Title:

To study the effect of various concentrations of cationic based hydrocarbon softeners on tensile strength, tear strength and hand feel of 100% cotton fabric.

Abstract:

In this experiment, we studied the Effect of Various Concentrations of Hydrocarbon Based Cationic Softener on Tear, Tensile Strength and Hand Feel of 100% Cotton Fabric. The softeners impart lubrication due to long chain hydrocarbons. First, we calculated the pickup of the fabric at different pressures. Then we calculated the amount of softener in grams and prepared the recipe. After application of softener by padding we dried the sample at 120°C for 2 minutes. The properties of fabric were examined using Elmendorf’s tear and tensile tester. The coefficient of friction was also calculated.

1         Introduction:

A substance which is used to another substance to enhance its softness and pliability is called softener. Generally, they are the surfactants that imparts softness to the fabric. There are many types of softeners, we classified them on the basis of chemistry of softness imparting groups and also on the basis of their ionicity.

On the basis of softening imparting groups there are two types of softeners.

1.      Hydrocarbon based softeners.

2.      Silicon based softeners.   

And on the basis of ionicity there are five types of softeners.

1)      Cationic softeners.

2)      Anionic softeners.

3)      Non-ionic.

4)      Amphoteric softeners.

5)      Reactive softeners.

We are willing to study the various effects of the softener applied on the 100% cotton fabric on different concentrations and observing the different mechanical and physical properties occur on the desired fabric by using different concentrations we also find out the optimized amount of hydrocarbon based cationic softener in this experiment.

Softeners which used in textiles have ability to provide lubrication between the inter yarn and inter fiber structure due to which they increase the several properties of the fabric like hand feel, drapability and mechanical properties of the fabric. In mechanical properties it particularly increases the tear strength because the yarns of the fabric pass easily and makes a compact structure when stress is applied. Also, the effect that it enhances the hydrophobicity of the softeners.

2         Materials and Method:

2.1        Materials:

100% bleached cotton fabric is engaged for to perform this experiment who’s fabric quality is 40*40/110*90 and fabric structure is plain weave and also the GSM of the fabric is 128 g/m2. Cationic softener manufactured by Rudolf Pakistan Pvt Ltd. Trade name “perrustol EPW 18583”. Acetic acid for to maintain the pH at acidic condition such that 5.

2.2        Method:

Firstly, the pickup percentage of the given fabric is calculated by dipping it into the distilled water and then passing it on the padder. The pickup of the given fabric is 93.10%. After that the amount of the 2% softener used for the 300ml solution is calculated on the weight of the fabric by following formula.

Softener                      Liquor

2%                               93.10%

X                                 300

            X= 6.45g

As calculated by the above formula the 6.45g softener and 293.5g of the water is stirred in a beaker. And also maintained the pH of the solution present in the beaker at 5. Moving onto recipe setup, we went to the padder machine by adjusting padder pressure at 2bar we passed the fabric through the padder uniformly after that the given fabric was dried at 120oC for 2 minutes with the help of Stentor machine.

2.3        Characterization:

2.3.1      Hand feel:

By touching the softener treated fabric the hand feel is examined from both sides. The hand feel of the fabrics is primarily an in-person feeling.

2.3.2      Coefficient of friction:

The finished fabric is cut into 9cm/28cm. The sample is then set on the friction tester machine. The head of the machine performed rubbing action on the surface of the fabric and give the values of coefficient of static and dynamic friction.

2.3.3      Tensile strength:

Four samples are cut two for warp and two for weft wise to perform this test. The fabric width and length are 2.5 inch and 6 inches respectively. The pointer is adjusted at zero and lock it. Open the jaws and specimen length wise is pass through upper and lower jaws. The tester is on and the lever is push in downward direction so that lower jaw starts moving downward and exerting force on the specimen. The breaking force is record from left side breaking load scale.

2.3.4      Tear Strength:

Four samples are cut two for warp and two for weft. The size of sample is 100mm*63.5mm. The specimen is place one by one between fixed and moveable jaws and tight the screws. The cut is making on fabric with the help of cutter attached with tester. Knob is rotate in clockwise direction to release the pendulum. Fabric is tear as the pendulum released. The reading is record from the scale.

Results / Discussion

As we talk about the tear strength of the given fabric the about stated  and  it can be see that there is a slight increase in tear strength as the amount of softener is increased, because the concentration of softener increases so the coefficient of friction will reduces and when the stress is applied they will be packed in  a bunch and a high amount of force will be required to break them apart.

        Conclusion

From this experiment we concluded that the various concentrations of softener change the hand feel, tear strength, coefficient of friction and tensile strength of the 100% cotton fabric significantly. The softener causes good softness due to long chain hydrocarbons. These chains cause lubrication so it reduces the coefficient of friction and increases the tear strength and decreases the tensile strength as the yarns and fibers are now slip over each other.