003060   Ishtaque S M;Das A;Vishnoi P (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016) : Influence of process parameters on packing density of open-end and core-sheath friction spun yarns. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 152-7.

The effect of opening roller speed, difference in drum speed and suction air pressure on packing density parameters of open-end and core-sheath friction spun yarns has been analyzed using the Box-Behnken method and response surface equations. The trends of change in packing density with process variables are found to be opposite to those of yarn diameter. Yarn diameter decreases, and helix angle and packing density increase with the increase in suction air pressure for open-end and core-sheath friction spun yarns. Core-sheath friction yarns have lower yarn diameter and helix angle, but higher packing density than open-end friction yarns.

5 illus, 6 tables, 14 ref

003059   Harlapur S F;Polytechnic S R V R; Ananthakrishnan T;Thirumalesh R (Textile Technology BVVS SRVR Polytechni Dep, , Guledugudd, Karnataka-587 203, Email: shantfh@rediffmail.com) : New approach for the measurement of fabric drapeability. J Text Ass 2010, 71(3), 137-42.

The aesthetic property of fabrics largely depends on drape. Drapeability is the phenomenon of fabrics fold formation which arises when a fabric hung down without the influence of external forces. Drape parameters are measured by cusick method during this measurement lateral area is neglected. Thus in this work in addition to measure of horizontal area in aerial view and lateral areas are measured to enhance measurements of as it adds one more dimensions. The computing of Alternate Drape parameter is carried out.

4 illus, 4 tables, 20 ref

003058   Gokarneshari N;Thangamani K (NO, NIFT TEA College & Knitwear Fashion, Timpur-641 606, Email: info@nifttea.ac.in) : Dimensional characteristics of polyester/spandex kinitted fabrics. J Text Ass 2011, 71(1), 23-6.

A number of process parameters influence the dimensional characteristics of polyester/spandex knitted fabrics. Knitted fabrics produced from different denier yams have been compared. The course per cm for polyester/spandex knitted fabrics is linearly related with reciprocal of loop length where as wales per can do not change with changes in loop length.

7 tables, 1 illus, 5 ref

003057   Gahlot M;Pant S (Clothing & Textiles Dep, College of Home Science, G.B. Pant Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Pant Nagar-263 145, Email: gahlotmanisha@rediffmail.com) : Properties of oak tasar/viscose blended yarns. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 187-9.

Oak tasar fibres and viscose rayon fibres have been blended in different proportions (65/35, 50/50 and 35/65) to produce a binary mixture of fibres for preparing 16 count yarns. Viscose and blended yarns have been tested for different properties such as yarn strength, elongation, tenacity, count strength product, unevenness and hairiness. It is observed that the yarn strength, elongation and tenacity values decrease with the increase in tasar silk fibre component in blend. Count strength product values are found to increase with the increase in viscose component in the blend and similar trend is also noticed for lea strength values. Maximum unevenness percentage is recorded in 65/35 tasar/viscose blended yarn followed by the yarns of 50/50 and 35/65 tasar/viscose in comparison to pure viscose yarn having minimum unevenness. Hairiness value and index increase with the increase in tasar silk fibre proportion in the blend.

^ssc2 tables, 5 ref

003056   Debnath S;Madhusoothanan M (NO, National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fibre Technology, 12 Regent Park, Kolkata-700 040, Email: sanjoydebnath@yahoo.com) : Thermal resistane and air permeability of jute-polypropylene blended needle-punched nowoven. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 122-31.

Thermal resistance and air permeability of needle-punched nonwoven fabric made from jute and polypropylene blends have been studied using the Box and Behnken factorial design to observe the effect of fabric weight, needling density and blend proportion on thickness, thermal resistance, specific thermal resistance, air permeability and sectional air permeability. Correlation matrix and cluster analysis have also been used to understand the relationship and grouping behaviour of the dependent and independent variables. It is observed that the thermal resistance and thickness increase but air permeability and sectional air permeability decrease significantly with the increase in fabric weight at all levels of jute contents. Significant (p <60> 0.05000) negative correlations r = - 0.67 and r = - 0.61 exist between needling density & thermal resistance and needling density & specific thermal resistance respectively. The highest thermal resistance and specific thermal resistance have been obtained at 430 g/m² fabric weight and 150 punches/cm² needling density. All dependent variables are highly influenced by fabric weight (Euclidean distance <126> 560) which is a different cluster identity.

