Age 50 years B => Height 174 cm, Weight 70 Kg, Age 35 years C => Height 174 cm, Weight 73 Kg, Age 45 years D => Height 170 cm, Weight 68 Kg, Age 30 years E => Height 172 cm, Weight 72 Kg, Age 40 years F => Height 168 cm, Weight 65 Kg, Age 25 years 0 Repulsive ; 1 Very Poor ; 2 Poor ; 3 – Poorly Fair ; 4 Fair 5 Acceptable ; 6
Fairly Good ; 7 Good ; 8 Very Good ; 9
Excellent ; 10 Ideal
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
A B A B C D C D E F E F
Modal Cotton
Modal /
Cotton (Indigo)
Modal Cotton
Dyed Woven Fabric
Dyed Knitted Fabric
Judge I Judge II Judge III Judge IV Judge V AVERAGE
Modal /
Cotton (Reactive [H])
(Kum Kum) (Reactive
[M])(Barberry) (Sulphur)
Figure 2a. Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 :50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics (assessed by men).
-
Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics (assessed by women)
The data of anti odor assessment performed by women on the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics are given in Table 2b. The fabrics were evaluated by five judges (women) of different age categories, from 25 years to 48 years with non uniform heights and weights. Among the woven fabrics the maximum average anti odor assessment value is for modal (dyed by barberry) and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend (dyed by indigo) that gives the rating of 8 (very good) followed by cotton dyed by sulphur (rating of 7; good). Whereas in the knitted fabrics the trend is different. The modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend dyed by reactive [H] gives the rating of 8-9 (very good to excellent) followed by cotton (7-8; good to very good) dyed by reactive [M] and modal (7 ; good) dyed by kum kum. From Table 2b it is clear that the anti odor behaviour of modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) woven and knitted fabrics is very good when dyed by suitable dyes and finished accordingly. The graphical representation is as shown in Figure 2b.
Table 2b. Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50:50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics ( assessed by women )
Assessme nt by Judges
Dyed and finished woven fabric
Dyed and finished knitted fabric
Mod al (Bar berr y)
Cott on (Sul phur
)
Moda l / Cotto n (Indig o)
Mod al (Ku m Ku m)
Cotto n (Re activ
e [M])
Moda l / Cotto n (Reac ti ve
[H])A
B
A
B
C
D
C
D
E
F
E
F
Judge I
9
8
8
6
8
7
7
7
7
8
9
8
Judge II
8
7
7
8
8
8
7
7
7
6
9
7
Judge III
8
7
8
7
9
8
7
8
7
8
9
8
Judge IV
8
7
7
6
6
7
7
7
6
9
9
9
Judge V
9
9
7
8
8
8
8
7
9
8
8
8
Average
8
8
7
7
8
8
7
7
7
8
9
8
A => Height 172 cm, Weight 70 Kg, Age 48 years B => Height 160 cm, Weight 55 Kg, Age 35years C => Height 168 cm, Weight 65 Kg, Age 45 years D => Height 164 cm, Weight 60 Kg, Age 32years
E => Height 162 cm, Weight 62 Kg, Age 40 years F => Height 165 cm, Weight 58 Kg, Age 25 years 0 Repulsive ; 1 Very Poor ; 2 Poor ; 3
– Poorly Fair ; 4 Fair ; 5 Acceptable; 6
Fairly Good ; 7 Good ; 8 Very Good ; 9
Excellent ; 10 Ideal
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
A B A B C D C D E F E F
Modal Cotton
(Barberry) (Sulphur)
Dyed Woven Fabric
Dyed Knitted Fabric
Judge I Judge II Judge III Judge IV Judge V AVERAGE
Modal / Modal Cotton Modal /
Cotton (Kum (Reactive Cotto (Indigo) Kum) [M]) (Reactive
[H])Figure 2b. Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50:50) blended woven and knitted dyed and
anti odor finished fabrics ( assessed by women ).
-
Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics (assessed by children).
The data of anti odor assessment performed by children on the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics are given in Table 2c. The fabrics were evaluated by five judges (children) of different age categories, from 5 years to 14 years with non uniform heights and weights. Among the children fabrics the maximum average anti odor assessment value is for modal (dyed by barberry) and cotton / modal (50 : 50) blend (dyed by indigo) that gives the rating of 7-8 (good to very good) followed by cotton dyed by sulphur (rating of 7; good). Whereas different behavior is obtained in the knitted fabrics. The modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend dyed by reactive [H] gives the rating of 7-8 (good to very good) followed by cotton (7; good) dyed by reactive [M] and modal (6-7 ; fairly good to good) dyed by kum kum. From Table 2c it is seen that there is a good anti odor behavior on modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend woven and knitted fabrics when dyed by suitable dyes and finished accordingly. The graphical representation is as shown in Figure 2c.
