Hyun Ah Kim

By Seung Jin Kim and Hyun Ah Kim

This study examined the physical properties of kenaf fiber-imbedded nonwoven for automotive pillar trim according to the blend ratio of the fibers and needle-punching process conditions. Kenaf-imbedded nonwoven specimens mixed with polypropylene (PP) and low-melt PET (LM PET) fibers were prepared via needle-punching, and their physical properties such as air permeability, water absorption, sound absorption coefficient, and porosity were investigated according to the various processing conditions. The kenaf-imbedded nonwoven treated with high needle depth in the needle-punching process and/or mixed with a large amount of LM PET exhibited the highest breaking and tearing strengths, due to the high weight of the nonwoven specimens. A high blend percentage of LM PET fibers reduced the pore size, which resulted in low air permeability and water absorption. The sound absorption coefficient of the kenaf-imbedded nonwoven specimens was highly dependent on its weight and thickness. Regarding the lamination treatment, the laminated nonwoven exhibited higher breaking and tearing strengths, thermal conductivity, and sound absorption coefficient than the non-treated one. In addition, the HDPE powder-treated nonwoven exhibited lower breaking and tearing strengths, air permeability, water absorption, and sound absorption, due to the reduced pore size.

Part of the book: Generation, Development and Modifications of Natural Fibers

By Seung Jin Kim and Hyun Ah Kim

Recently, high-performance functional textile goods have been commercialized using various ceramic nanopowders, such as ZrC, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, ZnO, ATO, and TiO_2, embedded in the yarns and fabrics. This study examines the warm-cool feeling characteristics of ceramic-incorporated fabrics with their process, characterization, and thermal characteristics. This topic is divided as follows: review (introduction), preparation (experimental), characterization with thermal property (results and discussion), and summary. As a review, heat release and storage properties of the various ceramic-embedded fabrics are introduced and multifunctional properties of different ceramic-embedded fabrics such as UV-cut and anti-static with thermal wear comfort are reviewed with types of ceramic particles embedded in the yarns through the literature published up to now. In the text, warm-cool feelings of ceramic-embedded fabrics prepared in this study are compared in terms of heat flow rate (Qmax) and thermal insulation value (TIV) and summarized with dye-affinity and color-fastness of the ceramic-embedded fabrics. Finally, the future prospect for functional to textiles treated with ceramic materials is proposed in the fields of water repellence, anti-bacteria, flame retardation, anti-static, and UV protection.

Part of the book: Ceramic Materials