7 illus, 5 tables, 16 ref

003055   Das B R;Ishtiaque S M;Rengasamy R S (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, Email: biswaiitd@gmail.com) : Migration behaviour of polyster/viscose blended ring yarns. J Text Ass 2010, 71(3), 113-17.

The migration in the ring spun blended yarn was studied in terms of three parameters-mean fibre position (MFP), mean migration intensity (MMI) and root mean square deviation (RMSD)- using tracer fibre technique. Five blend proportions; 100% polyester, 67/33 polyester/viscose, 50/50 polyester/viscose, 33/67 polyester/viscose and 100% viscose was considered for analysis of effect of blend proportion on the migration behaviour of ring spun yarns. Statistical analysis was carried out at 95% confidence level to bring out the specific trend executed by the yarns. Six number of contrasting tracer colours was established and exploited to study the migration behaviour with higher precision. The studied migration behaviour showed that the 100% polyester yarn has lower MFP and higher MMI than the 100% viscose yarn. The polyester/viscose 33/67 has highest value of RMSD than the other blends.

3 illus, 3 tables, 12 ref

003054   Chandra M;Sreenivasan S (NO, Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Adenwala Road Matunga, Mumabi-400 019) : Studies on improved Gossypium arboreum cotton: part-II yarn and fabric quality parameters. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 158-67.

Improved Gossypium arboreum and conventionally grown medium staple G. hirsutum cotton strains with similar fibre quality traits have been processed simultaneously to produce coarse and medium count carded yarn. The prepared yarn samples have been analysed for structural, unevenness, physico-mechanical and related traits. The most promising improved G. arboreum cotton (PA-255) along with the conventional G. hirsutum cotton (LRA-5166) have been processed to produce 30/2 denim fabric (shirting). The fabrics produced are than analysed for processing efficiency (in terms of dye uptake) and comfort properties. The analysis of data shows that the overall performance of improved G. arboreum cotton is at par with that of the conventional medium staple G. hirsutum cotton with respect to the yarn as well as fabrics quality. However, the improved G. arboreum cotton demonstrates significantly better results for yarn imperfections (especially neps) and processing efficiency.

7 tables, 26 ref

003053   Bhat P N;Nivedita S;Roy S (NO, Central Silk Technological Research Institute BTM Layout, Madiwala, Bangalore-560 068) : Use of sericin of Bombyx mori in the syntheis of silver nanoparticles, their characterization and application. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 168-71.

Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by the reduction of silver nitrate with sodium borohydride in an aqueous medium. The silk protein sericin, extracted from the cocoons of Bombyx mori silkworms, has been used as an effective capping agent. The stability of the colloidal suspension is confirmed by zeta potential measurement. The nanoparticles have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM and TEM analyses. They are found to be fairly spherical particles of average size 15nm. These particles also exhibit antimicrobial properties when applied onto silk fabric without significantly changing the colour of the fabric.

5 illus, 14 ref

003052   Banik S;Nag D;Debnath S (NO, National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fibre Technology, 12 Regent Park, Kolkata-700 040, Email: shyamalbanik@yahoo.com) : Utilization of pineapple leaf agro-waste for extraction of fibre and the residual biomass for vermiocmposting. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2011, 36(2), 172-7.

A special type of machine with metal knife scrapper roller and serrated roller has been developed and used to scrap out the waxy layer and at the same time macerating and breaking the leaf surface for ease of retting to extract the pineapple leaf fibres. Pineapple leaf contains 2,5-3.5% strong, white and silky textile grade fibre embedded by a top waxy layer within the leaf. After removing the top waxy layer, fibre has been extracted from the pineapple leaf by retting in water. The residual green sludge has been used for vermicomposting after appropriate treatment using earthworm species African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) as inoculums. The vermicomposting process was complete within 45 days. This vermicompost from pineapple leaf agro-waste is found to be rich in plant nutrients. The combined technology package for the extraction of fibre from pineapple leaf and utilization of the residual biomass debris from the pineapple leaf scratching machine for vermicomposting is economically viable and remunerative for the pineapple cultivators.

