Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the acoustic properties of needle-punched nonwovens produced of bamboo, banana and hemp fibers blended with polyester (PET) and polypropylene (PP) as they are supportive enough to minimize sound transmission inside the automobiles. Design/methodology/approach Textile materials like bamboo, banana and hemp blended with PET and PP in the ratio of 35:35:30 were applied to make the web. The needle-punching technique was applied to each web for three times to form a full nonwoven textile composite. The concept of PET/PP blend with natural fibers was to enhance the consistency and thermoform propensity of the composites. When nonwoven textile composites were placed in between a sound source and a receiver, they absorbed annoying sound by dissolving sound wave energy. Sound absorption coefficient was measured by the impedance tube method as per ASTM C384 Standard. Bamboo/PET/PP composite showed the highest absorption coefficient in most of the frequencies. Findings Physical and comfort properties were tested for the composites and it was noticed that bamboo/PET/PP composites with its compressed structure showed a better stiffness value, lesser thermal conductivity, lesser air permeability, better absorption coefficient and highest sound transmission loss compared to other two composites. At 840 Hz, the absorption coefficient of bamboo/PET/PP remained in satisfactory level but it was inferior by 20 percent in banana/PET/PP. Conversely at more frequencies like 1,680 Hz, there was a decrease from the target level in all the nonwovens composites, which could be enhanced by raising the thickness of the nonwovens, and all these properties of bamboo/PET/PP were considered appropriate for controlling noise inside the vehicles. Practical implications This research will provide facilities to decrease noise inside the vehicles. It will improve the apparent value of the automobiles to the traveler and also provide a sensible goodwill to the manufacturer. Originality/value This research will open several ways for the development of different nonwoven composites, particularly for the sound absorption and will open possible ways for the scholars to further study in this field.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the production of cotton spandex woven fabric with some user-friendly properties like wearer comfort, super stretch and elasticity. The findings could contribute to ease spandex production and to optimize its property of elasticity. Stretch or a super stretch property is generally desirable, as it can increase the comfort level of those who wear it. In this experiment, the difficulties which were identified while manufacturing cotton spandex woven fabric resolved after identification. Design/methodology/approach In this experiment, three types of cotton spandex woven fabrics, with different composition and constructions, were used to find out their elastic properties. Temperature ranging from 160°C to 200°C with the machine speed of 20 to 26 MPM (meter per minute) was applied with an adjusted industrial setting with the facilities of a stenter machine to optimize the properties of cotton spandex woven fabric. Findings The findings establish that the temperature treatment closely compacted the elastic portions with cotton fibers, giving stability to the spandex yarn, which as a result, influenced cotton spandex woven fabric’s elastic properties, namely, stretch, growth and recovery. The consequences of temperature on cotton spandex yarns were assessed using a microscope, and the results were subsequently analyzed. Research limitations/implications Because of the poor facilities in testing laboratory, only few tests with microscopic evaluation were conducted to assess the elastic performances of cotton spandex woven fabric. Practical implications It is a practice-based research, and the findings could be beneficial to personnel in the textile industry, who are responsible for the manufacturing of cotton spandex woven fabric. Social implications This research could enhance the wearer’s satisfaction, with some comfort elastic properties, which can have a positive influence over spandex clothing industries. Originality/value This research establishes that heat setting had a progressive influence on the production of cotton spandex woven fabric and for the optimization of its elastic performances. This research opens a possible way for scholars to further study in this field.

The aim of this paper is to study the solutions of environment pollutions and worker's health problems caused by textile manufacturing operations like spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and printing etc. The findings of this paper established that, textile manufacturing processes have serious impact on worker's health. Textile manufacturing zones like spinning and weaving sections are generating loud noise those are creating hearing problems to the workers. In the same time, these sections are spreading dust to the air those are creating breathing problems to the workers. Employees working in the dyeing sections are coming in touch to the harmful dyes, chemicals and auxiliaries those are creating serious skin problems, even sometimes cancer. Bleaching and dyeing sections are releasing toxic gases to the environment by which men and animals are seriously suffering with safety and health issues. While producing natural fibers, harmful chemicals and insecticides are thrown to the plants to protect them from different insects; those are also creating health problems to the men and animals. Employees working in the weaving sections have to perform the task of drafting and denting before starting a loom, those are creating problems to the eyesight. Besides, these textile manufacturing operations are polluting the environmental drastically. Textile industries are releasing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases to air, those are drastically polluting the environment, increasing global temperature, melting ice of the poles and causing sea level rise. This increased temperature also causes greenhouse effect. Dyeing and printing industries are dumping the toxic chemicals, dyes and oils to water and polluting river, cannel and sea. These industries are also dumping the toxic and solid garbage to soil and polluting the environment. If textile industries can use effluent treatment plant (ETP) to purify the used chemicals and water before dumping down them to river, then the problem of water pollution could be solved. Industries should also use chemical chimney to reduce air pollution. Workers should use ear plugs to be safe from noise pollution. They should use mask to be safe from odor pollution and dust. They also can use glasses to give protection to the eyes. While working in the dyeing sections to prepare recipe, employees should use masks, gloves, aprons to get protections from harmful chemicals and auxiliaries. Employees should follow all the health care and hygiene issues. Industrialists should follow all the safety issues before running the industries. Everyone should come forward from everyone's end to make the world better and greener. This paper is beneficial to the personnel involved in environment science studies who are in charge of working with the environmental issues. This paper opens possible ways for the scholars to further study in this field.

The aim of this article was to express the importance of this projected work in the field of present competitive textile-world as fabric manufacturing industries are competing with each other to be unique and aristocrat with their products for attaining customer's attention and increasing their significance to others. To be superior in market, research is the first priority in this perspective competing field.

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