Kung Wong Lau, Chi Wai Kan and Pui Yuen Lee
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of stereoscopic virtual technology in textile and fashion studies in particular to the area of chemical experiment. The development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of stereoscopic virtual technology in textile and fashion studies in particular to the area of chemical experiment. The development of a designed virtual platform, called Stereoscopic Chemical Laboratory (SCL), is introduced.
Design/methodology/approach
To implement the suggested educational approaches of SCL, a set of teaching and learning materials with emphasis on the application methods was revised from the existing subjects. The architecture of SCL includes building of virtual objects with the Autodesk software Maya and designing of interactivity by using Unity, a game engine system. Prototype version of the SCL has been passed to selected academic colleagues and students for further evaluation and application feedback.
Findings
Textile students can conduct laboratory experiments associated with coloration and finishing of textile technologies in a stereoscopic 3D and multisensory laboratory, and hence enhance their learning experience. With the use of SCL, students can learn relevant experiment tools, experimental processes, procedures, and safety and health precautions.
Originality/value
There is very limited educational or training approach in applying stereoscopic virtual reality in teaching activities. In the area of textile experiment, the authors could say it is virtual and does not exist in current research domains.
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Chang-E Zhou, Haidan Niu, Qing Zhang, Huixia Li, Chi Wai Kan, Chang Sun, Jinmei Du and Changhai Xu
This paper aims to prepare an associative thickener base on two polyacrylate-based copolymers, which can be used for digital printing of nylon carpet with enhanced performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to prepare an associative thickener base on two polyacrylate-based copolymers, which can be used for digital printing of nylon carpet with enhanced performance.
Design/methodology/approach
An associative thickener was prepared by compounding two polyacrylate-based copolymers, cationic starch and polyacrylic acid; and mediated by polyethylene glycol and polyacrylamide crosslinker. The formulation of the associative thickener was optimized by using the orthogonal array testing strategy. The stability of the associative thickener was investigated by measuring effects of temperature, electrolytes, storage time and auxiliaries on viscosity. The associative thickener was compared with a commercial thickener by evaluating their performance in digital printing of nylon carpet.
Findings
The associative thickener provided same color strength and fastness in the printing of nylon carpet as the commercial one, but was more easily washed off for a better hand feeling of the printed carpet.
Practical implications
The prepared associative thickener can be applied for digital printing of nylon carpet.
Originality/value
The associative thickener can be facilely prepared from commercially available chemicals and suitable for digital printing of nylon carpet.
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Songmin Shang, Enling Hu, Patrick Poon, Shouxiang Jiang, Chi Wai Kan and Rena Koo
In this study, the foam dyeing technology was applied to dye cotton knitted fabric for achieving the surface-dyed result. The T-shirt made by this surface-dyed fabric could easily…
Abstract
In this study, the foam dyeing technology was applied to dye cotton knitted fabric for achieving the surface-dyed result. The T-shirt made by this surface-dyed fabric could easily obtain the wash-out effect after garment laundering. The pigment dyeing performances in foam dyeing were system studied. Colour strength, colourfastness and serviceability of fabrics dyed with the methods of foam-padding and liquid-padding were evaluated and compared. Results show that surface dyeing for cotton-knitted fabric with foam media could overcome the shortcoming of poor penetration in foam dyeing method, and turn the poor penetration into the superiority for obtaining the surface-dyed result. The serviceability such as water absorption and handle property was also well improved in foam dyeing method. Finally, the advantages of energy saving and reducing chemical usage were implemented throughout the dyeing process.
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Chi-wai Kan, Kwong Chan and Marcus Chun-wah Yuen
Wool fabrics were treated with plasma under the influence of different plasma gases were assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and…
Abstract
Wool fabrics were treated with plasma under the influence of different plasma gases were assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Internal Reflectance mode analysis (FTIR-ATR). Experimental results showed clearly that the surface feature and chemical compositions of LTP treated wool were varied much dependable on the nature of plasma gas used and the variations were finally discussed.
