A Study on the Influence of Natural Agents on the Absorption Properties of Cotton Fabrics – Part 1

Abstract

India has a strong and proven track record for the manufacturing of many textile products, mainly cotton-based textile materials. This research aims to investigate herbal extract–treated cotton fabrics with a focus on investigating absorption properties. The treated fabric samples were analyzed for their static absorption (%), immersion time (seconds), surface water absorption (milliliters), and vertical wicking height (centimeters). To evaluate the developed herbal extract–treated fabric samples, they were compared with market established commercial silver agents, namely nanosilver. The finished cotton fabrics with specifications of 140 g/m2, plain weave with 15 % finished concentration, and untreated cotton fabrics had static water absorption of 318 and 328 %; immersion time of 1.66 and 1.65 s; surface water absorption of 17 and 18.1 mL; and vertical wicking heights of 3.2 and 4.9 cm, respectively. Water repellency properties had slightly changed for some of the treated fabrics such as higher areal density 220 and 240 g/m2 terry weave fabrics with ratings of ISO 50 adjacent to untreated fabric sample ratings of ISO 0. Water repellency results indicated that there was no characteristic change in water response property (i.e., water absorption) of herbal extract–treated samples. Ashwagandha, combined aloe vera: tulsi and combined banana peels: casein–treated cotton fabrics of 140 and 240 g/m2 with 10 % finish concentration showed better water absorption properties in comparison with the other herbal extract–treated samples.