a b s t r a c tThe washability issue is always a challenge for electronic textiles in terms of application. It reduces their reliability, makes them not robust enough, and therefore not ready for the market. In this study, a novel protocol was designed to test the performance of conductive threads under wet situation in order to simulate the washing cycle. In this content, two commercially available silver-plated polyamide threads having the same thread count were used and washing results of each thread were discussed. Transmission lines with silver-plated polyamide threads onto cotton woven fabric were produced via sewing (single-line stitch) and embroidery techniques (three-line stitch) to improve the conductivity and robustness. For the simulation of the wash process, Martindale abrasion tester was used under wet and dry conditions. Moreover, felts of abrasion tester and transmission lines were put into different solutions, i.e., water, water with standardized detergent and water with commercially available detergent. After wetting specimens, abrasion tests were performed on transmission lines, and linear electrical resistance measurements were recorded with the multi meter before abrasion and every 1500 cycles up to 4500 cycles in wet conditions and also after drying the transmission lines. Finally, abrasion impact on silver-plated polyamide threads was investigated by optical microscope. It has been found that silver coating on the conductive thread was damaged when subjected to abrasion cycles, especially in wet states. Water itself has stress impact on samples provoking the electrical resistance increase rapidly. Commercial detergent with water was found to have the most damaging effect on the conductive threads because of extra particles presence to enhance the washing performance. In terms of integration methods, better electrical conductivity values were achieved in three-line embroidery transmission lines due to multiple interconnection points in the embroidery network.
It is expected from a fabric applied with durable softener agent, not only a smooth, slippery and soft touch but also durable color even after several cycles of use and care. From this point of view, at this study weft knitted fabrics were manufactured using Siro, ring and open-end cotton yarns, bleached and dyed, followed by softening treatment with silicone, cationic and nonionic softeners at 1 and 3% softener concentration levels. Color strength and lightness values of the treated fabrics were evaluated by considering color changes after abrasion. Since the loss of fibers from a fabric surface during abrasion cycles causes prominent changes in the fabric's color, differentiation in the color that occur after a certain number of abrasion cycles (2500, 5000, 7500, 10000) were also measured for evaluation of the abrasion resistance of a fabric. Considering the yarn type and number of abrasion cycles, interaction effects of those with softener type and softener concentration on color strength and lightness were presented and discussed separately. From the results, it was observed that the color values of fabrics after abrasion cycles are closely related to yarn type, softener type, and concentration. The most significant changes in both L* and K/S values were obtained after fabric were abraded 2500 cycles. Softener type, as well as concentration, should be decided according to the target color shade before coloration.
In this study, an anhydrous enzyme washing process was produced as an alternative for stone washing which is one of the major steps of denim production. For this concept, 3 different fabric contents and 4 different anhydrous washing enzymes were used, the visual appearance as well as the strength of the products that was obtained after washing were compared with the products that was made with conventional stone washing. The results of the physical performance and visual tests showed that the developed anhydrous enzyme washing process can replace the stone washing process. In addition, up to 12 liters of water was saved on a product basis and the use of pumice stone was completely eliminated. Therefore, product costs were also reduced while natural resource consumption was reduced.
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