2 illus, 6 tables, 18 ref

001942   Hajilari M;Hoseinkhani M;Yousefi K (Textile Dep, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Islamic Azad Univ of Shahre-Rey Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran, Email: m.hajilari2005@gmail.com) : Effect of mordant on the flammability of fabrics. Asian J Chem 2010, 22(4), 3228-34.

Due to the sensitiveness of textile for flaming and the rate of flame transfusion of fiber, some experiments with natural dyes (e.g. reseda, madder, kermes and pomegranate peel) have been done on cotton, wool and polyester fabric. In these experiments, fabrics were dyeing with natural dyes by bottom chrome method. Considering the standard flame test of material, those cotton fabrics which are dyed by reseda and alum mordant, when the fire is died out, the kind of mordant is an effective parameter. Actually, by increasing the molecular weight of the mordant (e.g. alum mordant) the after glow (A.G.) is decreased. The results indicated that between samples there is a significant difference which can be depend on the kind of mordant and dyes.

3 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

001941   Deshmukh A S (Textile Dep, Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati, Maharashtra) : Dyeing of cotton with Tabernaemontana coronaria Wild. Bioinfolet 2011, 8(4), 419-22.

Leaves or Tagar (Tabernaemontana coronaria Wild.) were selected as a source of dye. Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) rind was used as mordant along with Alum, Tin, Iron and Harda. Tagar leaf extract imparted lime green and khaki colours with fastness.

4 tables, 9 ref

000932   Srivastva A (Textiles and Clothing Dep, Institute of Home Economics, Univ of Delhi V M L G PG College, Ghaziabad, Email: aver810@yahoo.co.in) : Use of aloe vera for furnishing anti microbial finish on cotton fabrics. J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 68-72.

Aloe vera with its magical powers and health elements was used for furnishing and microbial finish to cotton fabric. Textile finish, using aloe vera in different concentrations i.e. 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% were tested against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus, gram negative bacteria namely Pseudomonas, E.coli, klebsiella and a fungus i.e. Candida. It was tested for anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti perspiration properties. Aloe vera in 50% strength was most effective; on treatment to cotton fabric it exhibited good results for micro organisms -Pseudomonas, E.coli and Candida whereas insignificant inhibition was seen on Staphylococcus and Klebsiella. As compared to commercial anti microbial agent, it wasn't as efficient as commercial finish but its eco friendly aspect along with other healthy elements could have been an added asset for the wearer and the environment.

3 illus, 3 ref

000931   Rathinamoorthy R;Udayakumar S;Thilagavathi G (Fashion Technology Dep, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Email: r.rathinamoorthy@gmail.com) : Antibacterial efficacy analysis of Punica granatum L. leaf, rind and terminalia chebula fruit extract treated cotton fabric against five most common huma pathogenic bacteria. Int J Pharm Life Sci 2011, 2(10), 1147-53.

Bacterial resistance of textile material is one of the major problems faced in the field of Healthcare and hygiene textiles. Hence, in this study the water and methanol extracts of Punica granatum L leaf, rind and Terminalia chebula fruits were obtained and treated on the cotton plain woven fabric. The fabrics were tested for its antibacterial activity against bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella typhi. The result indicates that the treated cotton fabric shows a clear microbial resistance with 27-38 mm zone of inhibition in the agar diffusion test against all the above mentioned strains. Similarly, to measure the microbe resistance quantitatively, the AATCC Test Method 100-2004 was performed. The result indicates that, the treated samples show 99% of reduction against Staphylococcus aureus and 90% reduction against Escherichia coli. Further the treated cotton fabrics performance was evaluated using AATCC Test Method 61-2003 for wash durability.

