002947   Jayakumar K K;Reddy T S;Nair J K;Satpute R S; Mukundan T (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, , Pashan, Pune-411 021) : Development of a green thermoplastic binder: chain extended poly bis (azido methyl) oxetane. J Polym Mater 2007, 24(1), 7-12.

A new green thermoplastic elastomer namely chain extended Poly Bis (azido methyl) oxetane has been synthesized and characterized. The polymer showed a number average molecular weight of ~10,000 and exhibited a sharp melting above 85 °C in DSC. The glass transition temperature was about - 26°C, further lowering of which as per ammunition system requirements may be effected by the use of a suitable plasticiser. Chain extension of Poly Bis (azido methyl) Oxetane has been supported by comparison of rehological properties of this polymer with homo polymer. Extended Poly Bis (azido methyl) Oxetane shows G "> G' (storages modulus) as well as more shear thinning than poy Bis (azido methyl) Oxetane in soft melting stage.

7 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

002946   Chavan D A;Borkar S P (NO, V.J.T.I., Matunga, Mumbai) : Application of technical textiles in enviromental protection. J Text Ass 2008, 69(2), 75-81.

Technical textiles plays very important role in the enviromental protection. Technical textile usefulness hag been given in this article with respect to Environment protection such as Eco friendly textiles, fibers & fabrics causing minimizing damage to the environment & Sustainable fibers. Protection from Environment includes protective textiles, protection from pathogens, Antimocrobial treatments & different special fabric range. Some of latest cutting edge projects of technical textiles also have been discussed.

12 illus, 6 ref

001931   Zhu H;Chen P;Wu R;Zhang H (NO, China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing-100029, China, Email: xbfyzhuhua@163.com) : Microwave absorption properties of carbon fibre containing nonwovens. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 391-8.

A variety of nonwoven containing different weight percentages of pitch-based carbon fibre has been developed using through-air thermal bonding process or the spray bonding process and studied for its microwave absorbing capacity in the microwave frequency range 8 - 18GHz. Microwave reflectivity of the nonwoven is found closely related to the carbon fibre content. Electromagnetic parameters of the component fibres in the nonwoven have also been studied. Variation in microwave absorbing capacity of the nonwoven with the carbon fibre content is expounded according to the relationship between the electromagnetic parameters and the reflection coefficient of the nonwoven. as well as the relationship belueen the electromagnetic parameters and the attenuation constant of the nonwoven. The carbon fibre containing nonwoven has great potential in the military application as the radar camouflage material or in the non-defense application as the elcctromasnetic shieldinn material.

6 illus, 2 tables, 13 ref

001930   Tyagi G K;Goyal A;Gon D P;Mahajan D K (NO, The Technological Institute of Textile & sciences, Bhiwani-127 021) : Investigation on cotton ring and OE rotor yarn characteristics: part I-effect of caustic and enzymatic scouring treatments on dye uptake and mechanical characteristics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 279-83.

The effect of scouring with enzymes and caustic soda on the mechanical and surface characteristics of cotton ring-and rotor-spun yarns has been studied. For both yarn structures, the flexural rigidity, hairiness, yam-to-metal friction and dye uptake increase markedly on scouring with enzymes and sodium hydroxide. Conventional scouring with NaOH renders the yarns strikingly strong and less extensible. However, the tenacity of both types of yarns is considerably reduced on enzymatic scouring. Scouring causes a marked increase in dye uptake of ring-and rotor-spun yarns; the increase is. however, more in NaOH scoured yarns than in the yarns spun with identical processing conditions but scoured with enzymes. The dye uptake decreases marginally with increasing rotor speed. The effect of opening roller speed on uptake of dye is also minimal.

4 tables, 19 ref

001929   Tyagi G K;GoPal A;Gon D P (NO, Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, Bhiwani-127 021, Email: drgktyagi@rediffmail.com) : Contribution of fibre profile to performance characteristics of polyster-viscose and polyster-cotton ring and MJS yarns. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 404-08.

Influence of fibre cross-sectional shape and production speed on the performance potential of polyester-viscose and polyester-cotton ring- and MJS yarns has been studied. The data indicate significant differences in the performance of the yarns produced with different spinning speeds and the yarns spun with high spinning speed display belter structural intrigrity. high compressional resilience, low compressional energy, high abrasion resistance and more hairiness than the yams spun tinder identical condition but with lower speed. Incorporating non-circular fibre in the mix greatly reduces structural integrity, abrasion resistance and hairiness for both yarn structures. The reduction in their characteristics is highly dependent on the fibre mix and production speed. For all experimental combinations, the MJS yarns possess better structural integrity, belter compressional resilience, less hairiness and lower abrasion resistance than the ring - spun yarns.

