Purpose The purpose of this paper is to make available to the parachute industry tools to predict behaviour of certain textile materials. In addition to this, it is desired to reveal and explain the basic requirement criteria for proper textile material selection. The strength of an assembly as a whole is directly dependent on the strengths of the various joints and seams required to assemble the larger structure. Keeping in mind the complex problem of parachute construction, this research seeks to enlighten the industry about the performance of seams in nylon woven canopy fabrics. Five factors have been studied: different types of weave (plain, rip-stop and twill), density (number of stitches per centimetre), different rows of stitches with lapped seams, different types of stitches (lock stitch, chain stitch and zig-zag) and seam direction (warp, weft and bias direction). Two responses have been analysed, the seam breaking force and the seam efficiency (per cent ratio of seam strength to fabric strength). The test results were subjected to an analysis of variance and the seam strength proved to vary significantly not only with the primary parameters, but with the interactions of the primary parameters as well. That is seam strength (and seam efficiency) changes with each primary parameter but it changes in a different manner when other parameters change. Multiple regressions have been used to construct preliminary predictor equations for seam strength and efficiency, and investigations to provide better equations are in progress. Design/methodology/approach ANOVA techniques and statistical regression equations were formed. Findings The work has concluded that twill weave 9 with chain stitch has the maximum seam strength, which makes canopies made with 2/1 twill weave and stitched with lapped seam with four rows of chain stitch optimum for heavy supply droppings with a single use parachute(s). It is evident from the results that twill weave with lock stich has the maximum seam efficiency. This makes the canopies stitched with twill fabric, constructed with lapped seams and four rows of stitches ideal for parachutes to be used multiple times. The brake parachutes on aircrafts and parachutes used by sky divers and air combat soldiers can use parachutes whose canopies can be used many times made out of the above mentioned weave and stitch specification. Originality/value Original work was conducted from the woven fabrics.

This study aims to develop a tool to predict the behaviour under a load of textile seams, to enable the selection of materials for specified end uses in the parachute industry. The strength of an assembly is directly dependent on the strengths of the various joints and seams required to make the structure. This study seeks to understand the performance of seams woven into cotton fabrics. A combination of five parameters has been studied here. Two properties, the seam strength and seam efficiency (% ratio of seam strength to fabric strength), are used as performance estimators. Both were found to vary significantly not only with the primary parameters but also with the interactions of primary parameters as well. That is, they change with each of the primary parameters but vary in a different manner when other parameters also change. Multiple regression has been used to construct preliminary predictor equations.

The current study focuses on treated and untreated Musa acuminate peduncles fiber (MAPFs) reinforced polyester composites for lightweight application. For the first time, the impact of alkali treatment and fiber weight fraction on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of MAPFs bonded polyester composites have been examined. The fiber from 0 to 25 wt% (alkalitreated and raw) was reinforced with polyester matrix in compression/hand lay method. At 20 wt% of fiber, significant improvements in tensile strength (40.97 MPa), tensile modulus (1.18 GPa), impact (72.68 J/m), flexural strength (63.54 MPa) and flexural modulus (2.16 GPa) were recorded, whereas beyond reduces the properties. Following tensile testing, the fractured cross-sections of the composite were investigated using scanning electron microscope, which demonstrated that the alkali-treated MAPFs reinforced polyester composite had fewer voids and better fiber bonding. Thermogravimetric and atomic force microscopy analysis show that alkali-treated MAPFs are a viable reinforcement for polyester matrix due to higher degradation temperature and surface roughness observations.

The operations in assembling garment from their components, requires lot of energy and skill for the sewing operators. One of such operation is sleeve placket attachment in the construction of men’s formal shirt. Currently, the apparel technologists are working in inventing new jigs for the operations involved such construction both to lower the level of operator skill required and to increase the level of automation possible. However the development of jigs for operations like sleeve placket attachment are difficult to achieve. This work is an attempt to develop two stitching jigs for use in stitching together the components of the sleeve.