22
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
All the researches which have been made so far have reported a significant difference in the shedding of new and aged garments and noticed higher shedding in the
case of aged garments [13, 21, 28, 59–61]. The shedding of aged garments is found
to be 25–80% more than the new garments [28]. It is attributed to the weakening of
materials due to the changes in the mechanical and chemical characteristics resulted
from aging. Moreover, it can be concluded that the stiffer, harder fibers can cause
more shedding as the aging can make the fibers stiffer and harder [58]. However,
the aging effects are simulated under laboratory conditions. Further, more detailed
researches have to be made in order to understand the effect of real-time aging as
there might be some significant changes in the shedding pattern.
5 Summary and Recommendations
Microfiber shedding of synthetic textile is mainly attributed to the textile characteristics of the fabrics used. It is estimated that the microfibers shed during the manufacturing, usage, and disposal phase of the textile. Though the laundering process is
noted as one of the main processes which release the microfiber, the fabric parameters
decide the amount of fiber release. The types of fibers, yarn types, or yarn manufacturing method, and fabric properties have a higher impact on the microfiber shedding.
Proper control or engineering of yarn, fabric parameters will help in reducing the
microfiber release from the textile. However, very few research works performed
in the textile discipline to control the parameter effectively. Majority of the literature works performed from the environmental science region and the results were
correlated with the textile parameters using literature. But, no direct measurements
were performed still. Hence, it is necessary to perform such research from the textile
domain, to understand the interaction between the textile parameters and microfiber
release from the textile. As many of the literatures reported the mechanical agitation
as the main source of microfiber generation, it is important to correlate the parameters like tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and pilling characteristics. A specific
research by controlling these parameters will provide the real correlation between
microfiber release and the abovementioned parameters.
References
1. Plastic Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (PE, PP, PU, PVC, PET,
Polystyrene, ABS, PBT, PPO, Epoxy Polymers, LCP,PC, Polyamide), By Application, By
Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020–2027. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industryanalysis/global-plastics-market. Accessed 28 Aug 2020
2. Browne MA, Galloway T, Thompson R (2007) Microplastic−an emerging contaminant of
potential concern? Integr Environ Assess Manag 3(4):559–561
3. Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the
marine environment: a review. Mar Pollut Bull 62:2588–2597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar
polbul.2011.09.025
S. Raja Balasaraswathi and R. Rathinamoorthy
All the researches which have been made so far have reported a significant difference in the shedding of new and aged garments and noticed higher shedding in the
case of aged garments [13, 21, 28, 59–61]. The shedding of aged garments is found
to be 25–80% more than the new garments [28]. It is attributed to the weakening of
materials due to the changes in the mechanical and chemical characteristics resulted
from aging. Moreover, it can be concluded that the stiffer, harder fibers can cause
more shedding as the aging can make the fibers stiffer and harder [58]. However,
the aging effects are simulated under laboratory conditions. Further, more detailed
researches have to be made in order to understand the effect of real-time aging as
there might be some significant changes in the shedding pattern.
5 Summary and Recommendations
Microfiber shedding of synthetic textile is mainly attributed to the textile characteristics of the fabrics used. It is estimated that the microfibers shed during the manufacturing, usage, and disposal phase of the textile. Though the laundering process is
noted as one of the main processes which release the microfiber, the fabric parameters
decide the amount of fiber release. The types of fibers, yarn types, or yarn manufacturing method, and fabric properties have a higher impact on the microfiber shedding.
Proper control or engineering of yarn, fabric parameters will help in reducing the
microfiber release from the textile. However, very few research works performed
in the textile discipline to control the parameter effectively. Majority of the literature works performed from the environmental science region and the results were
correlated with the textile parameters using literature. But, no direct measurements
were performed still. Hence, it is necessary to perform such research from the textile
domain, to understand the interaction between the textile parameters and microfiber
release from the textile. As many of the literatures reported the mechanical agitation
as the main source of microfiber generation, it is important to correlate the parameters like tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and pilling characteristics. A specific
research by controlling these parameters will provide the real correlation between
microfiber release and the abovementioned parameters.
References
1. Plastic Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (PE, PP, PU, PVC, PET,
Polystyrene, ABS, PBT, PPO, Epoxy Polymers, LCP,PC, Polyamide), By Application, By
Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020–2027. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industryanalysis/global-plastics-market. Accessed 28 Aug 2020
2. Browne MA, Galloway T, Thompson R (2007) Microplastic−an emerging contaminant of
potential concern? Integr Environ Assess Manag 3(4):559–561
3. Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the
marine environment: a review. Mar Pollut Bull 62:2588–2597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar
polbul.2011.09.025