2 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

001928   Thilagavathi G;Bala S K;Kannaian T (Textile Technology Dep, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 004thilagapsg@yahoo.co.in) : Microencapsulation of herbal extracts for microbial resistance in heaithcare textiles. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 351-4.

Antimicrobial finish has been imparted to the cotton fabric using extracts of neem and Mexican daisy by direct application and by microencapsulation using pad-dry-cure method. To enhance the durability of antimicrobial finish to number of washes, the microencapsulation of herbal extracts has been done using phase separation/coacervation. Microcapsules are produced using herbal extracts as core and acacia as wall material. Structure of microcapsules has been evaluated using light microscopy with image analysis technique, the presence of microcapsules by scanning electron microscopy, the antimicrobial efficacy by quantitative method in terms of bacterial reduction, and the wash durability of antimicrobial activity by AATCC 124. It is observed that the microencapsulated herbal extracts possess a very good resistance for microbes even after 15 washes.

2 illes, 2 tables, 6 ref

001927   Subramaninan S;Karthikeyan P S;Ragu Ramachandran M;Valmurugan A (Textile Technology Dep, A C College of Technology, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025ssubbu@annauni.edu) : Variation in imperfection level due to winding of ring yarn. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 290-4.

The variation in imperfections level due to winding of carded and combed ring yarns and the effect of foreign matters such as black specks of broken seeds, lead bits and trashes present in the ring cop yarn, on imperfections during winding process for carded cotton ring yarn has been studied. The results show that the thin places increase, and thick places and neps decrease due to the fall of foreign matters during winding in the carded yarn. In the combed yarn, the thin places, thick places and neps increase during winding.

2 illes, 6 tables, 10 ref

001926   Subramanian S N;Venkatachalam A;Subramanian A (Textile Technology Dep, SNS College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 035, Email: nne@vsnl.com) : Prediction and optimization of yarn properties using genetics algorithm/artificial neural network. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 409-13.

Relative performance of the back propagation neural network (BPN) algorithm combined with genetic algorithm (GA) approach for the prediction/optimization of the properties of yarn produced on jet ring spinning system has been studied. Yarn samples of various linear densities have been produced on ring spinning machines using air-jet nozzles as retrofit by varying the nozzle parameter and the yarn properties studied. The hybrid application is used to predict selected yarn properties based on the effect of certain nozzle parameters. The network trained for a set of training vectors is found to predict the yarn properties for a compacting method with minimum error percentage. The proposed GA/BPN model could he extended to suggest a suitable compacting method for the desired yarn properties.

3 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

001925   Shakyawar D B;Patni P C;Gupta N P (Southern Regional Research Station, Mannavanur PO, Via-Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu, Email: dbshakya_67@yahoo.co.in) : Studies on animal fibre blended hanhmade felts: part II-frictional compressional and thermal properties. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 301-05.

The frictional, compressional and thermal properties of handmade felts prepared from wool, rabbit hair, camel hair and their blends have been studied. Felts made from rabbit hair and its blends are smoother, warmer and softer as compared to those made from camel hair and sheep wool. Felts produced from sheep wool possess highest coefficient of friction and resiliency than those produced from camel hair. Frictional properties of felts are governed by fibre diameter, medullation content and compressibility of felt, whereas thermal behaviour is influenced by fibre diameter only.

2 illus, 3 tables, 12 ref

001924   Sang-Song L;Tsung-Huang L (Apparel Dep, National Pintung University of Sciences and Technology, Pintung, Taiwan 912, Republic of China, Email: ssl@mail.npust.edu.tw) : FAST system approach to discriminate the characterizad generic hand of fabrics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 344-50.

An attempt has heen made to discriminate different characterized generic hands of cotton, linen, wool, and silk woven fabrics using discriminant analysis and neural network method. Ten physical properties based on the FAST system have been selected for the analysis. It is observed that the cotton, linen, wool, and silk groups of fabric can be characterized and discriminated by discriminant analysis and neural network method with 91.67 % and 98.33 % classified accuracy. Model test results show that the cotton type polyester, linen-textured rayon, wool type polyester, and silk-like polyester fabrics can be classified accurately by the neural network method. The confusion coefficient is found to be 100%.

4 illes, 9 tables, 7 ref

001923   Samanta A K;Singee D;Basu G;Biswas S K (NO, Intitute of Jute Technology, 35 Ballygunge Cricular Road, Kolkata-700 019, Email: ijt@cal2.vsnl.net.in) : Thermal behaviour and structural features of chemically and bio-chemically modified jute substrate. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 355-65.