1 illus, 5 tables, 25 ref

000930   Parthiban M;Srikrishnan M R;Viju S (Fashion Technology Dep, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Email: parthi_mtech@yahoo.com) : Studies on odor retention and antibacterial efficacy of non woven fabrics for technical textile applications. Int J Pharm Life Sci 2011, 2(10), 1137-41.

In order to impart barrier property against microorganisms and control over the odor for corn foot treatment, three samples of 20/80 % polyester/viscose needle punched non woven fabric was treated with three different concentrations of Aloe vera & silver-nano solutions using pad- dry- cure method respectively. The samples were first treated separately with Aloe vera & silver-nano respectively and further treated with dual combination in a single bath. The treated samples were assessed for the antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and E-coli and the odor retention property was also analyzed. Samples treated with Aloe vera alone showed very low reduction rate in the number of bacterial colonies and exhibit high odor resistance. The samples treated with nano silver alone showed high reduction rate in number of bacterial colonies but showing low odor resistance. Dual finished sample treated with 100% conc, of Aloe vera and 7% conc, of nano silver showed higher reduction rate in number of bacterial colonies and having good odor resistance.

3 illus, 7 tables, 8 ef

000929   Mahapatra N M (NO, Hindprakash Lonsen Industries Pvt. Ltd, Vatva, Ahmedabad, Email: dr_nanda_nandan@yahoo.com) : Dyeing of cotton in various forms. J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 81-3.

000928   Kar P;Asthankar Devanand B;Jadhav Aditi S; Jawlekar Ankita K;Sayre Tina R;Borale Namrata J;Majage S (NO, SGGS Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nanded-431 605, Email: prabir_kar@yahoo.com) : Feasibility of dyeing multiple textile fibers in a single phase with unique natural dye. J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 62-7.

Indians were forerunner in the art of natural dyes. The dyes derived from Bio-degradable natural resources have emerged as the prime colorant on textiles owing to their greater advantages like safety for health and environment. From literature review we came to know that for dyeing of different type of textile materials we require different type of dyes hence we decided to find a unique natural dye source which can dye almost all textile materials. For this purpose we dyed seven textile materials like Cotton, Wool, Polyester, Acrylic, Nylon, Silk, Viscose rayon with 9 different dye sources. Out of which we found that turmeric, onion skin, Catechu gives good results for dyeing but washing fastness and Light fastness of Catechu is best among those three.

4 illus, 5 tables, 10 ref

000927   Jain M;Pant S (NO, G.D. Govt. College for Women, Alwar, Rajasthan) : Awareness and utilisation of consumer rights and duties by textile consumers. J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 77-80.

The disorganized textile consumers in India are by and large illiterate, poorly skilled and ignorant regarding the products to be purchased. They seem to be unaware of their rights and duties as consumers as well. A questionnaire was administered to the Male and female college students and homemakers of Ajmer and Jodhpur cities of Rajasthan to judge their awareness regarding textile products, consumer rights and duties, laws, redressal agencies and source of information used by them. Most of the textile consumers were found aware of the laws to protect them against deceptive dealings, legal actions and government redressal agencies that work for seeking redressal for the exploited - 308 - consumers. But most of them did not utilize their rights and not file petitions due to lack of knowledge and complexity of the legal procedure. In general, no significant difference was found among homemakers and students belonging to different sex, education, faculty, occupation, type of family, age and income groups in their awareness regarding consumer protection. Most common sources of information regarding consumer protection were books, magazines, television, etc.

4 table, 2 ref

000926   Iyer V G (NO, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai-95., Email: vijayan_iw_2002@sify.com) : Properties of gin roller covering materials for cotton double roller gins - (Pt-I). J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 59-61.

