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Detonation nanodiamonds are gaining considerable research interest due to their superior hardness, excellent mechanical properties, large surface area and small size. Surface functionality of polymeric, fibrous materials and nanocomposites can be significantly improved by application of nanodiamonds. Although there has been some research on nanodiamonds in polymeric materials and composites available, research on fibrous materials, such as textiles, is limited. We investigated potential improvement in the properties of cotton materials after application of nanodiamonds. Nanodiamonds were applied to cotton fabric using a sustainable dip-coating laboratory technique, which was then characterized for improved functionality in such properties as strength, elongation, thermal stability and surface energy. It was observed that a surface coating of nanodiamonds enhanced the tensile strength of the cotton by 79%, without compromising the flexibility of the substrate significantly, due to the exceptional mechanical properties of the nanodiamond particles and strong bonding between fibers and yarns within the fabric. High thermal conductivity of the nanodiamonds resulted in increased thermal stability and a higher degradation temperature in the coated substrate, when compared with the uncoated cotton fabric. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the coated cotton fabric displayed a coarser surface than the uncoated fabric. Coated fabric also absorbed more energy than uncoated fabric during repeated deformation in abrasion testing, due to presence of nanodiamond which resulted in imporvement of abrasion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new inner-layer fabric was developed with the use of superabsorbent fibre (SAF) or Coolmax® materials for firefighters' protective clothing. These materials have high water vapour absorption and wicking capacity to assist in better moisture management in the microclimate next to the skin, providing improved comfort to the wearer. Results obtained from the water absorption tests confirmed higher absorption. These new inner-layers were tested for thermophysiological comfort properties, such as thermal resistance, water vapour resistance and air permeability. The results indicated that it is possible to improve the comfort properties of the firefighters' protective clothing with the incorporation of SAF or Coolmax® materials into the inner-layer. However, the mechanical properties of the fabric were significantly reduced by the incorporation of these materials into the structure. The performance of all new inner-layer combinations in regard to heat resistance satisfied the requirements for AS/NZS 4967-2009 firefighter's protective clothing, which is essential for adequate protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effect of repeated laundering and dry-cleaning on the physical and thermophysiological comfort properties such as air permeability, water vapour resistance and thermal resistance of fabrics made of meta-aramid (Nomex®) fibre. Two different types of fabric were selected for the study and subjected to repeated laundering and dry-cleaning (1, 5 and 10 cycles), which is commercially used for the care and maintenance of these fabrics. The fabric thickness, areal density, thermal resistance and water vapour resistance values increased with the number of laundering cycles, whereas the air permeability decreased due to the fabric shrinkage and swelling. On the other hand, the thickness and air permeability of the dry-cleaned fabric samples increased with the number of cycles; while the water vapour resistance and thermal resistance decreased. The scanning electron microscopy images showed the structural changes as indicated by the longitudinal fibrillation in the fabrics subjected to laundering or dry-cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]