Effects of NaOH treatment, conventional hot H₂O₂ bleaching, H₂O₂ and K₂S₂O₈ combined room-temperature bleaching, mixed enzyme treatment and N-methylol resin finishing on thermal behaviour and structural features of jute substrate have been studied. Differential scanning calorimetric study under nitrogen cover reveals distinct peaks for thermal degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components of chemically and bio-chemically modified jute, showing some positive or negative shifts of thermal degradation temperatures for each of the three major constituents of jute owing to alkaline/oxidative or enzymolytic degradation or resinification of the jute components. Thiourea formaldehyde (TUF)-resin treatment renders the jute substrate with maximum thermal stability. There is a measurable increase in the erystalliniky percentage for 1-5% NaOH treatment, and the same is decreased on oxidative or enzyme treatment and remains almost unaffected for AMF-resin or TUF-resin treatment. Observed chemical changes/interactions have been explained by the analysis of FTIR spectra and copper number of differently treated jute substrate. Higher copper number is observed for room-temperature bleaching than that for conventional H₂O₂ bleaching. Changes in the overall surface morphology of the treated fabrics have also been characterized by scanning electron microscopic study. Room-temperature bleaching followed by mixed enzyme treatment shows maximum surface cleanliness with a smooth and less hairy surface appearance. Both AMF-resin and TUF-resin treatments show a surface coverage with a resin film.

3 illus, 3 tables, 27 ref

001922   Samanta A K;Agarwal P;Datta S (NO, Institute of Jute Technology, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolakata-700 019, Email: ijt@cal2.vsnl.net.in) : Dyeing of jute and cotton fabrics using jackfruit wood extract: part 1 - effects of mordanting and dyeing process variable on colour yield and colour fastness properties. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 466-76.

Conventionally bleached jute and cotton fabrics have been subjected to pre-inordanting with selective single and double mordants using myrobolan (harda) and other mordants (metallic salts) followed by dyeing with aqueous extract of jackfruit wood and then studied for their mechanical and dyeing properties. It is observed that the application of IO-20% myrobolan followed by 10-20% of Al₂(SO₄)₃ or FeSO₄ in sequence have been identified as two most prospective mordanting systems. The study on the effect of dyeing process variables on surface colour strength indicates that the 90 min dyeing time. 70-90°C dyeing temperature. 11.0 pH, 1:30 material-to-liquor ratio. 20-30% mordants concentration. 30-40% dye concentration, and 15 gpl common salt are the optimum values with minor differences among the different fibre -mordant systems studied. Colour fastness to washing, rubbing and exposure to sunlight, in general, and dyeing-pH sensitivity, in particular, for selective fibre-mordants-dye systems have also been assessed and compared. Dyeing at pH 11.0 for both the double pre-mordanting systems offers overall good colour fastness properties.

2 illus, 5 tables, 16 ref

001921   Ratna Prasad A V;Murali Mohan Rao K;Gupta A V S S K S (Mechanical Engineering Dep, V R Siddhartha Engineering College, Vijayawada-520 007, Email: rp_atluri@yahoo.co.in) : Tensile and impact behaviour of rice straw-polyester composites. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 399-403.

Rice straw fibres have been extracted and incorporated in polyester resin matrix to prepare rice straw reinforced polyester composites and the tensile and impact properties of the resultant composites studied. The rice straw fibres have a tensile strength of ~ 69.72 MPa and Young's modulus of ~ 2427 MPa. The composites have been formulated up to fibre volume of about 40%, resulting in a mean tensile strength of 46 MPa which is greater than that of plain polyester (31.5 MPa). The tensile-modulus of composite is found to be 1045 MPa which is about 1.66 times to that of plain polyester. The specific tensile modulus is nearly 2.17 times to that of polyester resin. The work of fracture measured in impact at a fibre volume of 46% is found to be 284 J/m. Therefore, the straw-based composites have potential to be used as core material for structural board products.

4 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

001920   Parthiban M;Kumar M R (Fashion Technology Dep, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 004, Email: parthi_mtech@yahoo.com) : Effect of fabric softner on thermal comfort of cotton and polyester fabrics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 446-52.

