In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, Mariam Jabbar and her team have ventured into uncharted territory, exploring the potential of natural fibers as sustainable alternatives to cotton in textile manufacturing. The study, which compares blends of flax, hemp, banana, jute, and sisal with cotton under identical conditions, aims to tackle the environmental challenges posed by conventional cotton cultivation.
The research focuses on two blend ratios—80:20 and 60:40—of cotton and alternative natural fibers to create yarns and woven fabrics. These fabrics were then dyed and treated with softener and bio polish to evaluate how these treatments affect mechanical and thermophysical comfort properties.
The findings are compelling. Higher cotton blends exhibited increased tensile and tear strength, with the cotton/sisal blend achieving a maximum tensile strength of 289 N, while the cotton/flax blend displayed the highest tear strength at 11.5 N. “The results indicate that blending natural fibers with cotton not only enhances the sustainability of the textile industry but also improves certain mechanical properties,” Jabbar explained.
Softener and biopolish treatments significantly improved the Relative Hand Value (RHV) by 20% and 30%, respectively, highlighting the potential for enhancing fabric comfort through eco-friendly treatments. The study also revealed that fabric composition predominantly influences drape properties and resilience scores. The cotton/banana blend showed drape values and the cotton/flax blend demonstrated resilience scores that are closer to those of pure cotton than other blends.
The research also underscores the environmental benefits of these blends. “By incorporating natural fibers, we can reduce the environmental footprint of the textile industry,” Jabbar noted. “This not only helps in conserving resources but also mitigates the environmental impact of cotton cultivation.”
The fabric composition improved the air permeability of the samples, with the cotton/banana blend showing the greatest increase, reaching 483 mm/s. The cotton/jute blend exhibited the highest water vapor permeability at 98, while the cotton/sisal and cotton/hemp blends demonstrated moisture management properties with values of 0.76. These findings suggest that natural fiber blends can offer superior comfort and breathability, making them ideal for various applications, including energy-efficient clothing and sustainable building materials.
The study published in the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, which is translated to English as Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, opens new avenues for the textile industry. As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products continues to rise, this research provides a roadmap for integrating natural fibers into mainstream textile manufacturing. The implications for the energy sector are profound, as the development of more sustainable textiles could lead to reduced energy consumption in production and a lower carbon footprint for the industry as a whole. This research not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also paves the way for future innovations in sustainable textile technology.