A one-dimensional infiltration/cure model was developed to simulate fabrication of advanced textile composites by the resin film infusion process. The simulation model relates the applied temperature and pressure processing cycles, along with the experimentally measured compaction and permeability characteristics of the fabric preforms, to the temperature distribution, the resin degree of cure and viscosity, and the infiltration flow front position as a function of time. The model also predicts the final panel thickness, fiber volume fraction, and resin mass for full saturation as a function of compaction pressure. The infiltration model is based on D’arcy’s law for flow through porous media. Composite panels were fabricated using the RTM film infusion technique from knitted, knitted/stitched, and 2-D woven carbon preforms and Hercules 3501-6 resin. Prior to fabrication, the deflection and permeability of the preforms were measured as a function of compaction pressure. Measurements of the temperature distribution, the resin viscosity and degree of cure, and the infiltration flow front position were compared with the RTM simulation model results. The model predictions were within 12% of the experimental results. Fabric composites were fabricated at different compaction pressures and temperature cycles to determine the effects of the processing on the properties. The composites were C-scanned and micrographed to determine the quality of each panel. Composite panels fabricated using different temperature cycles to the same state of cure and similar compaction pressures were found to have similar compressive and shear properties. Advanced cure cycles, developed from the RTM simulation model, were utilized to reduce the total cure cycle times by a factor of 3 and the total infiltration times by a factor of 2. / Master of Science

The role of the interior designer in providing for fire safe interiors is an important one. The textile end-products they specify play an important part in the start and/or spread of interior fires. Furthermore, the rate of developments in textile testing and products makes it difficult for designers to keep abreast of the latest information. This thesis provides a program for updating interior designers on fire safe interior textiles. A one hour update program was developed as part of the thesis and delivered to members of the Southwest Regional Chapter of ASID in Roanoke, Virginia. An analysis of data from a survey showed that participants believe there is a need for an educational program such as this course and that they would attend a five hour CEU course developed on this subject. Responses to questions on textile fibers, standard tests, and new products on the market supported the perceived need for continuing education on the subject of fire safe textiles. The course evaluation in turn, determined that some areas of the program needed to be revised. This thesis provides a packaged program which can be easily updated. Furthermore, anyone with a textile background can use this program in preparing and delivering a CEU course on fire safety and interior textiles. / Master of Science

Textiles may be used as a vehicle to penetrate and exemplify a society's customs and traditions. This dissertation concentrates on the Kuba cloths from Zaire and particularly focuses on the social and political implications associated with these textiles. Part One explores the economic aspects of the cloths and the values of work, wealth, status and titleholding among the Kuba. The Kuba's aesthetic preference for pattern and design will be contemplated in relation to the cloths and as an illustration of this culture's concern with decoration and display. Part Two of this study examines the occasions for which these cloths are adorned. It will be observed that these celebrations and rituals, in conjunction with their ceremonial modes of dress, not only underline the importance of the nation and its ideologies and customs (as examined in Part One) but serve to acknowledge ethnic identity, as well as maintain and perpetuate the social and political order of the Kuba. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (History of Art)

Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Adelaide, 2003. / Bibliography: p. leaves 89-93.

Textiles may be used as a vehicle to penetrate and exemplify a society's customs and traditions. This dissertation concentrates on the Kuba cloths from Zaire and particularly focuses on the social and political implications associated with these textiles. Part One explores the economic aspects of the cloths and the values of work, wealth, status and titleholding among the Kuba. The Kuba's aesthetic preference for pattern and design will be contemplated in relation to the cloths and as an illustration of this culture's concern with decoration and display. Part Two of this study examines the occasions for which these cloths are adorned. It will be observed that these celebrations and rituals, in conjunction with their ceremonial modes of dress, not only underline the importance of the nation and its ideologies and customs (as examined in Part One) but serve to acknowledge ethnic identity, as well as maintain and perpetuate the social and political order of the Kuba. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (History of Art)