The effect of fabric softener on thermal comfort properties, such as air permeability, thermal insulation value and wickabilily. of cotton and polyester fabrics after repeated laundering have been studied, lt is observed that the fabric softener treatment with different levels significantly decreases the air permeability and wickability of cotton fabrics but does not affect the polyester fabrics properties. The softener treatment increases the thermal insulation value of both cotton and polyester fabrics to a similar degree. Statistical analysis also indicates that the results are significant for air permeability, thermal insulation value and wickability of the fabrics. The chemical finishing has a significant influence on the thermal comfort properties of cotton and polyester fabrics after repealed laundering cycles.

3 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

001919   Nergis B U (Textile Engineering Dep, Faculty of Textile Technology and Design, Instanbul Technical Univ, Istanbul, Turkey, Email: zygunf@itu.edu.tr) : Influenece of core yarn properties on pile loss in chenille plain knitted fabrics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 434-38.

The effect of core yarn properties, such as core yarns material type, yarn count, structure. twist and twist direction. On the loss tendency of chenille yarns in plain knitted fabrics has been studied. It is observed that the chenilles produced with coarser cotton yarns result in lower amount of pile loss after abrasion than that produced with fine count components. Viscose fibres are not suitable materials for chenille yarns when their effect on pile loss tendency is considered. The use of core yarns having the same twist direction as the chenille yarn increases the abrasion resistance of fabrics, while it causes spirality problem. It is also found that the use of higher twist in core yarns is not a remedy for the pile loss problem in chenille yarns.

2 illus, 6 tables, 16 ref

001918   Mihailovie T;Asanovic K;Mihajlidi T (Textile Engineering Dep, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade Univ, Karnegijeva 4, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, Email: tuca@tmf.bg.ac.yu) : Complex estimation of woven fabrics bending ability. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 453-8.

The bending ability of cotton, wool and viscose woven fabrics under the action of their own weight has been examined using the direct indicators by cantilever method, and indirect indicators by disc method. The results obtained by the usage of direct and indirect indicators are found to be sensitive to raw material as well as constructional characteristics of woven fabrics. Values of direct as well as indirect indicators can be used for establishing the complex estimation of fabrics bending ability. It is found that the viscose fabric has the best bending ability and cotton (1) the poorest.

4 illus, 3 tables, 23 ref

001917   Kothari V K;Das A;Sreedevi R (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, Email: kotharivk@gmail.com) : Cut resistance of textile fabrics-A thortical and an experimental approach. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 306-11.

A simplified mathematical model to predict the cutting behaviour of textile fabrics has been developed, It has been tried to identify the forces involved in culling a material with a reciprocating knife and also to derive an expression loi the sliding distance, which is a measure of the cut resistance of ihe material. A series of 100% cotton woven fabrics with varying pick density and weave pattern (plain, matt, twill and honeycomb) and another series of fabries with high performance fibres have been studied for their cut resistance properties. The plain weave has the maximum cut resistance, while the minimum cut resistance is exhibited by the honey comb weave. The cut resistance increases with the increase in picks/inch of the fabric. Study shows a very high cut resistance of the monofilament fabrics and the least cut resistance for para-aramid fabric along the warp direction, while the least cut resistance along the weft direction is exhibited by the HOPE fabric.

5 illes, 2 tables, 11 ref

001916   Kaur I;Vibha;Sharma R (Chemistry Dep, H P Univ, Shimla-171 005, Email: ij_kaur@hotmail.com) : Development of flame retardent cotton fabric through grafting and post-grafting reactions. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 312-8.

Low energy UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of methacrylamide (MAAm) onto cotton fabric has been carried out using benzophenonc as photosensitizer to introduce functionalities that can react with phosphorus containing compounds to impart flame rctardancy. The flammability behaviour of the grey cotton, cotton-g-poly (MAAm) and phosphorylated cotton-g-poly(MAAm) fabrics has been studied on a manual flammability tester. Maximum percentage of grafting (116.1%) is achieved at 75min irradiation time; 176.47x10^-2 moles/L [MAAm]; 5 mL photosensitizer; and 3 mL reaction medium. The grey cotton and cotton-g-poly (MAAm) fabrics react with phosphorous trichloride and diethylphosphite to introduce phosphorous element, thus imparting flame retardancy. Phosphorylated grafted fabric shows improved flame retardant behaviour in comparison to grafted fabric, which is better than the grey fabric. All the fabric samples have been characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis and crease recovery behaviour.

2 illes, 2 tables, 15 ref

001915   Hebsiba G A;thambidurai S (Industrial Chemistry Dep, Alagappa Univ, Karaikudi-630 003, Email: sthambi01@yahoo.co.in) : Tensile properties of cotton yarns after slack swelling and stretching in presence and absence of sodium hydroxide. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 284-9.