The roller gin roller is the major component of a cotton roller gin stand. Gin rollers are commonly covered with gin roller cladding made of chrome composite leather clad (CCLC). The roller coverings contain about 18000 to 36000 ppm of total chromium. Its covering wears completely out with usage and repairing the roller consists of re-covering it. When cotton is processed the ginned lint would contain about 180 to 250 ppm of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) which are known to be highly carcinogenic in nature. To offset this problem, the use of a new gin roller has been attempted. Subsequently, properties of gin roller covering materials for cotton double roller gins were evaluated. Walrus hide, which was used till 1940, was thought to be unequalled for roller coverings. Research and experiments show the possibility of obtaining a substitute. Ginning investigations have been carried out to help meet the objective of designing and developing eco-friendly roller coverings for cotton double roller (DR) gins. Various eco-friendly substitutes and methods have been studied and devised, such as vegetable tanned leather, woven fibre glass fabrics, neem oil tanned leather, alternative rubber and rubber-processing technology, and modification of the commonly employed CCLC roller gins. Gin roller packing made of multiple layers of cotton fabric bonded together with a rubber compound has been found to be very promising. In this the roller cover has a surface finish conducive to high ginning efficiency. On the basis of the design and development of various rollers with subsequent performance evaluation studies, pollution-free RCF washers- rollers have been demonstrated with reference to techno-commercial and eco-friendliness in ginneries. Eco-friendly RCF rollers could be successfully used commercially as an improved alternative in ginning mills for a cleaner environment, which benefits society, mill owners, clients, workers, employees and the Government.

9 ref

000925   Chakrabarty S (NO, Textile Machinery Manufacturers' Association, 53, Mittal Chambers, Nariman Point Mumbai-400 021, Email: tmma@mtnl.net.in) : Textiles engineering industry of India spares and accessories segment. J Text Ass 2010, 71(2), 73-6.

The machinery requirements of the mill sector was earlier imported and the repairs also could not be carried out here. This led to the formation of the organised Textile Engineering Industry (TEI) about two centuries ago. It has built up a - 307 - complete range of machinery and other equipment, parts/component and accessories right from ginning, opening up of the fibres to the production of finished fabrics and in synthetic sector, entire range of fibre/filament, mechanical/chemical processing machinery & its components. This survey indicates the number of units of complete machinery manufacturing and making parts and accessories. It also compares the production level of the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.

2 tables

016858   Zinser Textilmaschinen GmBh (NO, , Postfach 1480, D-73058 Ebersbach/Fils, Germany) : Device for removing yarn under winding from the spindles of a ring-spinning or ring twisting machine. 0000, (NULL), (NULL).

016857   Ownes Illinois Closure Inc (NO, , One Seagate, Toledo, Ohio 43666, USA) : Plastic tamper indicating closure for a container and a method of making the same. 0000, (NULL), (NULL).

016856   Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG (NO, , CH-8406 Winterthur, Switzerland) : Apparatus for grinding clothings. 0000, (NULL), (NULL).

016855   Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft (NO, , D-65926 Frankfurt AM Main, Federal Republic of Germany) : Spin finish composition. 0000, (NULL), (NULL).

021954   Star Precision Electronics (I) Ltd (NO, , 78/2, G.I.D.C., Makarpura, Baroda-390 010 Gujarat) : PC based compatable fibre bundle strength & elongation tester. 0000, (NULL), (NULL).

018755   Srinivasan M;Zhang S (NO, Centre for Visual Science, Research School of Biological Sciences, Aus, P O Box 475, Canberra, A C T 2601, Australia) : Small brains, smart minds: vision, perception nad 'cognition' in honeybees. IETE J Res 2003, 4(2-3), 127-34.

Recent work is beginning to reveal that insects may not be the simple, reflexive creatures that they were once assumed to be. Honeybees, for example, can learn rather general features of flowers and landmarks, such as colour, orientation and symmetry, and apply them to distinguish between objects that they have never previously encountered. Bees exhibit "top-down" processing: that is, they are capable of using prior knowledge to detect poorly visible or camouflaged objects. Furthermore, bees can learn to navigate through labyrinths, to form complex associations and to acquire abstract consepts such as "sameness" and "difference". All of these observations suggest that there is no hard dichotomy between invertebrates and vertebrates in the context of perception, learing and 'congnition; and that brain size is not necessarily a reliable predictor of perceptual capacity.

6 illus, 28 ref

012636   Das N C;Jha S N;Raja Sekhar B N (Spectroscopy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400 085) : Optical design of angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy beamline at indus-1 synchrotron radiation source. J Optics 2002, 31(3), 129-43.

