TENSILE PROPERTIES OF COTTON POLYETHYLENE BLENDS: A REVIEW

1. TENSILE PROPERTIES OF COTTON POLYETHYLENE BLENDS: A REVIEW George Ruppenicker1, Paul S. Sawhney1, Jayaram Subramaniam2, Kumar V. Singh3 , and, Su-Seng Pang2, 1Southern Regional Research Center, ARS/USDA New Orleans, LA 70124, 2Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, 3Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056. OBJECTIVES YARN STRENGTH TEST DATA FR-TREATED FABRIC TEST DATA • Study the requirements of various mechanical and physical properties of fabrics used in military and industrial applications. • Study various natural and synthetic fibers that meet these requirements. • Review the physical and mechanical properties of cotton/HT-polyethylene blend yarns and fabrics and compare them with 100% cotton equivalents. • Study the effects of common cotton flame-retardant (FR) coatings on the mechanical behavior of cotton/polyethylene blends. MILITARY TENTS AND REQUIRMENTS FABRIC TENSILE STRENGTH TEST DATA CONCLUSIONS • The study shows that cotton/polyethylene blends have far superior tensile and tear strengths, compared to pure cotton fabrics. • The flex-abrasion resistance of cotton polyethylene blends increases with the increase in percentage of polyethylene. • The nitrogen-phosphorous FR coating on the blend does not affect the tensile and tearing strengths of the fabric • However, the abrasion resistance of FR-treated fabric drastically reduces, which is a reason for concern. • Further studies of the modifications of properties of cotton/polyethylene blends can help in the revival of the market for cotton in military and industrial applications. • Tent structures are mobile, light-weight, temporary shelters. • The skeleton is made of flexible but strong members based on load-bearing requirements. • The use of a light-weight fabric is a primary concern. • The fabric must possess properties, such as high wet strength, natural water resistance, breathability, and fire retardancy. • Good tensile strength, tear strength, and wear resistance (durability) are essential mechanical properties FABRIC TEAR STRENGTH TEST DATA COTTON /DYNEEMAR BLENDS REFERENCES FLEX-ABRASION RESISTANCE DATA • Dyneema is a high-tenacity, gel-spun polyethylene fiber with long, parallel and dense molecular chains. Ultra drawing of the gel forms the strong molecular chains. The fiber has a tenacity of over 315gf/tex and it is 15 times stronger than cotton. • Dyneema can be intimately blended with cotton and spun on a ring spinning frame. Cotton/Dyneema blends inherently are not fire- retardant or -resistant. A special chemical finishing of the (blend) fabric is required. • Blends containing 10%, 20% and 30% Dyneema and the rest cotton were investigated. • Mechanical properties of the blend yarns and fabrics were compared with those of pure cotton. • A comparative study of the effects of fire-retardant coatings, such as Antimony-Halogen and Nitrogen-Phosphorous, on the strength properties of the blend fabrics. • “Flame retardant fiber blend containing fibers” A.J Rosenthal, et al. Patent 4035542, Filing date: May 16, 1974, Issue date: Jul 12, 1977. • DSM High Performance Fibres, The Netherlands, “Properties of Dyneema HPPE Fiber, technical brochure”,1994. • U.S. Federal Supply Service, GSA, Federal Standards for Textile Methods, No. 191A:Method 5903, 1978 • American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM Designations: D1424-83, D1578-78, D1682-64 (1975), D2256-80, D3885-80 • Isaacs, J.L, The oxygen Index Flammability Test., J.Fire and Flammability 1:36-47,1970 • Hendrix, J.E Drake, GG.L Jr and Reeves. W. A., “Effects of Temperature on oxygen Index Values, Textile Res Journal, 41:360, 1971. FLAME-RETARDANCY TEST DATA