The properties of ring- and rotor-spun cotton yarns subjected to combined swelling and stretching in presence and absence of aqueous sodium hydroxide (21%w/w) at prc-delermined time intervals have been studied. Yarns stretched in the solution exhibit spectacular changes in their properties. The increment in shrinkage values is found to be more in slack swollen rotor-spun yarns as compared to that in ring-spun yarns. Crystallinity values show a decreasing trend with the increase in swelling time. Yarns stretched in solution show a tremendous increase in packing fraction. Tenacity and elongation values show significant increase with the solution stretch. The values of packing fraction, tenacity and per cent elongation are found to be higher in the case of ring-spun yarns. Scanning electron microscopy proves the swellabilily and packing of fibres in the yarns.

6 illes, 2 tables, 16ref,

001914   Ganesan P;Sam Vimal Rajkumar P;Thilagavathi G;Rajasekar K (Textile Technology Dep, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 006, Email: ganeshg007@rediffmail.com) : Influence of twist on dimensional stability. J Text Ass 2008, 69(3), 113-18.

Dimensional stability is the ability of the fabric to resist changes in physical dimension, under varying conditions of heat, moisture & mechanical forces etc., Even though woven fabric Dimensional stability is comparatively good than the knitted fabric, it loses its dimensional stability after few washes. Twist level, direction of twist contributes to the control of dimensional stability of woven fabric because of various tensions created in the yarn structure. In this research, 36s count cotton yarn with S and Z twist is produced and seven types of plain woven fabrics were produced by changing the arrangement of warp and weft combination of S and Z twist yarns in the fabric to study the effect of twist direction and relaxation on dimensional stability. This study shows that the 'Z' warp and 'S' weft yarn combination gives lower shrinkage percentage than other combinations.

3 illus, 3 tables, 4 ref

001913   El-Gendy E H;Ali N M (National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, P O Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, Email: eglal-elgendy@hotmail.com) : Effect of grafting acrylic acid, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and their mixture on the properties of polyester farbic. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 326-36.

The effect of grafting acrylic acid, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and their mixture on the hydropliilic, electrical, dyeing, thermal and mechanical properties of poiy(ethylene terephthalate) fabric has been studied. Grafting improves significantly the waier content, the water sorbency and the electrical conductivity of the fabric. Salt treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate)-graft. poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethylene terephthalate)-graft-poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone) causes further increase in the electrical conductivity. The dyeability of the fabric towards basic, direct and disperse dyes is also improved by grafting. The thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis show the deteriorating effect of grafting. The activation energy for the thermal decomposition of the second stage and the fabric relative crystallinity are found to decrease linearly with the increase in graft yield. The rate of decrease in the activation energy with the increase in graft yield depends on the type of grafted monomer. The tensile strength and Young's modulus decrease with the increase in degree of grafting while the elongation-at-break shows different dependence.

9 illes, 6 tables, 28 ref

001912   Dorugade V A;Satyapriya D (Fibres & Textile Processing Technology Dep, ICT, Matunga, Mumbai-400 019, Email: dorugadevgs@yahoo.co.in) : Electrically conducting textiles. J Text Ass 2008, 69(3), 119-32.

With the rapid development of the electrical and particularly the electronics industry, a need arose for flexible conducting and semiconducting materials. Conducting polymers offer an interesting alternative to coated or filled plastics and textiles. Conductive textile composites based on polypyrrole or polyaniline result in structures showing surface resistances of 10-10³ ohms/square. These textile composites have a considerable advantage over metal- coated fabrics because of their excellent adhesion and noncorrosive character.

1 table, 47 ref

001911   Dhamija S;Manshahia M (NO, Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, Birla Colony, Bhiwani-127 021, Email: titbhiwani@sancharnet.in) : Performance characteristics of mercerized ring-and compact- spun yarns produced at varying level of twist and traveller weight. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 295-300.

The performance characteristics of ring- and compact-spun yarns have been compared at varying level of lex twist factor, yarn linear density and traveller weight. It is observed that the ring yarns are comparatively softer due to the lower llexural rigidity. On the other hand, compact-spun yarns perform better in respect of abrasion resistance, tensile sticngih. knot strength, loop strength and breaking extension. The loss in tensile strength is higher when the yarn is looped as compared to that when the yarn is knotted: however, in both the cases the loss is found to be marginally lower for compacl-spun yarns. Further, the effect of mercerization on all these characteristics of both the yarns is found to be more pronounced in compact-spun yarns and the yarns spun at low twist factors.