The optical design principle and imaging characteristics of the angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) beamline which have been recently commissioned at the indus-1 synchrotron radiation source, Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT), Indore have been discussed. The heart of the beamline is the 1.4 meter focal length Toroidal Grating Monochromator (TGM-1400) supplied by M/S. Jobin-Yvon, France. The monochromator uses three interchangable aberration corrected toroidal holographic gratings having groove densities of 1800g/mm, 600g/mm and 200g/mm and it covers the spectral region of 40 A to 1000 A with an average spectral resolution of 0.4 A. A toroidal mirror focuses the light originating from the tangent point of the synchrotron source onto the entrance slit of the monochromator and a second toroidal mirror focuses the light emerging from the exit slit of the monochromator at the experimental sample position. All the three optical components are coated with platinum. After optimising the geometrical parameters of the beamline, extensive ray tracing work has been performed to evaluate the imaging properties of the beamline.

6 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

012634   Chandna R P;Sarup Lal;Mishra S B S (Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, , Jalandhar) : Manufacture of washable glove leather (Cow). J Indian Leath Technologists Ass 2003, 53(4), 289-304.

Object of the project is to make glove leather with washable nature. For this very careful selection of raw materials and strict chemical as well as physical controls during the processing of leather have been followed. During pretanning operations maximum interfibrillary materials were removed & separation of fibre bundles and splitting the fibres to fibrils have been tried to achieve. In tanning and finishing operations no such treatment is given which may unnecessarily fill up the empty spaces created during the pretanning operations. For washability fatliquors with washable nature were selected & chemicals which bind with leather through primary valency were avoided. After processing, the various physical & chemical tests have been performed with the crust & the results are compared with the standards.

10 illus, 17 tables, 7 ref

024782   Reddy T S;Nair J K;Gore G M;Sikder A K (High Energy Materials Research Lab, , Pune-411 021, Email: ak_sikder@yahoo.com) : Synthesis and characterization of poly glycidyl nitrate. J Polym Mater 2010, 27(3), 249-56.

An approach to develop low sensitivity, high energy explosive and propellant formulation i.e. insensitive munitions (IMs), involves the use of insensitive energetic polymers as binders. Variety of energetic polymeric materials having azido, nitro and nitrato group have been investigated for their chemical and physical properties. Poly (3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane) (PLN) and poly glycidyl nitrate (PGN) appear to be the most promising polymers in this category. In the present study PGN was obtained by cationic polymerization of glycidyl nitrate monomer. Glycidyl nitrate was synthesized by metal nitration of epichlorohydrin in a single step followed by purified by distillation. PGN was found to be thermally stable and insensitive to impact with a glass transition temperature of- 37°C. This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of PGN.

7 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

024781   Qiao Z Y;Zhu Z F (Key Lab of Eco-textiles, Ministry of Education, College of Textiles and Garments, Jiangnan Univ, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi-214 122, P.R. China, Email: zhuzhifeng09@yahoo.com.cn) : Morphology and mechanical properties of acetylated starch/acrylate copolymer blend film for surface coating application. J Polym Mater 2010, 27(1), 29-38.

An attempt was made to improve the mechanical properties of acetylated starch film through blending with acrylate copolymers. The mechanical properties were investigated in terms of tensile strength, breaking extension, and flex-fatigue resistance. Effects of acrylate copolymers content, acrylate constituent units of acrylate copolymers and degree of substitute (DS) of acetylated starch on the mechanical properties of acetylated starch/acrylate copolymers blend films were studied. The morphology of the films was surveyed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Video Zoom Microscope. It was found that the mechanical properties were strongly dependent on the copolymers content and aerylate units as well as the DS of acetylated starch. When the copolymers content was 50%, it was highly favorable to improve the toughness of the blend film, and the maximal breaking extension and flex-fatigue resistance were acquired. The phase-separation extent of the two ingredients within the film increased greatly when the copolymers content is 70%.