Table 2c. Anti odor behavior the modal, cotton and modal / cotton ( 50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics (assessed by children)
Assessme nt
by Judges
Dyed Woven Fabric
Dyed Knitted Fabric
Mod al (Bar berry
)
Cotto n (Sul phur)
Moda l / Cotto n
(Indig o)
Moda l (Kum Kum)
Cotton (Reacti ve [M])
Modal
/ Cotton (Reacti ve
[H])A
B
A
B
C
D
C
D
E
F
E
F
Judge I
9
7
7
7
9
8
7
7
8
7
8
8
Judge I
7
7
8
6
8
6
7
5
7
6
8
9
Judge III
8
8
6
6
7
7
6
7
7
7
6
7
Judge IV
8
7
7
7
8
8
7
6
6
6
7
8
Judge V
9
7
6
7
8
7
7
6
7
8
7
7
AVERAGE
8
7
7
7
8
7
7
6
7
7
7
8
A => Height 162 cm, Weight 48 Kg, Age 14 years B => Height 128 cm, Weight 25 Kg, Age 9 years C => Height 145 cm, Weight 36 Kg, Age 12 years D => Height 105 cm, Weight 20 Kg, Age 7 years E => Height 134 cm, Weight 30 Kg, Age 10 years F => Height 92 cm, Weight 15 Kg, Age 5 years
0 Repulsive ; 1 Very Poor ; 2 Poor ; 3 – Poorly Fair ; 4 Fair ; 5 Acceptable 6 Fairly Good ; 7 Good ; 8 Very Good ; 9 Excellent
; 10 Ideal
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
A B A B C D C D E F E F
Modal Cotton Modal / Modal Cotton Modal / (Barberry) (Sulphur) Cotton (Kum (Reactive Cotton
(Indigo) Kum) [M]) (Reactive
[H])Dyed Woven Fabric
Dyed Knitted Fabric
Judge I Judge II Judge III Judge IV Judge V AVERAGE
Figure 2c. Anti odor behavior of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 :50) blended woven and knitted dyed anti odor finished fabrics ( assessed by children )
-
Antiodour retention behavior and release rate of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics.
The concentration of the anti odor agent was measured by UV / visible spectrophotometer by extracting the anti odor agent from the finished fabric sample using ethanol. The extracted content was diluted to 1:10 ratio with distilled water. The absorbance of the diluted solution was measured at 206 nm. The release rate of the fragrance was calculated according to the following formula;
350
300
250
200
150
100
Release rate of fragrance = Immediate conc. Conc. After 4 days
X 100
50
0
Modal
Cotton
Modal /
Modal
Cotton
Modal /
Immediate conc.
The table and the graphical representation is as
(Barberry)
(Sulphur)
Cotton (Indigo)
(Kum Kum) (Reactive
M]
Cotton (Reactive [H])
shown in the Table 3 and Figure 3.
The concentration of antiodor agent was tested on woven and knitted modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50 blend) fabrics and the rate of release of the fragrance was determined as mg/g and as percentage respectively. The woven modal fabric dyed with bar berry shows maximum concentration of the antiodor agent and rate of release of the antiodor agent. Similarly,in the knitted fabric also, modal dyed by kum kum shows the higher cnecentration and the rate of release of the anti odor agent.
Anti odour retention behaviour (mg/g) and release rate (%)of the dyed and finished fabrics.
Dyed and finished woven fabric.
Dyed and finished knitted fabric.
Mo dal (Ba rber ry)
Cott on (Sul phur
)
Modal
/ Cotto n (Indig o)
Moda l (Kum Kum)
Cott on (Rea ctive [M])
Modal / Cotton (Reactive [M])
Retent ion of anti odour agent on the fabric s (mg/g
)
Im m ed iat el
y
325
.87
312.
59
297.7
1
308.7
8
298.
54
285.47
Af ter 4
da ys
294
.58
267.
48
247.9
6
267.7
5
258.
63
257.15
Af ter 8
da ys
256
.78
217.
72
227.7
2
223.4
2
238.
41
206.87
Relea se rate of
anti odour agent from the fabric
s (%)
Af ter 4
da ys
18.
9
14.4
13.6
14.9
13.8
12.7
Af ter 8
da ys
21.
7
18.6
17.9
18.2
18.4
17.0
Tble 3. Antiodor retention behavior and release rate of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton ( 50:50 ) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics.
Dyed Woven Fabric Dyed Knitted Fabric
Retention of anti odour agent on the fabrics (mg/g) Immediately Retention of anti odour agent on the fabrics (mg/g) After 4 days Retention of anti odour agent on the fabrics (mg/g) After 8 days Release rate of anti odour agent from the fabrics (%) After 4 days Release rate of anti odour agent from the fabrics (%) After 8 days
Figure 3. Anti odour retention behavior and release rate of the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50:50) blended woven and knitted dyed and anti odor finished fabrics.
-
UV protection testing on modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and UV protection finished fabrics.
The UV transmittance of the finished fabric samples (modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended were determined using UV visible spectrophotometer. The standard chart for determining the UV protection factor is presented in the Table 4a, and the data of UV protection factor for the finished modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend woven and knitted fabrics are given in Table 4b.
