The effect of different fiber blend ratios and bulk densities at similar thicknesses on air permeability and sound absorption coefficient was investigated. The raw materials used were cotton, polyester, and bi-component fibers to make acoustic nonwovens through the air-laid and thermal bonding processes. A uniform thermal-conductivity box was designed in order to make thermally bonded nonwovens with fixed thicknesses. The experimental results depict that the air flow resistance of three-layer nonwoven was 0.565 kPa&mitdott;s/m, which was about four times greater than one-layer of 0.12 kPa·s/m. Sound absorption coefficient of 20% polyester-60% cotton-20% bicomponent nonwoven with lower bulk density was greater than the 60% polyester-20% cotton-20% bicomponent nonwoven. The sound absorption coefficient varied based on which fabric side faced the testing apparatus.
Turkey feather fibers were characterized and then converted into products such as yarn and nonwoven fabrics for a study into the feasibility of their use as textile products. Yarn containing blends of nylon and up to thirty percent turkey feather fibers were spun by combining novel techniques with commercial yarn spinning machinery. These yarns were tested for determination of their mechanical properties. As the percentage of turkey feather fibers increased, the tenacity and elongation of the yarns decreased while the modulus increased. These yarns were knitted into fabrics to determine their insulating properties. As the percentage of turkey feather fibers increased the insulating capabilities of the fabrics also increased. Recent research has focused on producing nonwoven fabrics containing turkey feather fibers utilizing various production methods for use as erosion control fabrics.
Currently, between two and four billion pounds of feathers are produced annually by the poultry processing industry (1). These feathers present a disposal problem, and are usually converted to animal feed. A method of effectively stripping the feather fibers from the quill without damaging the fibers has been patented, and as a result research is being conducted to determine uses for these fibers (4). Current research has focused on creating latex bonded fabrics containing turkey feather fibers for utilization as erosion control fabrics. These fabrics have been compared with currently available erosion control fabrics to determine their suitability for this particular purpose. The turkey fiber fabrics performed similarly to the commercially available erosion control fabrics tested in terms of light and water transmittance. None of the fabrics significantly affected the pH, nitrogen or phosphorus content of the soil even though the turkey fabrics had fully decomposed by the conclusion of the experiment. The turkey fabrics increased soil moisture content and decreased soil compaction, which are critical properties for successful ecological restoration of habitats. One significant drawback of the turkey fabrics was difficulty in handling and installation on the site compared to the two commercial erosion control fabrics tested.
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