Thesis (MTech (Quality))Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 2008. / The South African Government provides support to the clothing and textile industry by making funding available through programs in the Department of Science and Technology, such as the Tshumisano Technology Stations Program. The Technology Stations Program in particular supports a Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles (TSCT) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), serving the needs for technology support and skills upgrading of the industry in the Western Cape, and in some instances, nationally. The TSCT testing laboratory provides testing services to small medium and large companies in South Africa at a reduced cost. The laboratory emphasises that customers should have fabrics tested before production commences. In this regard, the company will know the quality of the fabric or garment being purchased or manufactured. The laboratory technicians and assistants undergo a 'Woolworths' certification process on their test methods on an annual basis. The Woolworths certification is customer based. The laboratory is faced on a daily bases with the problem that more and more of their customers request that the facility should seek higher 'accreditation', as opposed to the current 'certification' it currently holds. The TSCT testing laboratory in addition has a responsibility to satisfy all of its customer certification and accreditation needs. Against this background, the management of the CPUT TSCT testing laboratory is now seeking accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to widen the spectrum of its testing abilities. The primary research objectives of this dissertation are: To determine what the requirements are for SANAS accreditation by the CPUT TSCT testing laboratory. To determine if the CPUT TSCT testing laboratory is subject to a forced intervention for SANAS accreditation. To determine the criteria required for the CPUT TSCT testing laboratory accreditation. To determine the benefits that could be gleaned from this accreditation. To determine the effectiveness of the laboratory system, with regard to the fact that in addition to testing, the laboratory is used for teaching and learning. Descriptive research will serve as the research type, as it will describe an existing phenomena taking place. The research will be theoretical in nature and conducted in terms of both positivistic and phenomenological paradigms. Case study research will serve as research method. Data collection for the proposed research will be conducted using questionnaires. The CPUT Clothing and Textile Technology Department will serve as sampling frame, while the sample of respondents will be drawn on the basis of probability sampling. The sample will include lecturing staff, students, industry testing customers, textile test laboratory technicians, administration and support staff, all of whom are directly involved with the operation or make use of the laboratory facilities.

by Deborah L. Christiansen / Typescript / Ph. D. Florida State University 1999 / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-113)

In order to develop a program whereby people can be educated to appreciate and choose the best contemporary designs among the many textiles that are available, it is necessary to know which types of textiles, if any, among those designed in the modern manner, the public accepts, which it rejects, and the factors that influence selection. This study was made to discover those factors -- such as color, subject matter, and utility -- that determine popular choices in a representative group of well-designed modern printed textiles which were available on the Dallas market. The textiles were placed on public exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts.

As the clothing industry moves away from traditional models of mass production there has been increased interest towards customised clothing. The technology to produce cost effective customised clothing is already in place however the prerequisite to customised clothing is accurate body dimensional data. In response, image capture systems have been developed which are capable of recording a three-dimensional image of the body, from which measurements and shape information may be extracted. The use of these systems for customised clothing has, to date, been limited due to issues of inaccuracy, cost and portability. To address the issue of inaccuracy a diagnostic procedure has been developed through the performance evaluation of an image capture system. By systematically evaluating physical and instrumental parameters the more relevant sources of potential error were identified and quantified and subsequently corrected to form a `closed loop' experimental procedure. A systematic test procedure is therefore presented which may be universally applied to image capture systems working on the same principle. The methodology was based upon the isolation and subsequent testing of variables that were thought to be potential sources of error. The process therefore included altering the physical parameters of the target object in relation to the image capture system and amending the configuration and calibration settings within the system. From the evaluation the most relevant sources of error were identified as the cosine effect, measurement point displacement, the dimensional differences between views and the influence of the operator in measurement. The test procedure proved to be effective in both evaluating the performance of the system under investigation and in enabling the quantification of errors. Both random and systematic errors were noted which may be quantified or corrected to enable improved accuracy in the measured results. Recommendations have been made for the improvement of the performance of the current image capture system these include the integration of a cosine effect correction algorithm and suggestions for the automation of the image alignment process. The limitations of the system such as its reliance on manual intervention for both the measurement and stitching processes, are discussed, as is its suitability for providing dimensional information for bespoke clothing production. Recommendations are also made for the creation of an automated test procedure for testing the performance of alternative image capture systems, which involves evaluating the accuracy of object replication both for multiple and single image capture units using calibration objects which combine a range of surfaces.

This investigation examines the structure-property relationships of high modulus fibres. Five fibre classes were chosen for examination. These are p-aromatic copolyamide (Armos and SVM) and poly-p-aramids (Terlon and Kevlar) obtained from rigid chain polymers; poly-m-aramids (Phenylon and Nomex) obtained from semi rigid chain polymers, and aliphatic polyamide (Capron and Nylon) and Polyethylene obtained from flexible chain polymers. The thermo-mechanical properties studied include tensile properties, thermal shrinkage, creep-recovery, stress-relaxation and residual deformation over a range of temperatures. Results show that mechanical properties are highly related to chain rigidity, orientation and crystallinity of the fibres. The presence of aromatic rings in polymer chains increase the polymer rigidity. The higher the intermolecular attractive force and chain rigidity, the greater the resistance to heat. Study of the creep-recovery properties of polyamide fibres shows that irrecoverable residual deformation for the rigid chain polymers is accumulated within a very short initial period of time (15 seconds) when the load is applied. However for semi-rigid or flexible chain polymer fibres, the residual deformation is accumulated during the whole creep process. The characteristics of tensile stress-strain properties and the accumulation of residual deformation are found to be temperature dependent, especially in the case of Armos and SVM. The mechanical properties of polyamide fibres are also influenced by moisture which is associated with intermolecular interaction. Supplementary studies using FTIR, SEM and DSC were also undertaken. FTIR was used for preliminary investigation into the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and associated moisture in fibres. The results support the explanation of the thermomechanical properties of polyamide fibres. SEM results show the fibre rupture mechanism related to the fibre structures.