Multipurpose nonwoven viscose/polypropylene fabrics: Effect of fabric characteristics on sorption and dielectric properties

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 56; no. 12; pp. 947 - 957
• Main Authors: Asanovic, Koviljka A., Cerovic, Dragana D., Kostic, Mirjana M., Maletic, Slavica B., Kramar, Ana D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 15.06.2018
• Subjects: Absorptivity; AC specific electrical conductivity; Bonding; Dielectric permeability; Dielectric properties; effective dielectric permeability; Electrical resistivity; Fabrics; Moisture content; multipurpose nonwoven fabrics; Polypropylene; Pore size; Porosity; Relative humidity; Sorption; sorption properties; Textile composites; viscose/polypropylene
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.24611

ABSTRACT In this work, sorption and dielectric properties of viscose/polypropylene multipurpose nonwoven fabrics were examined. The analysis of sorption behavior showed that the changes of the water absorptive capacity, the height of capillary rise and water retention value are in a function of viscose fiber content, total porosity, the pore size and used web bonding process. It is observed that dielectric properties at frequencies from 30 Hz to 140 kHz, for samples exposed to different relative air humidity and wet samples, are dependent on viscose fiber content, web bonding process, frequency of electric field and bulk free water content. The effective dielectric permeability of wet samples rapidly decreases with an increase in frequency up to 3 kHz while spectra of the AC specific electrical conductivity showed a plateau above 13 kHz. It is also observed that the dielectric properties of wet samples increase by several orders of magnitude compared to dry samples. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 947–957 Viscose fiber content, porosity, pore size, and web bonding process have a dominant influence on the sorption properties of viscose/polypropylene nonwoven fabrics. Changes in dielectric properties are a function of viscose fiber content, web bonding process, frequency of electric field, and water adsorbed in material. Increase in effective dielectric permeability and AC specific electrical conductivity by several orders of magnitude in wet samples as compared to dry samples is influenced by bulk free water in the samples.