4 tables, 26 ref

001910   Dhamija S;Chopra M (The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, Birla Colony, Bhiwani-127 021, Email: titbhiwani@sancharnet.in) : Tearing strength of cotton fabrics in relation to certain process and loom parameters. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 439-45.

Tearing strength of cotton fabrics made of ring- as well as compact-spun weft yarns has been studied in relation 10 certain process and loom parameters. It is observed that the fabrics made of compact-spun weft yarns are more tear resistant. The tearing strength further improves particularly in the weft-way direction with the increase in weft yarn linear density and welt tex twist factor. There is an initial increase in strength followed by a decrease as the number of picks/inch is increased in the cotton fabrics made of compact-spun yarns. However, for the fabrics made of ring yarns, it shows a general decreasing trend. The 2/2 designs are found to be superior in warp-way but inferior in weft-way directions. The fabrics woven on air-jet looms show lower tearing strength than those woven on projectile looms. The mechanical finish as well as the variation in shed opening do not affect the tearing strength of cotton fabrics produced from compact-spun weft yarns.

4 illus, 3 tables, 20 ref

001909   Debnath S;Madhusoothanan M (NO, National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fibre Technology, 12 Regent Park, Kolkata-700 040, Email: sanjoybnath@yahoo.com) : Compression behaviour of jute-polypropylene blended needle-punched nonwoven fabrics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 427-33.

The effect of fabric weight, needling density and blend proportion of jute and polypropylene fibres on companion properties has been studied. Box and Behnken experimental design has been used to study the individual and interactive effects on compression properties, namely initial thickness, percentage compression, percentage thickness loss and percentage compression resilience of jute-polypropylene blended needle-punched nonwoven fabrics. It is observed that the initial thickness increases prominently with the increase in fabric weight at the level of 40% polypropylene content in fabric. The fabric thickness reduces with the increase in needling density and the effect of fabric weight on initial thickness of the fabric is negligible at the higher level of polypropylene content in fabric. The increase in needling density or fabric weight reduces the percentage compression of jute-polypropylene fabric. The percentage thickness loss decreases with the increase in fabric weight. At higher fabric weight, the increase in needling density decreases the percentage thickness loss. irrespective of blends. The percentage compression resilience of the fabric increases with the increase in polypropylene content in the blend.

3 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

001908   Das D;Maulijk S R;Bhattacharya S C (NO, Institute of Jute Technology, 35 Ballygunga Circular Road, Kolkata-700 032, Email: ijt@cal2.vsnl.in) : Dyeing of wool and silk with Bixa orellana. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 366-72.

Silk and wool fabrics have been dyed employing extract of seeds of annato (Bixa orcllana) in absence and presence of magnesium sulphate, aluminium sulphate and ferrous sulphate. Colouration of both the fibres is found to be most effectively accomplished at pH 4.5 commonly in the absence and presence of such inorganic salts. Colour uptake for wool is found to be more than that for silk under all the conditions studied. The use of ferrous sulphate produces significant improvement in colour uptake when both the substrates are treated with such salt prior to application of annato. Coloured protein fibres, in general. produce light and wash fastness ratings of 2-3. Ferrous sulphate, however, improves colour fastness propertii-colour retention on washing of wool and silk fibres.

5 illes, 6 tables, 19 ref

001907   Das A;Kothari V K;Nagaraju V (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, Email: apurba_das@hotmail.com) : Frictional characteristics of woven suiting and shirting fabrics. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 337-43.

Functional characteristics of woven shirting and suiting fabrics with different blends and constructional parameters have been studied. Fabric-to-metal surface and fabric-to-fabric frictional characteristics in both warp-warp and weft-weft directions have also been studied. It is observed that the normal load and the frictional force follow the logarithmic relationship for all the fabrics. The nature of fabric friction has been characterized by different parameters, like ratio of frictional force to normal load, friction index, friction parameter and their ratio. Fabric-to-metal friction is found to be less sensitive to fabric morphology and rubbing direction, whereas the fabric-to-fabric friction is highly sensitive to these factor-.. Fabric-to-fabric friction has been affected by lot of factors, like type of fibre, type of blend, yarn structure, fabric structure, crimp, compressibility, etc. For all the fabrics, the kinetic friction is always lower than the static friction at different levels of normal load and the F/N ratio reduces consistently with the increase in normal pressure.

4 illus, 5 tables, 29 ref

001906   Dalvi P;Anthappan P;Darade N;Kanoongo N; Adivarekar R (Fibres and Textile Processing Technology Dep, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai-400 019, Email: ravi@udct.org) : Amylase and pectinase from single source for simultaneous desizing and scouring. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 459-65.