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Textiles are a suitable substrate for the growth of micro-organisms, especially at appropriate humidities and temperatures, when in contact with the human body. Due to the…
Abstract
Textiles are a suitable substrate for the growth of micro-organisms, especially at appropriate humidities and temperatures, when in contact with the human body. Due to the awareness that healthcare textiles enhance the quality of life, antimicrobials and antibacterial textiles have received, and continue to receive, considerable attention from researchers due to their potential to provide quality and safety benefits to many products. However, antimicrobial agents and antibacterial finishing processes have not grown in number because of possible harmful or toxic effects on humans and the environment. The application of rechargeable, safe antimicrobial agents and eco-friendly antibacterial finishing processes are being studied. This paper analyzes the disadvantages and advantages of antimicrobials and antibacterial finishing processes and finds suitable antimicrobials and antibacterial finishing processes for cotton. It is anticipated that the review will be a good resource for those who are interested in antimicrobials and biocidal textile materials, and will help to stimulate further interest in this area.
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Shen-kung Liao, Huo-yuan Chen and Chi-wai Kan
This research focuses on the effects of paste pre-treatment, concentration of sodium alginate, steaming conditions for colour yield and outline sharpness of ink-jet printing. The…
Abstract
This research focuses on the effects of paste pre-treatment, concentration of sodium alginate, steaming conditions for colour yield and outline sharpness of ink-jet printing. The results show that (a) coating is a better method than padding for paste pre-treatment of cotton fabrics; (b) 102°C × 12min is the best condition for steaming; (c) pattern sharpness is better when the concentration of sodium alginate increases; and (d) color yield diminishes when the concentration exceeds 20g/L. In other words, when the optimum concentration of sodium alginate is 20g/L, the amount of ejected ink can reach as much as 260%. In this study, four reactive dyes (i.e. cyan, magenta, yellow and black) of different chemical constitutions were used, and the colour fastness results against washing and light reveal an acceptable rating above grade 4.
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Martina Glogar and Sanja Ercegovic Razic
In the field of research on the application of digital printing to textile materials, there are still many research issues that arise from the very demanding interaction of…
Abstract
Purpose
In the field of research on the application of digital printing to textile materials, there are still many research issues that arise from the very demanding interaction of digital printing technology and the complex, heterogeneous surface system of textile materials. This is precisely why the area of pre-treatment of textile materials is in need of research, and the purpose of this research was to establish the level of influence of physical and chemical activation of the textile surface with plasma and the possibility of improving the quality of the print and colour reproduction.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper deals with the possibility of applying argon and oxygen cold low-pressure plasma in the processing of cellulose knitted fabrics, with the aim of improving the quality of the print and colour reproduction in digital pigment inkjet printing. The selected raw material samples were 100% raw cotton and lyocell. After plasma treatment, the samples were printed by digital ink jet printing with water-based pigment printing ink. An analysis of the micromorphological structure of untreated and plasma-treated samples before and after printing was carried out, and a comparative analysis of the colour of the printed elements was carried out depending on the pre-treatment.
Findings
The conducted research showed a positive influence of plasma pre-treatment on the coverage of the fibre surface with pigments, the uniformity of pigment distribution along the fibre surface and the uniformity of the distribution of the polymeric binder layer. This has a positive effect on colour reproduction. Also, certain improvements in colourfastness to washing were obtained.
Research limitations/implications
Considering the complexity of the topic, although exhaustive, this research is not sufficient in itself, but opens up new questions and gives ideas for further research that must be carried out in this area.
Practical implications
Also, this kind of research contributes to the possibility of adopting the idea of industrial plasma transformation, as an ecologically sustainable functionalisation of textiles, which has not yet been established.
Originality/value
This research is certainly a contribution to the establishment of acceptable textile pre-treatment methods in the field of digital printing, as one of the key quality factors in digital textile printing (DTP). Considering the still large number of obstacles and unanswered questions encountered in the field of digital printing on textiles, this kind of research is a strong contribution to the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the complex interaction between printing ink and textile.