5 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

024780   Mitra A;Choudhuri P K;Mukherjee A (Textile Section, Silpa-Sadana Dep, Visva-Bharati Univ, Sriniketan, Birbhum-731 236, Email: a_mitra2005@yahoo.com) : Diagnostic report on cluster development programme of Shantipur handloom cluster, Nadia, West Bengal Part I - evolution of the cluster and cluster analysis. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2009, 8(4), 502-9.

Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (IHCDS) is being implemented by the Development Commissioner for Handloom, Ministry of Textile, GOI since the year 2005-06 with a broad objective to develop traditional Indian handloom clusters in an inclusive and holistic manner. One of the important objectives of this scheme is to build the clusters' capacity to meet the challenges of the market and make them globally competitive. Presently, IHCDS is operational in 20 selected clusters spread across 12 states. Identification of potential markets and promotion of market driven designs are some of the essential approaches for the development of any handloom cluster and till now modest attention has been paid towards market developmental activities like market assessment, study of market trends and export potential for its products. The three-part series of papers reports on the cluster development programme of Shantipur handloom cluster to formulate a sustainable business plan as well as marketing plan to assist this historic cluster to compete in the ever challenging textile business. Part I describes the evolution/historical back ground of the cluster, its geographical location, existing cluster structure and infrastructure analysis to facilitate formulation of a sustainable business-cum-marketing plan to be reported in subsequent parts for the development of the cluster.

14 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

024779   Masud Hossain S K;Anantharaman N (Chemical Engg, National Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu) : Effect of silane coupling agent on rheological properties of clay filled polychloroprene rubber. Process Pl Engng 2009, 27(3), 22-4.

In the studies, kaoine clay was treated with varying sifane coupfing agent dose. Tfie treated Jitter was incorporated in polychloroprene rubber (PCR) rubber. -The composites are molded in sheets using compression moldinq technique at different temperatures and different times. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus at 300 % elongation are measured 'and encouraging to enhance the plasticity of polychloroprene rubber (PCR): Tfie maximum tensile strength was measured as 109.72 M 'Pa at optimum conditions with treated clay. The maximum modulus at 300% elongation with treated clay as noticed as 59.82 M Pa. The maximum tensile strength was measured as 72.26 M Pa at optimum conditions without treated cfay. The maximum modulus at 300% elongation without treated clay as noticed as 28.65 M Pa.

3 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

024778   Mandal P K;Siddhanta S K;Chakraborty D (Polymer Science and Technology Dep, Calcutta Univ, 92, A.P.C. Road, Kolkata-700 009, Email: chakrabarty_deb@yahoo.com) : Exploring mechanical, thermal, morphological and rheological properties of polypropylene-liquid crystalline polymer (vectra-A950) blends. J Polym Mater 2010, 27(1), 57-67.

Polypropylene (PP) was melt blended with Vectra A 950, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) in different proportions in a single screw extruder. The mechanical properties of prepared PP-Vectra A 950 blends were compared in respect of their Young's moduli, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percent elongation at break, toughness, hardness and impact strength to those of pure PP. Mechanical analysis (tensile properties) of the blends showed pronounced improvement in the moduli, UTS and hardness of PP matrix in the presence of 2-7% of LCP. The thermal properties of these blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC studies showed an initial drop of the melting point of PP in the PP-Vectra A 950 blend (2% LCP) followed by enhancement of the same in presence of higher proportions (7%) of LCP. TGA showed an increase in the thermal stability for all blends with respect to matrix polymer PP. Morphological studies were performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which showed limited mixing and short fibrils with relatively more number of droplets observed in the lower amount of LCP containing blends. Towards the higher range of LCP concentration, thicker fibrils with sharp interfaces were developed. Rheological studies showed that Vectra A 950 dropped down the melt viscosity of PP hence facilitated processibility of the blends.

7 illus, 27 ref

024777   Lizymol P P;Kalliyana Krishnan V (Dental Products Lab, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical, Thiruvananthapuram-695 012, Email: lizymol@rediffmail.com) : Polymerization and elution characteristics of antibiotic loaded acrylic bone cements. J Polym Mater 2010, 27(3), 257-66.