A wild type bacterial strain isolated from soil rhizosphere has been used to produce nmylase and pectinase in a common production media. Single step combined enzymatic desizing and scouring of grey cotton fabric using these enzymes have been done without further purification. The formulated media containing both the enzymes gives higher weight loss and absorbency compared to the commercial enzymatic desizing. The absorption coefficient alter treatment with formulated media is found to be similar to that observed after the conventional desizcd-scoured fabric treatment. It is observed that the study would improve textile processing in terms of ecofriendliness coupled with conservation of time energy and chemicals.

1 illus, 5 tables, 21 ref

001905   Behera B K;Mishra R (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Instute of Technology, New Delhi-1100 016, Email: behjera@textile.iitd.ernet.in) : Effect of crease behaviour, drape and formability on appearence of light weight worsted suiting fabric. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(3), 319-25.

The total appearance value has been correlated with the crease retention property, drape and formability measured using the simple testing procedures. Fabrics with a low crease recovery angle can tolerate a lower level of formability and have acceptable appearance. However, the fabrics with a larger crease recovery angle require a higher level of formability to achieve the same acceptable appearance.

4 illes, 3 tables 9 ref

001904   Behera B K;Mani M P (Textile technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, Email: behera@textile.iitd.ernet.in) : Characterization and classification of fabric defects using discrete cosine transformation and artificial neural network. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 421-26.

Images of woven fabric defects are gathered using charge coupled device imaging technique and digitized. Discrete cosine transformation (DCT) technique is adopted to charncterize the delects and back propagation algorithm based artificial neural network is used to classify the various fabric defects. DCT technique is found to give outstanding results for classification of fabric defects. The comparatively high prediction error in one or two cases may be due to the insufficient information about the particular defect from the coefficients of that defect.

5 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

001903   Balachandran S;Rudramoorthy R (School of Energy, P.S.G. College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 004) : Energy efficiency evaluation in some non-conventional textile dyeing techniques. J Text Ass 2008, 69(3), 133-9.

Textile wet processing consumes a considerable amount of energy, water and chemicals. The increased energy use in wet processing sector is due to increasing demand for both knitted and woven fabrics. It has become necessary to look for energy efficient techniques which use less energy, water, chemicals, etc. Use of more water in the form of high liquor ratio and also in washing requirement leads to more effluent and effluent disposal becomes a major concern. experimental study has been made to evaluate the energy efficiency in different non-conventional textile dyeing techniques. The non-conventional techniques considered here are ultrasound dyeing, microwave dyeing, infrared dyeing and magnetic stirred hot plate dyeing. The experimental results are analyzed to compare the dye uptake. Based on the dye uptake, the specific energy consumption figures in these techniques are compared with conventional dyeing. The operating variables like time, temperature and concentration are varied to know the effect of these variables on specific energy consumption. From the results, it has been observed that new techniques like ultrasonic, infrared and microwave are showing higher energy efficiency and lesser pollution than the conventional dyeing process. The dyed fabric has the same or better quality as in the conventional dyeing.

3 illus, 3 tables, 7 ref

001902   Badier Rahman S M;KamalUddin Md;AlamgirSayeed M M;AbdusSamad Md;Rahman M A (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dep, Jahangirnagar Univ, Saver, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh, Email: aminurbd@gmail.com) : Crosslinked dyed jute carpet pile yarns. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 477-80.

Jute carpet pile yarns have been trealed with Indosol E-50 powder, dyes and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂.6H₂O) catalyst, and both treated (crosslinked dyed) and untreated yarns are used to prepare jute carpets in a mill. Several carpet parameters, such as thickness recovery, compression recovery, work of recovery, tuft withdrawal force and moisture content, of the treated carpet samples have been studied and compared with those of the untreated carpet of the same pile higlit. Show improvement in the performance characteristics of the crosslinked dyed jute carpet.

3 tables, 10 ref

001901   Alagirusamy R;Dgale V;Bhowmick M (Textile Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110 016, Email: alagiru@gmail.com) : Air flow behaviour in commingling nozzles and their influence on properties of commingled yarns. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2007, 32(4), 414-20.

Two types of commingling nozzles have been used to study the air flow behaviour inside the nozzle and their effects on conimingling performance of glass/nylon yarns. The air flow behaviour has been analysed with computational fluid dynamics software FLUENT 6.1 and actual air flow velocities are calculated using measured air pressure. It is observed that there is a good correlation between the simulation and the measured air flow pattern. The air flow pattern in the Nozzle-1 configuration shows more turbulent zones than that in Nozzle-2. The commingled yarn properties also clearly indicate that the effectiveness of comminaline is much better with Nozzle-1 configuration than that with Nozzle-2 confimiration.

