Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176697
Title: COTTON FLAX BLENDED NONWOVEN FABRICS WITH VALUE-ADDED PROPERTIES FOR INDUSTRIAL MARKETS

Author
item ANNIS, P - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Akin, Danny
item FOULK, JOHN - 6612-05-03
item DODD, ROY - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item VAUGHN, E - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item KNOPP, J - NO. CAROLINA STATE UNIVER
item BREWER, M - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2005
Publication Date: 6/15/2005
Citation: Annis, P.P., Akin, D.E., Foulk, J.A., Dodd, R.B., Vaughn, E.A., Knopp, J.A., Brewer, M.S. 2005. Cotton flax blended nonwoven fabrics with value-added properties for industrial markets. In: Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 4-7. p. 2780-2786.

Interpretive Summary: Multiple uses of flax fiber are needed to push development of an industry for the US. One of the fastest growing areas for natural fibers like flax is the use of nonwoven fabrics in a variety of applications. Researchers from USDA and universities collaborated on using various source of flax and cotton fibers in blends with different proportions of the fibers, and fabrics were tested for properties. Significant different occurred for various characteristics, with these results indicating particular applications for some blends but not for others. Research will help define applications for various types of flax fiber and direct research to specific problem areas.

Technical Abstract: A series of non-woven fabrics composed of different ratios of cotton to flax were manufactured using a drylaid needlepunching system. The percentage of cotton was varied from 100% to 0% to determine the effect of blend composition and fiber quality on several different physical properties. Blending cotton with flax in needlepunched non-wovens increased tensile, tearing, and bursting strengths, and influenced other properties normally affected by a high percentage of flax such as stiffness and resilience. These improved characteristics could contribute to greater industrial use of lower grades of cotton as well as expand potential for developing markets for two biobased fibers. Continuing research is focused on identifying an optimum blend level and fiber quality for value-added industrial end uses.