-
Standard chart for UPF rating for the fabric
The standard chart for determining the UV protection factor as shown in Table 4a shows that the percentage of UV radiation blocked ranged from 93.3 – 95.9 for the rating between 15 to 24 gives good protection category. Similarly, percentage UV blocked ranged from 96 – 97.4 for UPF rating of 25 to 39 brings very good protection category. With percentage UV radiation blocked ranging from 97.5 or more, the UPF rating ranges from 40 to 50 leads excellent protection category.
Table 4a. Standard chart for UPF rating for the fabric
UPF Rating
Protection Category
% UV Radiation Blocked
15 to 24
Good
93.3 – 95.9
25 to 39
Very Good
96 – 97.4
40 to 50
Excellent
97.5 or more
-
UV protection factor for the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and UV protection finished fabrics.
-
The UV protection factor for the modal, cotton and modal
/ cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and UV protection finished fabrics is given in Table 4b. The UV protection factor (UPF) values of all the dyed and finished fabrics are between 29 and 39 respectively. The maximum UPF value (39) is given by woven modal fabric dyed with indigo (natural) dye whereas the minimum UPF value (29) is seen in knitted cotton fabric dyed by barberry (natural) dye. In general woven modal dyed and finished fabric shows maximum UPF rating followed by modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend and cotton fabrics respectively. The same trend is also followed for knitted fabrics, however woven fabrics have an edge over the knitted fabrics. From these data (Table 4a) it is clear that there is a very good UV protection category as revealed by UPF rating (29 39) for the dyed and finished modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50
: 50) woven and knitted fabrics (Table 4b). Therefore based on this, as indicated in the Table 4a the percent UV radiation blockage by these fabrics (dyed and finished modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) woven and knitted fabrics) (Table 4b) would be between 96% and 97.4%. The graphical representation is as shown in the Figure 4.
Table 4b. UV Protection factor for the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50)
blended woven and knitted dyed and UV protection finished fabrics
S
. N
o
.
Dyes
UPF rating of the dyed and finished fabrics
Woven
Knitted
M
od al
Cot ton
Moda l / Cotto n
(50 :
50)
M
oda l
Cott on
Mod al / Cotto n
(50 :
50)
1
Kum kum
36
33
35
34
31
32
2
Indig o
39
34
36
35
31
33
3
Bar berry
33
31
32
32
29
30
4
Reac tive Dye (H)
34
30
32
31
30
31
5
Reac tive dye (M)
34
30
31
31
30
30
6
Sulp hur Dye
33
30
32
30
30
30
45 1 Kum kum 2 Indigo
5 Reactive dye (M) 6 Sulphur Dye
40 3 Bar berry 4 Reactive Dye (H)
35
30
Value
25
20
15
10
5
0
Modal Cotton Modal /
Cotton (50
: 50)
Modal Cotton Modal /
Cotton (50
: 50)
Woven Knitted
UPF Rating of the Finished Fabric
Figure 4. UV Protection factor for the modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended woven and knitted dyed and UV protection finished fabrics.
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CONCLUSION
In this work, the modal and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics (woven and knitted) were studied and compared with cotton fabric. The conclusions drawn from the study are summarized below:
The dyed samples had a higher zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus when compared to Escherichia coli. In general, the modal fabric shows a higher zone of inhibition (both by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) followed by modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend fabric and cotton fabric (woven and knitted). The reactive (H) dye shows maximum inhibition followed by reactive (M) dye and sulphur dye in synthetic dye category whereas indigo gives maximum inhibition followed by bar berry and kum dum in the natural dye category on modal, cotton and modal / cotton (50 : 50) blended fabrics (woven and knitted) exhibited by staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli.
The anti odor assessment value (performed by men, women and children) is maximum for woven modal fabric dyed by barberry followed by modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend dyed by indigo and cotton dyed. In the knitted fabrics the trend is quite changed. The modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend dyed by reactive [H] dye gives more value followed by cotton dyed by reactive [M] and modal dyed by kum kum. The woven modal fabric dyed with bar berry shows maximum concentration of the antiodor agent and rate of release of the antiodor agent. In the knitted fabric also, modal dyed by kum kum shows the higher concentration and the rate of release of the anti odor agent.
The woven modal dyed and finished fabric shows maximum UPF rating followed by modal / cotton (50 : 50) blend and cotton fabrics respectively. The same trend is also followed for knitted fabrics, however woven fabrics have an edge over the knitted fabrics.
Based on these points, it is finally concluded that the modal fabric in its original (100%) form and also in blend with cotton (50 : 50) exhibited very good results, in no way inferior to cotton. Hence, the fabrics from modal and modal / cotton (50 :50) blend could be best utilized for different varieties of garments and textile products.
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REFERENCES
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to Dr.R.Rudramoorthy, Principal, PSG College of Technology, and HOD, Chemistry & Applied Chemistry, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – 4 ; and the management of Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641 018 for given the permission and the support rendered for this research work.