Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To develop Surgical Spunlaced Fabrics (cotton blends) that meet U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) specifications for Absorbent Gauze. In performance, these fabrics will be equal, if not superior, to Absorbent Gauze (woven) for use in wound care management. To develop a new monograph on Surgical Spunlaced Fabrics for USP. To develop wipes (35-55 gsm). To develop cosmetic pads (210-220 gsm). To develop semi-durable bed sheets (90 gsm). Approach (from AD-416) The manufacturing lines for spunlacing are versatile and highly productive. They produce nonwoven products that are low-cost, highly engineered high quality, and offer superior performance relative to conventional woven products. The spunlacing method of web consolidation is highly attractive for bleached cotton because it preserves the purity of the fiber, retaining cotton's absorbency and strength. The objective of the project is to use cotton blends (with Lyocell, Bicomponent fibers) to develop novel, ecologically benign, surgical spunlaced fabrics, baby wipes, cosmetic pads, and bed sheets (that are biodegradable). The surgical/medical fabrics are meant for covering wounds, and will be constructed and evaluated as per the purity standards of the Absorbent Woven Gauze per U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). New types of baby wipes (dry and pre-moistened), novel premium quality cosmetic pads, and semi-durable bed sheets (to laundering) will be developed and differentiated from those currently available commercially. A cobination of bonding technologies (spunlacing and thermal bonding) is envisaged to increase the fiber bonding (to improve strength properties) with the use of core/sheath bicomponent, polyester/olefin, in the making of bed sheets. The project envisages capturing a 3-4% greater share of cotton in the nonwovens market. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Fleissner GMBH & Company. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house project 6435-41000-094-00D, "Value- Added and High-Volume Cotton Products and Processes." Unfortunately, resources and collaborations with Fleissner GMBH & Company for nonwovens work were limited and, therefore, had to be terminated for the time being.
Impacts
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Publications
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