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The manufacturing and characterisation of piezoelectric textile fibres are described in this thesis. A piezoelectric material is one that generates an electric voltage when deformed, a property which exists in a number of materials. The polymer with the strongest known piezoelectric effect today is poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), however it must be processed under certain conditions to become piezoelectric. This study shows that piezoelectric bicomponent PVDF-based fibres can be produced by melt spinning, which is a common and relatively simple fibre spinning method. The melt spinning process must include cold drawing, as this introduces a polar crystalline structure in the polymer. The fibres must also be electroded, which is done by producing bicomponent fibres with a core-and-sheath structure. The core is electrically conductive and constitutes an inner electrode consisting of a carbon black/polymer compound, whereas the sheath is PVDF and constitutes the piezoelectric component. Being sensitive to both deformation and temperature changes, these fibres are anticipated to be useful in a number of sensor applications. The flexibility and small size of the fibres makes it possible to include them as miniature-sensors in structures or garment without affecting the shape or comfort.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Sculptural Textiles is a material investigation exploring sculptural possibilities for machine woven textiles. Two important factors are yarn combinations and textile construction, and how these two together can result in fabrics that can be manipulated by hand into shapes and thus adaptable to various settings. The essence of this project is in the meeting between contrasts such as shiny-dull, elastic-stiff, transparent-opaque, natural and synthetic and how these meetings can create sculptural qualities. The project is aiming to create a range of sculptural textiles as well as being an exploration in material. Construction and density are tools to bring forth the beauty and function of the materials. The result is a range of textiles showing that small changes in material and construction can lead to different sculptural characteristics.

M.Com. (Commerce) / The fundamental goal of this thesis is to assess the level of international competitiveness of the South African textile industry. implementation of GATT guidelines over the proposed period, will have a considerable impact on the South African Textile as welI as relevant industries. The Textile Industry will be faced with an increasing level of international competition. The protection enjoyed by the industry over the past 35 years has contributed to the low level of international competitiveness of the South African textile industry...