Acrylic bone cements are widely used in orthopedic applications for anchoring the prosthesis to the contiguous bone in cemented arthroplasty. Wide spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin and tetracycline have been incorporated into bone cement and their effect upon polymerization characteristics such as working and setting times have been monitored using cycloviscograph and properties like diametral tensile strength (DTS) evaluated. Antibiotic elution into phosphate buffered saline at different intervals of time was evaluated and compared for both antibiotics. Working and setting times were found to increase with antibiotic concentration in the bone cement. Presence of ampicillin was found to have no effect upon the strength of the bone cement while tetracycline had a deteriorating effect upon DTS. Rate of antibiotic elution into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was observed to be higher for ampicillin compared to tetracycline. Cytotoxic evaluation of the virgin bone cement did not elicit any toxic response.

6 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

021782   Senthilkumar P;Dasaradan B S (Textile Technology Dep, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 004) : Moisture transfer in textile materials. J Instn Engrs-Pt TE 2011, 91(Feb), 16-17.

Textiles serve as both a barrier and a transporter of heat, air, and moisture from one environment to another. In the case of clothing, apparel fabrics provi

2 ref

021781   Samanta A K;Biswas S K;Bagchi A; (NO, Institute of Jute Technology, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019) : Semi-durable fire retardant finishing of jute fabric and its thermal behaviour. J Instn Engrs-Pt TE 2011, 91(Feb), 18-26.

Bleached jute fabrics have been subjected to treatment with six different fire retardant formulations based on combination of diammonium phosphate (DAP), mixture of borax-boric acid (7:3), tetra-sodium pyro-phosphate, sodium per-borate with or without DMDHEU (resin) and MgCI2 (catalyst) by pad-dry cure process for imparting semi-durable fire retardant finish on it. The fire retardant performance of each formulation investigated and were compared with the same for a commercial fire retardant finishing agent (Pekoflame DPN) in terms of LOI value, flame spread time, afterglow time, char length and changes in tenacity, breaking elongation, bending length, flexural rigidity, and surface appearance in terms of K/S value, whiteness index, yellowness index and brightness index. Most of the fire retardant formulations showed moderate fire retardant performance showing 27-33 LOI value where highest LOI value (33.0) was achieved by formulation 5. However, all the above fire retardant finished fabric showed loss of nearly 15%-20% of LOI value on soap washing. Loss of tenacity on such fire retardant treatment was around 15%-40% in different cases. Thermal behaviour by analysis of DSC thermograms, TGA thermograms and thermal resistivity value (Clo and Tog value) of the experimental fabrics showed that formulation 5 [based on treatment with mixture of 12% sodium perborate 12%, 12% borax plus boric acid (7:3), DAP 4% and 4% DMDHEU with 1% MgCI2] catalyst gives maximum Clo-Tog values, minimum weight loss during heating at ambient of 500°C at different temperature zones as well as somewhere a bit early and somewhere a bit delayed thermal degradation/pyrolysis of major jute constituents showing a different thermal behavior pattern than control bleached jute fabric.

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021780   Naskar M;Sengupta S;Ghosh A (Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, ICAR, Barrackpore, Kolkata-700 120) : New computerized instrument(TexLAD) for analyzing linear and density of textiles. J Instn Engrs-Pt TE 2011, 91(Feb), 3-7.

Customized analysis of linear density of yarn, roving, slivers and area density of fabric is of extreme importance in textile testing. The present work delineates Graphical-User-lnterface (GUI) software based integrated system that provides an easy solution to such analysis in a very efficient, effective and user friendly manner. The software installed in a computer, along with computer interfaced digital balance and a printer altogether provide an integrated computerized system for analyzing linear density of yarn, sliver and roving. It also supports the analysis of area density (g/m<^>2) of different textile and non textile materials. The software automatically captures data from wide range of digital balances and take user input required for computing textile linear and area density, analyzes data and thereafter send output to the output devices like printer, computer screen etc. The integrated system has the flexibility to analyze the linear density for ten different textile unit systems. The software supports customized statistical analyses tools that are frequently required in linear density analysis of yarn, sliver and roving or area density analysis of fabrics.