10 illus, 13 ref

001900   Adivarekar R V;Kanoongo N V;Manjrekar S G; Teli M D (Fibres & Textile Processing Technology Dep, ICT, Matunga, Mumbai-400 019, Email: ravi@udct.org) : Application of natural dyes on modified nylon, nylon and silk - "Indian madder". J Text Ass 2008, 69(3), 102-12.

Describes the possibility of dyeing modified nylon (MN) with Indian Madder, which is brilliant red in colour. The two polyamide fibres namely silk and nylon were also dyed with Indian Madder and the results were compared with dyed MN, as it intends to substitute silk fibre. The dyeings were subjected for analysis in terms of Tristimulus and CIELAB values as well as their performance properties.

3 tables, 3 ref

000999   Dutt D;Tyagi C H;Malik R S (Paper Technology Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Saharanpur Campus, Saharanpur-247 001, Email: dharm_dutt@rediffmail.com) : Studies on effect of growth factor on morphological, chemical and pulp and paper making characteristics and its impact on fluff generation. Indian J chem Technol 2007, 14(6), 626-34.

The dearth of cellulosic fibers has compelled the paper technocrats to search for high yielding and fast growing trees. Leucaena leucocephala has solved the manifold purposes of both farmers as well as paper manufacturers. However, paper manufacturers face the serious problem of fluff in the drying section of paper machine with this furnish. L. leucocephala of the same species was cut after 2. 3 and 4 years and was analyzed for, morphological, chemical and pulp evaluation characteristics. The fibers of 2 and 3 years old of L. leucocephala are immature and consist of more non-fibrous elements i.e. vessels and parenchymatous cells. When such type of fibers are subjected to mechanical attrition for removal of primary wall, cause more fiber cuttings instead of fibrillation. The primary wall is permeable to water but docs not participate in bond formation. These non-fibrous elements have larger surface area than fibers and their presence affects fiber bonding adversely. The loosely bonded fibers from the paper sheet adhere on press rolls or dryers during sheet making and contribute to fluff problem. L leucocephala cut after 4 years of cultivation docs not show fluff problem because of complete cellulose formation of fibers.

2 illus, 8 tables, 17 ref

000998   Chaudhary H;Saha S K (Mechanical Engineering Dep, MLV Textile and Engineering College, Bhilwara-311 001, Email: himanshubhl@rediffmail.com) : Dynamic performance improvement of a carpet scrapping machine. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(12), 1002-10.

Dynamic performance improvement like less vibration, smooth motor torque requirement, etc. of a carpet scrapping machine to enhance productivity and quality of Indian hand knotted carpets is presented. A complete dynamic analysis is carried out, along with optimum balancing of shaking force and shaking moment of machine. Inertia properties of machine are represented by dynamically equivalent systems, equimomental systems, of point-masses to identify design variables, and formulate associated constraints. Mass redistribution and counterweights are suggested methods to improve dynamic performances of existing carpet scrapping machine.

8 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

000997   Bhaskar N;Sakhare P Z;Suresh P V;Gowda L R; Mahendrakar N S (Central Food Technological Research Institute, , Mysore-570 020, Email: bhasg3@yahoo.co.in) : Biostabilization and preparation of protein hydrolysates from delimed leather fleshings. J scient ind Res 2007, 66(12), 1054-63.

Wet leather fleshings (LFs) from sheep and goatskins had high alkaline pH (12.1) and ash (18.1%) due to liming of fresh skins for leather production. Treatment of limed fleshings with 0.1% H₂O₂ (1:10 v/v) followed by 0.2 MCI (1:10 w/v) solutions produced very little or no H₂S. Delimed fleshings, mixed with 19.5% (v/w) Pediococcus (iciclolactici culture, 20% (w/w) sugar and 2% (w/w) common salt, on fermentation at 30±2°C yield silage (protein 7%, fat 8% and ash 3.6%), which can be used in animal feeds. Optimized conditions (enzyme, 1.5% v/w of Protex-6L: temp., 55°C: hydrolysis time, 180 min) for liydrolyzing delimed LFs were determined by RSM. LFs yield white hydrolysate (yield, 3.5%; nitrogen, 12.4%; and fat, 1.5% w/w), which can be used in aquaeulture and animal feeds to supplement arginine, phenylalamine and tyrosine.

5 illus, 10 tables, 35 ref