Effect of Textile Parameters on Microfiber Shedding …
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4.4.1 Mechanical Finishes
Mechanical finishes like singeing, calendaring, raising, and brushing are usually done
to improve the handle and alter the bulkiness of the fabrics. The shedding behavior
can be varied with different finishes. In the raising process, the surface of the material
is brushed to improve bulkiness and softness. As a result, fibers will be protruding on
the surface which can easily slip from the surface and this can probably increase the
shedding. However, in singeing and calendaring, the protruding fibers are eliminated
and this can cause reduced shedding [54]. Cai et al. studied the effects of mechanical
surface treatments on the shedding behavior of textile materials. In their study, they
analyzed the fleece and plain brushed fabrics and compared them with the fabrics
without surface treatments. In the case of fleece fabrics, the surface fibers are cut by
blades in the shearing process to get the desired surface effect whereas, in the case of
plain brushed fabrics, metal brushes are used to break the surface fibers to produce
the desired effect. They have noticed a significant impact of surface treatment on
the shedding. They have reported that the fabrics which have undergone mechanical
surface treatments have shed a higher number of microfibers than the untreated
fabrics. They have supported their findings with the fact that surface treatments like
shearing and brushing cause the generation of loose surface fibers and also loosen
the yarn and surface structures, thereby increasing the shedding [55].
The other researchers have also reported the same conclusion that the brushing of
fabrics has a significant impact on the shedding. A variety of fabric surfaces can be
obtained with a wide variety of brushing techniques. Though the effect of different
brushing techniques is not studied, it has to be noted that the shedding can be reduced
with reduced brushing [43]. In the other research where the different method of
microfiber extraction (ultrasonication) is done, the same result was obtained. They
have also noticed higher shedding in the case of samples with surface treatments
(fleece and brushed surface) than the untreated sample [47].
4.4.2 Chemical Finishes
Generally, chemical finishes are not responsible for microfiber generation. Usually, in
chemical finishing, the chemicals bind the protrusion in the surface and form a layer
over the fabric surface. Since the protruding fibers are bound within the surface,
the fiber release will be lesser. Certain finishes can be made to reduce shedding
[54]. Some researches have been made to understand the effectiveness of chemical finishes on reducing the microfiber shedding. De Falco Francesca et al. have
studied the effect of pectin-based finishes in reducing the microfiber shedding of
woven polyamide fabrics by padding process. They have provided pectin modified
with glycidyl methacrylate coating on the surface of polyamide fabrics with different
concentrations. The best performance was noted where pectin and glycidyl methacrylate were in the ratio of 1:1. They have reported a 90% reduction in the microfibers
released in the case of treated fabrics when compared with the untreated fabrics.
The SEM analysis of treated polyamide fabric has shown that the bio-based coating
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4.4.1 Mechanical Finishes
Mechanical finishes like singeing, calendaring, raising, and brushing are usually done
to improve the handle and alter the bulkiness of the fabrics. The shedding behavior
can be varied with different finishes. In the raising process, the surface of the material
is brushed to improve bulkiness and softness. As a result, fibers will be protruding on
the surface which can easily slip from the surface and this can probably increase the
shedding. However, in singeing and calendaring, the protruding fibers are eliminated
and this can cause reduced shedding [54]. Cai et al. studied the effects of mechanical
surface treatments on the shedding behavior of textile materials. In their study, they
analyzed the fleece and plain brushed fabrics and compared them with the fabrics
without surface treatments. In the case of fleece fabrics, the surface fibers are cut by
blades in the shearing process to get the desired surface effect whereas, in the case of
plain brushed fabrics, metal brushes are used to break the surface fibers to produce
the desired effect. They have noticed a significant impact of surface treatment on
the shedding. They have reported that the fabrics which have undergone mechanical
surface treatments have shed a higher number of microfibers than the untreated
fabrics. They have supported their findings with the fact that surface treatments like
shearing and brushing cause the generation of loose surface fibers and also loosen
the yarn and surface structures, thereby increasing the shedding [55].
The other researchers have also reported the same conclusion that the brushing of
fabrics has a significant impact on the shedding. A variety of fabric surfaces can be
obtained with a wide variety of brushing techniques. Though the effect of different
brushing techniques is not studied, it has to be noted that the shedding can be reduced
with reduced brushing [43]. In the other research where the different method of
microfiber extraction (ultrasonication) is done, the same result was obtained. They
have also noticed higher shedding in the case of samples with surface treatments
(fleece and brushed surface) than the untreated sample [47].
4.4.2 Chemical Finishes
Generally, chemical finishes are not responsible for microfiber generation. Usually, in
chemical finishing, the chemicals bind the protrusion in the surface and form a layer
over the fabric surface. Since the protruding fibers are bound within the surface,
the fiber release will be lesser. Certain finishes can be made to reduce shedding
[54]. Some researches have been made to understand the effectiveness of chemical finishes on reducing the microfiber shedding. De Falco Francesca et al. have
studied the effect of pectin-based finishes in reducing the microfiber shedding of
woven polyamide fabrics by padding process. They have provided pectin modified
with glycidyl methacrylate coating on the surface of polyamide fabrics with different
concentrations. The best performance was noted where pectin and glycidyl methacrylate were in the ratio of 1:1. They have reported a 90% reduction in the microfibers
released in the case of treated fabrics when compared with the untreated fabrics.
The SEM analysis of treated polyamide fabric has shown that the bio-based coating